Translate

  • Home
  • Contact Me
  • Product Reviews
  • Pet-Friendly Places
  • Travel
  • Mountain Climbing
  • Out of Town
  • Out of the Country


If there's one thing I suggest that you confirm before flying out to Cambodia, that is the hotel you're staying in has responded that they're picking you up at the airport. The problems we had in the country was like a domino effect and it started from the failure of our hotel to comply 'cause no one was waiting for us at the airport back then. 


As long as you did a proper research then you should be safe from people who like to take advantage of people. I mean, Cambodia relies heavily on the income they get from Tourism and given that a lot, if not most, of the people travelling there are from Europe and/or Australia then you'd have to be ready for big expenses which apparently is just the regular pricing for them but the amount can be too much for us. There are already a lot of articles about the common scams in Cambodia and ways on avoiding them. Should've known but it's good that you're reading about it now. 

Also, don't convert your money to their currency 'cause they use USD notes for transactions. Kaya masakit sa puso kasi nga US dollars ang gastusan! haha! 


One part of our Cambodia trip annoyed the hell out of us and that's the reason why it took me this long to finally blog about our tri-country experience two years ago. Afterall, the most important thing is we're safe even if our wallets weren't at that time. hahaha! Sheket pa rin pala na almost 70 USD ang nawala sa'min each sa less than two hours but I have to let go para di naman sobrang bias ng next installments ng post na 'to.  

But yea, THIS IS YOUR GUIDE ON HOW NOT TO GET SCAMMED IN CAMBODIA AND IN VIETNAM LINK: HERE.  Fresh na fresh pa nung sinulat ko 'yang post na 'yan kaya maraming feelings... feelings na nilimot na ng panahon kaya keri ko na gawin 'to. HAHAHA! 

Pero sabi nga nila, pera lang 'yun. Mahalaga natuto at maraming alaala. LOLOLOLOL sabihin mo 'yan kay tintin 2017 baka nasampal ka. HAHAHAHA! 



Make sure you're staying in a hotel that is near pub street 'cause that way, you won't need to pay for a tuktuk that will take you here. I don't think there are other places to see here aside from the temples, anyway. Reduce communication with others as much as possible because that just puts you in a more vulnerable situation. Chos. Na-trauma na talaga ko. :))) 


This ice cream is actually one of the good parts of this Cambodia stay and mind you, I can count all the "good parts" using the fingers of my hands. HAHAHA! 


Ganun naman e, di ba? There will be good and bad people everywhere we go so let's just hope that we'll see more of the former whenever we travel or even when we're at our home country. 


There are a lot of shops here selling all sorts of things. I bought a pants 'cause I wanted my look to be legit "I am in Cambodia" only to find out that stores by the temple sell the pants that I bought here for a very very very low price. Cambodia is made for tourists, this place is made for rich tourists. 


Pub street and this market are interesting places especially when you see kind people. Just be careful and be alert with finding out other people's intention with you 'cause nagkalat sila. I wish you a much better Cambodia experience than us.  


It was challenging and draining on some aspects (of our tour) but overall it was a nice country to visit. 

If you ask me now, going back to Cambodia is an idea that wouldn't come from me but something I'd entertain if some of my friends get interested in it - the temple experience were able to balance out all the negatives anyway. And since I'm aware of the things that I should avoid when in their country - I should be fine next time. :)) 


PS I believe though, that the mistakes we made not only in Cambodia but for the whole of our tri-country experience, were an added expense for us but the experience definitely made us better travelers. We've become better planners of our travels... or so I believe that I'm better at it now. 
  • 0 Comments
Tips and guides for travelers in Cambodia and Vietnam.

Being scammed in a foreign country is the perfect way to ruin a vacation. lolz. I think I need to look up for "scams" in each country I am going to visit in the future to prevent myself from experiencing another heartbreak. 

I am not supposed to post my recent out of the country trip yet 'cause I have a lot of backlogs but I consider this urgent. 

I don't know if other nationalities felt ripped off too. The spending was too much for us yet we felt that we had no choice. I don't know. Sort of like we, unknowingly, fell as victims of a syndicated scam (in Cambodia). What do you think?


1. Choose your hostel/hotel wisely.

Make sure that they're going to pick you up at the airport if it's included in what you paid for. I replied our schedule but for some reason, our hotel didn't pick us up. I had to buy a sim card to call them (4 USD) and then had to spend (10 USD) for a taxi ride. Una pa lang, Cambodia ay Scambodia na. Huhu. Should've been more careful. 


This is a lengthy post kinda filled with rants and pictures:)

  • 0 Comments

While it's easy to DIY Ho Chi Minh City, going to other tourist attractions like Mekong Delta, Cu Chi Tunnels etc. is more convenient and budget-friendly when joining a group tour. Since it's comfortable and not too expensive to join one, I knew from the get-go that we are joining a group tour. Lunch and a bottle of water is also included in the package. 


I've done Mekong Delta and Cu Chi Tunnels during my first time in Ho Chi Minh so we decided to join the Buddhist Vinh Trang Pagoda with Mekong Delta Tour this time.  

Cu Chi Tunnel Experience
Mekong Delta Tour


Klook Link: Book your  Full-Day Excursion to Mekong Delta here.

Although it's not a requirement during the Immigration interview, I think it's better to book online especially when it's your first time going out of the country so you'd have a voucher to show the officer just in case he/she asks for it. Apart from the hotel booking confirmation and return ticket, this can serve as a proof that you're touring in Ho Chi Minh and returning to the Philippines after.


We were staying in District 1, HCMC and it was within the scope of free pick-up so we just waited at the hotel lobby for our service.

After an hour or more of driving, we had a stop over here in Mekong Rest Stop. Some spent the time picture taking (like moi), toilet break, and some bought and ate breakfast. 


Weather in Vietnam is just like Philippines.

It was summer when we travelled and it was hot but there were clouds throughout the day and even a rain shower during the afternoon so it was bearable. 


Souvenir Shop

The photos below are from Vinh Trang Pagoda of Tien Giang Province.


Laughing Buddha


There are several statues of Buddha in this area.

I like visiting temples so here are other Buddhist temples that I've gone to: 

Buddhism
Temple
Buddha

Most of the posts are from temples in South Korea.


Reclining Buddha

The first time I saw this was in Wat Pho, Bangkok. I wasn't able to blog about it and I only knew that I didn't when I was looking for the link. Haha! Hope the universe leads me to seeing more Reclining Buddha in this life. 😂 I should probably post my tour in Ayutthaya 'cause there was also a Reclining Buddha there.




The design of the pagoda is a combination of Chinese, Vietnamese, and Cambodian. Our guide even said that it resembles Angkor Wat. What do you think?

Siem Reap, Cambodia: Angkot Wat Tour


Wasn't able to resist and bought an order of Chuoi Nep Nuong. This is banana wrapped in sticky rice then grilled. It is served with a coconut sauce but I decided not to get that since it was early in the morning. 



After a short bus ride, we arrived at the port. Our tour guide explained the summary of all the places that we will be visiting that afternoon, we had a short toilet break, and headed straight to the ferry. 


This was the our boat. 

 I honestly don't remember if it was the same kind of boat that we rode back in 2017. The river water was calm so no seasickness even if we rode boat and ferry multiple times for that tour.



On the way to Unicorn Island

Our tour guide explained well though I seldom paid attention. lol HAHAHA. I was looking at the view and I was thinking of Cambodia when we were here in Mekong Delta especially when he told us that heading upstream will lead us to Cambodia. Oh no. Thank you. 

It's possible that I'm never going back to Cambodia but if I find myself there again, I would definitely opt to book tours via Klook as well and never DIY. HAHAHA. So much trauma for a few hours experience in Tonle Sap but I learned a lot during that trip. I wouldn't be the traveler that I am now if not for Cambodia. HAHAHA. I know that this is Vietnam tour but I can't not think of Cambodia whenever I talk about Mekong Delta. 😂😂😂 Grabe. Ramdam ko pa rin 'yung trauma habang sinusulat ko 'to. 



These fruits are part of the package and visitors are serenaded with Vietnamese songs while eating. Bring extra money when going here 'cause there will be a lot of souvenir shops and tipping to do although it's not gonna be too expensive. 



Rode the small boat through the smaller canals and palm trees of Mekong Delta. Quite the experience since I didn't get to wear that hat during my first time visiting here.


If you like royal jelly and bee pollen then stock up here 'cause my sister said that the bee pollen was a lot cheaper than buying here in Manila.



Definitely not for people with bee allergy. 




Coconut candy and coconut products are also famous in this place. It's just that coconut products aren't that special for me since we have a lot of those in the Philippines too. haha!



Wine with Poisonous Snake

I haven't tasted this yet. A blogger friend of mine also went to Ho Chi Minh and she posted that their group was given free sample of this to taste. 



One of my favorite photos in Ho Chi Minh. <3


There's a mini zoo in the vicinity of the restaurant. I think you can feed this crocodiles for a fee as well. 



Fried Elephant Ear Fish or Giant Gourami is the main dish but there was pork and chicken dishes as well. 

The food served here are the same for all tourists but it's more delicious than what I remembered having before. There's rice but there's also rice paper and rice noodles should you prefer to eat this wrapped like a fresh spring roll. 

During the booking, you are asked to input your allergies and food restrictions if you have any for the restaurant to adjust when you arrive.


Rain shower after we ate our lunch so it took sometime before we were able to head back to the boat.


Back to Ho Chi Minh we go.


Going back to Ho Chi Minh took a longer time because of the traffic congestion but I was asleep most of the travel time so I didn't really notice the length.

We were again dropped off at our hotel.

It's good to choose hotels near the city center of Ho Chi Minh so you're close to most of the attractions. 


Klook Link: Book your  Full-Day Excursion to Mekong Delta here.

Everything, in time. 💖

Personal Instagram | Travelling Through Food | Denden's Baking Room 

Klook.com
  • 0 Comments



Aside from the Angkor Wat and Ta Phrom, I've already forgotten the names of the other temples and I don't want to research about them now so I'll just put everything I know and experienced here from that one day trip around the temples of Siem Reap. 


We have booked a service the day before and since the main reason why people go to Cambodia is to visit these temples, you'd have everyone offer you tours. The best choice you have is finding a good hotel 'cause they definitely have a reliable contact there.

Above is the rate for the one day entry pass to the temples - it's 37 USD per person in 2017. You'd have your photo ID taken here and then printed out on the pass which you'll be showing to the temple guards before entering. 



We arrived here before sunrise. We already ate breakfast since it was prepared as a takeaway by the hotel staff. It was cloudy so we didn't witness the best sunrise you can experience in Angkor Wat. You know that sunrise when the sun kinda looks like it's rising from the temple. Beautiful.


 The experience was beautiful nonetheless. Not everyday you get to watch sunrise from this place eh.



We walked around the temple temple area and it feels like entering a fantasy world tbh. It was magnificent plus the fact that they are thousand years of age (12th century) make this visit very memorable. I like visiting places that are declared as a UNESCO World Heritage site. For the Philippines, I think I have three I haven't visited yet. 


We went there on a perfect day weather-wise. It was nice touring around the temples and seeing people of different nationalities. Ito na ata 'yung lugar na napakaraming tourists, as in halos tourists lang makikita mo everywhere. 


During the fall of Khmer Empire, the temples were neglected. They were re-discovered years after and to this day (Sige, nung 2017) rehabilitation on parts were still on going. But I've said, they rely heavily on Tourism (third largest sector) as foreign tourists arrival has been growing every year so they maintain the temples now.


Ganda sa pictures, infairness.

Despite the number of tourists, the entire complex is huge so you won't see a lot of people walking with you unless you decide to form lines going up the viewing areas.


We stopped for a bit to take photos at this bridge. For people who like to explore on their own, with caution they can rent motorcycles that they can use for the entire day. I'm not sure how that goes but yea, I've seen foreigners with their motorbikes. 


Don't remember which temple are the photos taken from 'cause I have all the photos of Cambodia mixed up in my backlogs and I'm too lazy to look for the Cambodia folder in my hard drive. Pretty sure you'll see these anyway when you go there. 


Thousands of years later, the sculptures in the whole temple area are still beautiful. 




Taray ng pictures, diba para kang nasa set ng movie but most importantly, ang amazing isipin na 'tong mga lugar na 'to e 12th century pa ginawa tapos sa ibang bansa pa saka at one point of my life e napuntahan ko. 


"But today, tomorrow, and the day after next, I’ve chosen to see the road ahead as a promise of hope and of possibility. And I’m going to trust that path—wherever it may lead. I know that my Father will lead me, and I know that wherever I am is where I’m meant to be. I know that there is so much that lies right outside my realm of control and comfort zone, and I’m choosing to embrace all those things with a smile on my face." 


Wear comfortable clothes when visiting this place 'cause it's huge and you have to walk a lot. 


At first, the experience we had after this temple run made us dislike Cambodia but upon seeing these photos and the photos from Pub Street, it was not bad afterall. Sobrang hirap lang din kasi alalahanin ng Cambodia without thinking of Tonle Sap. AHAHHA! But for the Temple experience, definitely worth it! 


I think the picture above was taken at the temple where they shot the movie Tomb Raider - Ta Phrom. The most distinctive feature of this place are the huge trees and roots growing out of the walls. It's like nature was trying to redeem the entire place but then they just decided co-exist.


We were taking photos then someone approached us and told us that he can help us take photos. He took pretty nice photos 'cause he knew the photo spots just that I've no copy of the photos in my laptop anymore so I'm not able to post everything.  Btw, we gave the guy a tip 'cause it looked like it was his livelihood. 





View this post on Instagram


A post shared by Tin Gallemaso (@xtintina) on Jul 18, 2017 at 4:36am PDT





How not to get scammed in Cambodia and Vietnam link: here.
  • 0 Comments
Next Posts Home

Search This Blog

Featured Post

All The Places I've Visited in Japan (three trips so far)

I'll be doing an index post of all the places I've visited in Japan. This will be a long post and hopefully gets longer as time pass...

Klook.com

Popular Posts This Week

  • Product Review: Zenutrients Leave-In Conditioner and CGM Update
  • Fight For My Way Shooting Location: Apartment (Namil Villa), Busan
  • EastWest Bank's Basic Savings Account
  • Boracay: Cujo's Keyhole in Boracay New Coast
  • Innisfree No-Sebum Mineral Powder and Blur Powder Review
  • Busan, South Korea: Jang Mountain's Stream of Rocks
  • South Korea Sojourn: Day 1-2: Beginning
  • Mie, Japan: Nabana No Sato - Japan's Best Winter Illumination
  • Bossing's Grill, Ali Mall, Cubao
  • Product Review: Etude House's Fixing Tint in Soft Walnut

Blog Archive

  • ▼  2025 (1)
    • ▼  May 2025 (1)
      • Mie, Japan: Nabana No Sato - Japan's Best Winter I...
  • ►  2024 (28)
    • ►  October 2024 (1)
    • ►  September 2024 (4)
    • ►  August 2024 (5)
    • ►  June 2024 (1)
    • ►  May 2024 (4)
    • ►  April 2024 (7)
    • ►  March 2024 (2)
    • ►  February 2024 (1)
    • ►  January 2024 (3)
  • ►  2023 (41)
    • ►  December 2023 (4)
    • ►  November 2023 (3)
    • ►  October 2023 (1)
    • ►  September 2023 (6)
    • ►  August 2023 (4)
    • ►  July 2023 (1)
    • ►  June 2023 (4)
    • ►  May 2023 (4)
    • ►  April 2023 (2)
    • ►  March 2023 (4)
    • ►  February 2023 (8)
  • ►  2022 (3)
    • ►  November 2022 (1)
    • ►  August 2022 (1)
    • ►  April 2022 (1)
  • ►  2021 (18)
    • ►  May 2021 (4)
    • ►  April 2021 (3)
    • ►  March 2021 (3)
    • ►  February 2021 (3)
    • ►  January 2021 (5)
  • ►  2020 (44)
    • ►  December 2020 (2)
    • ►  November 2020 (4)
    • ►  October 2020 (1)
    • ►  September 2020 (4)
    • ►  August 2020 (2)
    • ►  July 2020 (3)
    • ►  June 2020 (8)
    • ►  May 2020 (1)
    • ►  March 2020 (2)
    • ►  February 2020 (10)
    • ►  January 2020 (7)
  • ►  2019 (113)
    • ►  December 2019 (3)
    • ►  November 2019 (7)
    • ►  October 2019 (15)
    • ►  September 2019 (11)
    • ►  August 2019 (11)
    • ►  July 2019 (18)
    • ►  June 2019 (13)
    • ►  May 2019 (6)
    • ►  April 2019 (11)
    • ►  March 2019 (4)
    • ►  February 2019 (5)
    • ►  January 2019 (9)
  • ►  2018 (66)
    • ►  December 2018 (2)
    • ►  November 2018 (7)
    • ►  October 2018 (2)
    • ►  September 2018 (2)
    • ►  July 2018 (6)
    • ►  June 2018 (18)
    • ►  May 2018 (6)
    • ►  April 2018 (8)
    • ►  March 2018 (6)
    • ►  February 2018 (3)
    • ►  January 2018 (6)
  • ►  2017 (100)
    • ►  December 2017 (2)
    • ►  November 2017 (5)
    • ►  October 2017 (10)
    • ►  September 2017 (5)
    • ►  August 2017 (9)
    • ►  July 2017 (16)
    • ►  June 2017 (13)
    • ►  May 2017 (8)
    • ►  April 2017 (7)
    • ►  March 2017 (9)
    • ►  February 2017 (6)
    • ►  January 2017 (10)
  • ►  2016 (163)
    • ►  December 2016 (7)
    • ►  November 2016 (11)
    • ►  October 2016 (25)
    • ►  September 2016 (23)
    • ►  August 2016 (22)
    • ►  July 2016 (16)
    • ►  May 2016 (2)
    • ►  April 2016 (9)
    • ►  March 2016 (14)
    • ►  February 2016 (19)
    • ►  January 2016 (15)
  • ►  2015 (108)
    • ►  December 2015 (5)
    • ►  November 2015 (8)
    • ►  October 2015 (13)
    • ►  September 2015 (8)
    • ►  August 2015 (9)
    • ►  July 2015 (10)
    • ►  June 2015 (9)
    • ►  May 2015 (10)
    • ►  April 2015 (8)
    • ►  March 2015 (12)
    • ►  February 2015 (9)
    • ►  January 2015 (7)
  • ►  2014 (137)
    • ►  December 2014 (10)
    • ►  November 2014 (15)
    • ►  October 2014 (9)
    • ►  September 2014 (12)
    • ►  August 2014 (8)
    • ►  July 2014 (8)
    • ►  June 2014 (13)
    • ►  May 2014 (9)
    • ►  April 2014 (16)
    • ►  March 2014 (12)
    • ►  February 2014 (14)
    • ►  January 2014 (11)
  • ►  2013 (161)
    • ►  December 2013 (7)
    • ►  November 2013 (12)
    • ►  October 2013 (14)
    • ►  September 2013 (9)
    • ►  August 2013 (8)
    • ►  July 2013 (11)
    • ►  June 2013 (12)
    • ►  May 2013 (8)
    • ►  April 2013 (14)
    • ►  March 2013 (19)
    • ►  February 2013 (31)
    • ►  January 2013 (16)
  • ►  2012 (161)
    • ►  December 2012 (20)
    • ►  November 2012 (13)
    • ►  October 2012 (16)
    • ►  September 2012 (9)
    • ►  August 2012 (13)
    • ►  July 2012 (12)
    • ►  June 2012 (11)
    • ►  May 2012 (16)
    • ►  April 2012 (16)
    • ►  March 2012 (5)
    • ►  February 2012 (11)
    • ►  January 2012 (19)

Labels

Out-of-the-Country Out-Of-Town USA Korea South Korea Blog Event Japan Matcha Mountain Climbing Busan Seoul Park Seo Joon Taiwan Macau Singapore Thailand Vietnam Malaysia Nevada Las Vegas Cambodia Indonesia Pet-Friendly CGM Seventeen Dubai Event Haul Myanmar

Follow Us

  • Personal Instagram

Report Abuse

instagram

Klook.com

Created By ThemeXpose | Distributed By Blogger

Back to top