Floating Village 浮村
October 25, 2024
During our research on the Tonlé Sap Lake area,……
在做暹粒(Siem Reap)旅游攻略时，。。。
October 25, 2024
During our research on the Tonlé Sap Lake area, we learned about several floating villages, some reportedly occupied by stateless Vietnamese refugees. Intrigued by this fascinating history, we decided to visit one of the floating villages and also see a nearby temple before heading to the airport. We arranged the trip with Mr. Nab, the taxi driver who had picked us up from the airport, for a total of $55.
Mr. Nab met us at our hotel at 8 AM and drove us to Kampong Phluk, a floating village primarily inhabited by Cambodians. Upon arrival, we boarded a large tourist boat, paying $20 each for the trip. Surprisingly, we were the only passengers on the boat, which sailed along the channel and stopped at a tourist center. Along the way, we observed the unique architecture of the village, with stilted homes raised 6 to 9 meters above the ground to adapt to the lake’s drastic water level changes between the rainy and dry seasons. Along the shore, we saw numerous idle tour boats, seemingly waiting for more visitors.
Partway through the ride, a young boy, who appeared to be the boat driver’s son, joined us on board. We later disembarked at a floating rest area, which offered food for purchase and paddle boat rides to explore the mangroves and nearby villages. We opted not to take the paddle boat tour and returned to our boat instead.
To our surprise, rather than heading back to the starting point, the boat sailed to the middle of the lake. The driver informed us she needed to wait for five minutes, though she didn’t explain why. Shortly after, a boat carrying snacks and drinks approached us. We weren’t interested in buying anything, but an older woman on the snack boat played a familiar pity trick, claiming the young boy was hungry and needed a snack. Feeling pressured, we paid $5 for a bag of potato chips for the boy.
After our visit to the floating village, Mr. Nab drove us to Beng Mealea, a temple near the airport. This lesser-known site had far fewer tourists than Angkor Wat and had not been restored, giving it a raw and ancient charm. We wandered through the partially collapsed structures, marveling at the overgrown trees and vines reclaiming the temple.
Finally, we headed to the airport, ready for our next adventure. Our time in Cambodia had been extraordinary. Siem Reap and Angkor Wat offered a wealth of cultural and historical experiences, and we highly recommend visiting to anyone curious about Cambodia’s rich heritage.
We arrived at Luang Prabang Airport after dark and paid a fixed taxi fare at the airport counter. Since our B&B was located near the city center and close to the night market, where cars are not allowed to enter, the driver dropped us off on the outskirts of the market. From there, we walked through the bustling market to reach our B&B.
After dropping off our luggage and settling in, we ventured back into the market in search of something delicious to eat. However, the market was overly crowded, and the food stalls didn’t seem very appealing to us. Instead, we opted for a nearby restaurant that primarily catered to foreigners. The food was decent, and it gave us our first taste of Laotian cuisine—a pleasant introduction to the flavors of Lao.
2024年10月25日
在做暹粒(Siem Reap)旅游攻略时，我们了解到在洞里萨湖 (Tonlé Sap Lake)边有几个浮村，其中居住着一些无国籍的越南难民。我们决定参观一个浮村，并顺便去机场附近的一座寺庙。我们请前几天刚飞到暹粒机场时接我们的出租车司机纳布先生 (Mr. Nab) 为我们安排了这次行程，总费用55美元。
早上8点，纳布先生来到酒店接我们，带我们前往主要由柬埔寨人居住的浮村——磅通普鲁克 (Kampong Phluk)。到达后，我们每人支付了20美元的游船票后，登上了一艘小旅游船，就我们三人。在岸边我们注意到许多停泊的旅游船，但大多空无一人，显然游客并不多。沿途我们看到浮村中独特的高脚房屋，这些房屋高达6至9米，以适应雨季和旱季水位的巨大变化。
行程中，一名小男孩登上了我们的船，看起来可能是船夫的儿子。我们在一个漂浮的休息区下船，这里有食物出售，并提供小舟服务，游客可以划船参观红树林和其他村落。我们选择不参加小舟游览，而是直接返回了我们的船。
令人意外的是，船没有返回出发点，而是驶向了湖中央。当浮村从我们眼前彻底消失时船停了下来，船夫告诉我们需要等待五分钟，但并未解释原因。不久，一艘装满零食和饮料的小船靠近了我们。虽然我们没有任何购买的意愿，但零食船上的老妇人用一个常见的伎俩博取同情，说小男孩饿了，给他买点吃的东西吧。于心不忍，我们让小男孩自己挑喜欢的，最终花了5美元给他买了一袋薯片。这时也终于明白船停湖中央的原因了。
参观完浮村后，纳布先生又带我们去了机场附近的崩密列 (Beng Mealea)，一座鲜为人知的寺庙。与吴哥窟相比，这里的游客非常少，而且寺庙尚未修复，呈现出一种原始的古老魅力。我们漫步在部分坍塌的建筑间，感叹树木和藤蔓对寺庙的“接管”，让人仿佛置身于自然与历史交织的画卷中。
最终，我们前往机场，准备开启下一段旅程。暹粒 (Siem Reap) 和 吴哥窟 (Angkor Wat) 提供了丰富的文化和历史体验。我们强烈推荐这些地方给任何对柬埔寨文化和历史感兴趣的人。这是一段令人难忘的旅程。
Angkor Wat 小吴哥
October 24, 2024
Our second day exploring Angkor Wat began early,……
我们吴哥窟之旅的第二天从凌晨4点的早起开始。。。
October 24, 2024
The tour price didn’t include the $62 three-day entrance fee to Angkor Archaeological Park. Our second day exploring Angkor Wat began early, with wake-up at 4 AM. By 5 AM, we arrived at Angkor Wat with other 9 tourists for the sunrise. Along with many others, we gathered at the edge of the pond in front of the temple, standing on waterlogged ground due to the previous night’s rain. While we had high expectations, the sunrise was less striking than anticipated, as the sun rose slightly off-center from the temple.
Sunrise At Angkor Wat 吴哥窟的日出
As the world’s largest religious monument, Angkor Wat stands as a testament to the grandeur of the Khmer Empire. Originally dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu and later converted into a Buddhist site, its intricate carvings depicting ancient Hindu epics were both awe-inspiring and overwhelming in their scale and detail. Despite the limited time, we marveled at the craftsmanship, wishing we could linger longer to absorb its full beauty.
Angkor Wat 吴哥窟
Our next stop was Ta Prohm, a temple left largely unrestored to retain its “jungle temple” atmosphere. Massive spung trees and their intertwined roots enveloped the ancient stone structures, creating a surreal and hauntingly beautiful scene. The temple’s fame as a filming location for Tomb Raider added to its mystique, though we hadn’t seen the movie.
Ta Prohm 塔普伦寺
The final destination of our tour was Angkor Thom, the last great capital of the Khmer Empire. Entering through its monumental gates, flanked by rows of serene faces carved into stone, we were immediately struck by the city’s grandeur. Climbing a few steps to a viewpoint, we admired a detailed Buddha face etched into the side of the structure. The intricate carvings of everyday Khmer life were fascinating, though time constraints once again left us yearning to explore more.
Angkor Thom 吴哥城
The tour deepened our appreciation for Cambodia’s rich history and the architectural and spiritual achievements of the Khmer Empire.
In the afternoon, we returned to the hotel for a short rest before venturing out again. That evening, a tuk-tuk driver took us to a dinner show featuring a buffet of both Cambodian and Western dishes. The highlight was the graceful performances of traditional Cambodian dance, a perfect way to end the day.
Angkor Wat exceeded our expectations, and Siem Reap proved to be a remarkably tourist-friendly city where English and US dollars are widely used. The experience was unforgettable, leaving us in awe of Cambodia’s cultural heritage.
2024年10月24日
这次二日游的费用只是导游和交通运输，并不包括 吴哥考古公园 (Angkor Archaeological Park) 为期三天的门票，价格为每人62美元。我们提前在网上买好票，每到一个寺庙手机扫一下就行。我们吴哥窟之旅的第二天从凌晨4点的早起开始。还是昨天的司机和导游，除了昨天我们五位游客，今天又多了另外六位。早上5点，我们到达著名的吴哥窟 (Angkor Wat)，准备观赏日出。天还没亮，和许多其他游客一样，我们聚集在寺庙前的池塘边。由于昨晚的降雨，地面湿滑，我们脚踩在积水中，寻找最佳位置。尽管我们满怀期待，但日出的景象却没有想象中壮观。一是天气的原因，二是太阳升起的位置略微偏离了寺庙的正中心。
作为世界上最大的宗教建筑，吴哥窟是高棉帝国辉煌成就的象征。它最初供奉印度教主神毗湿奴 (Vishnu)，后来被改为佛教寺庙。寺庙上雕刻的古印度史诗画面不仅令人叹为观止，而且因其规模和细节之精美让人感到震撼。尽管时间有限，我们仍然被这些工艺品深深吸引，真希望能停留更久，细细品味其精妙之处。
接下来，我们来到 塔普伦寺 (Ta Prohm Temple)。这座寺庙几乎保持原貌，没有经过太多修复，以展现其独特的“丛林寺庙”氛围。巨大的榕树和其盘根错节的树根与古老的石头建筑交织在一起，形成一种超现实且令人叹为观止的奇景。这座寺庙因电影《古墓丽影 (Tomb Raider)》的取景地而闻名，我们还未看过这部电影。
离开塔普伦寺前往胜利门(Victory Gate)。以大象的躯体为支撑，门顶上是特有的高棉四面佛。导游让我们从门旁边的小坡爬上去，攀爬几级台阶到达一个观景点，我们得以更清晰地欣赏雕刻在建筑侧面的佛面，也能看到门后面的第四个佛面。此门通往我们此次行程最后一站的吴哥城 (Angkor Thom)，这是高棉帝国的最后一座首都。古都城内寺庙无数，以巴戎寺（Bayon Temple)为中心，其壮丽景象立即让我们感到震撼。穿行在寺庙迷宫般的回廊中，看着回廊璧上雕刻着大量的精美浮雕，听着导游讲解那些雕刻所展现的神话故事和高棉日常生活场景让我们着迷。只可惜时间有限，我们二天的吴哥窟之旅不得不在遗憾中结束。
我们返回酒店稍作休息后再次出发。当晚，一位TukTuk车司机按时来到酒店载我们前往一场包含柬埔寨和西式菜品的自助晚餐秀。传统柬埔寨舞蹈优雅的表演成为整场晚宴的亮点，也为我们的柬埔寨暹粒行画上了完美的句号。
吴哥窟完全没有让我们失望，而 暹粒 (Siem Reap) 作为一座非常适合游客的城市，英语和美元在这里被广泛使用。此次经历令人难忘，让我们对柬埔寨的文化遗产充满敬畏之情。
“Big circle” of Angkor Wat 大吴哥
October 23, 2024
Today, we began a two-day small group tour of Angkor Wat,……
今天，我们开启了为期两天的小团吴哥窟之旅，。。。
October 23, 2024
Today, we began a two-day small group tour of Angkor Wat, costing $45 per person. On the first day, only five of us joined the tour to visit four remarkable temples: Pre Rup, Neak Poan, Preah Khan, and Banteay Srei, collectively known as the “large circuit” of Angkor Wat. Each temple captivated us with its grandeur and intricate beauty, and the well-regulated and organized site ensured a seamless and pleasant experience.
Pre Rup 比粒寺
Neak Poan 涅盘宫
Preah Khan 圣剑寺
Banteay Srei 女王宫
Our knowledgeable guide enriched the visit with detailed explanations, though the sheer volume of information made it difficult to retain everything. These temples, once part of the ancient Khmer Empire’s capital, showcased a harmonious blend of Hindu and Buddhist influences. Their relatively recent rediscovery lent them an authentic charm that stood out from other ancient structures we’ve encountered.
The hot and humid weather was a challenge, but our friendly driver made it bearable. After each stop, he greeted us at the van door with cold water and refreshing eucalyptus-scented towels. Traveling between sites in an air-conditioned van provided much-needed comfort.
On the way back to the city, we stopped at a landmine museum, a sobering reminder of Cambodia’s modern dark history. We ended the day with a lively dinner at Pub Street, wrapping up an unforgettable and deeply meaningful experience.
2024年10月23日
今天，我们开启了为期两天的小团吴哥窟之旅，费用为每人45美元。第一天，我们一共五位游客一同参观了四座令人惊叹的寺庙：比粒寺（Pre Rup Temple), 涅盘宫(Neak Pean),圣剑寺 (Preah Khan Temple) 和女王宫(Banteay Srei Temple), 这些寺庙组成了大吴哥的“外圈”。每座寺庙都以其壮丽的规模和精美的细节让我们惊叹不已，而景区的良好管理也让整个体验十分顺畅愉快。
我们的导游知识渊博，为我们详细讲解了每座寺庙的历史与背景，尽管信息量庞大，难以全部记住。这些寺庙曾是高棉帝国古都的一部分，展示了印度教与佛教元素的和谐融合。它们在近代才被重新发现，因此更显示出其真实与独特，与我们过去见过的其他古代建筑有很大的不同。
炎热潮湿的天气是一种挑战，但我们的好司机每次结束一处景点的参观后，他都会在车门旁递给我们冰凉的矿泉水和带有桉树香味的冷毛巾，再加上车内的空调更是让我们倍感舒适，令行程更加愉快。
返回市区途中，我们参观了地雷博物馆。馆很小却是一段令人警醒的经历，也提醒我们关注柬埔寨近代的悲惨历史。
一天繁忙的行程最终以来到热闹的酒吧街享用晚餐而告一段落。
Travel to Siem Reap 前往暹粒的一天
October 22, 2024
Today marked another exciting and seamless day of travel……
今天, 我们搭乘亚洲航空飞往柬埔寨的暹粒。。。
October 22, 2024
Today marked another exciting and seamless day of travel as we made our way to Siem Reap, Cambodia with AirAsia. Before boarding, we enjoyed a relaxing and rejuvenating break in the airport lounge, thanks to our Priority Pass memberships. The lounge experience was a refreshing interlude, offering delicious and satisfying complimentary food and, best of all, a soothing and invigorating Thai massage that melted away any lingering travel fatigue. Feeling both well-fed and rejuvenated, we were ready to embrace our next adventure in Siem Reap.
We arrived at the modern and pristine Siem Reap airport, which was surprisingly quiet and nearly deserted, with our plane being the only one on the tarmac. We paid $30 for a taxi to the city center, and it was intriguing to see so many taxi drivers waiting in the parking lot, despite the lack of passengers. Once in the taxi, our driver shared insights about the city’s struggles after COVID. He explained how Chinese tourists, who had been the number-one visitors before the pandemic, dropped to fifth place due to negative portrayals on TikTok and other social media platforms. The drive along the smooth and scenic highway from the airport was pleasant, flanked by lush green rice fields, though traffic was notably sparse. Along the way, the driver reiterated the city’s challenge of not attracting enough visitors to Angkor Wat, which left us reflecting on the impact of the pandemic on global tourism.
After settling into our hotel, we ventured out to enjoy our first Cambodian meal. As soon as we stepped outside, we were approached by a friendly TukTuk driver, who initially asked for $4 to take us to the restaurant. After some friendly negotiation, we agreed on $2. The ride in the colorful and surprisingly comfortable electric TukTuk turned out to be a delightful and unique experience, something we were initially hesitant to try but quickly grew to enjoy.
Dinner was decent and reasonably priced, providing a simple but satisfying introduction to Cambodian cuisine. Afterward, we strolled to the night market and Pub Street, where we felt completely safe and relaxed wandering through the city center. (Seeing pub street made it obvious that Siem reap and pub street was a tourist city.)
2024年10月22日
今天, 我们搭乘亚洲航空飞往柬埔寨的暹粒, 是一次令人期待且顺利的旅行日，。在登机之前，我们凭借 Priority Pass 会员去了机场休息室。机场休息室的体验是一段令人耳目一新的间歇，提供了美味可口的免费餐点，更棒的是一场舒缓且振奋身心的泰式按摩，消除了旅途中的疲惫。在充分享受美食与放松后，我们焕然一新，满怀期待地迎接在暹粒的下一段令人期待的旅程。
抵达暹粒时，我们被这座现代化且干净的机场所吸引。令人惊讶的是，机场非常安静，停机坪上只有我们的飞机。我们支付了30美元乘坐出租车前往市中心。让人好奇的是，尽管机场几乎没有其他乘客，但停车场里却有许多出租车司机在等待。上车后，司机与我们聊起了疫情后的城市现状。他提到，在疫情之前，中国游客是暹粒的主要游客，但由于抖音等社交媒体上的负面评价，现在中国游客数量急剧下降，排到了第五位。沿着平坦且风景优美的机场公路前行，道路两旁是郁郁葱葱的稻田，景色怡人，但车流稀少。司机一路上反复提到吴哥窟缺乏游客的挑战，让我们深刻感受到疫情对全球旅游业的冲击。
到达酒店安顿好后，我们出门去享用第一顿柬埔寨美食。刚出酒店，一位热情的嘟嘟车司机便主动上前搭话，原本报价4美元送我们去餐馆，但经过一番友好的讨价还价后，我们以2美元成交。这辆色彩斑斓且意外舒适的电动嘟嘟车为我们带来了一段别开生面的体验，原本有些犹豫的我们很快便爱上了这种独特的交通方式。
晚餐简单但令人满意，为我们初次品尝柬埔寨菜肴开了一个好头。饭后，我们漫步前往夜市和酒吧街，完全放松地徜徉于市中心。看到热闹的酒吧街，暹粒作为一座以旅游为主的城市特色显而易见。这里的氛围轻松又安全，为我们的第一天画上了圆满的句号。