Sophia’s Travel Blog

Reading about both places helped me get an idea of what to expect but to be there and see it was heartbreaking. Thank goodness I met two other travelers at my guesthouse to go with because it would of probably been hard for me if I was alone. It was a depressing and sad experience and I was speechless the whole time. Even the tuk tuk ride home – was absolute silence. I didn’t snap any photos – it just didn’t feel right. Out of respect, I wouldn’t. I thought it was going to be easy to write about it but I really don’t know where to start…..so I figured I’d give a short description of both places.

Tuol Sleng Museum  – Former high school, taken over by the Khmer Rouge in 1975 in which they turned it into a prison of torture (S-21). Between 1975-78 hundred of thousands of people were held there. At this museum, actual pictures of the victims are displayed – some very very very graphic. (The pics will give you an idea of what type of suffering the Cambodian people endured).

Killing Fields of Choeung Ek – Biggest genocide in Cambodia history. The hundred of thousands that were held at S-21 (men, women, children) were taken to Choeung Ek to be killed. (In addition, hundred of thousands more across the country died of famine). Today, half the remains of the people were exhumed and half were left untouched. A memorial stupa was built for those who died at the hands of the Khmer Rouge. (Walking through the fields was quite depressing for me and to hear the children playing in background from the school nearby was making it even harder…..

“The Temples of Angkor – the heart and soul of the Kingdom of Cambodia”

After all the temples I’ve visited throughout SE Asia – None can come close to Angkor Wat! It really doesn’t come any bigger than this. Angkor Wat is one of those places that you have to see before you die! I repeat – have to see before you die! Trust me – you wouldn’t want to miss this divine beauty!! It took me four and a half hours just to walk through the entire temple and try to take in the extensive base-reliefs and structure. That’s how massive and astonishing it is!!

Check out my pics and see for yourself  http://www.flickr.com/photos/sdizon 
(The pictures really don’t do it justice though)

Quick facts about Angkor Wat:

– World’s largest religious monument

– Dated early 12th century

– Built w/ Hindu influences dedicated to Vishnu

– Classical style of Khmer architecture

– Oriented to the West

– Total area almost 200 hectares including the moat that surrounds the it.

– 800 m of intricate narrative base-reliefs w/ nearly 2000 apsaras stretched across the outside of the central temple.

Angkor Wat at sunrise

Thanks for the emails of concern – Just wanted to let you all know that I’ve made it to Cambodia safely via the Poipet border. The Thai/Cambodia conflict that’s being splashed all over the news is taking place at another border crossing.

It took about four and a half hours to get to Poipet from Bangkok. Surprisingly went through the border process pretty smoothly compared to all the stories I’ve read about being scammed. Walking into Cambodia was like walking back in time – it was a quick reminder for me that I was in a third world country.

From Poipet to Siem Reap was another 3 hours by taxi or 6 hours by bus (free). I met a trio from Japan and shared a taxi to Siem Reap at roughly $13 a head. The ride was pretty rough – bumpy dirt road 75% of the way while dodging potholes at the same time…

Anyway, I’ll be starting my first day of exploring the Temples of Angkor at sunrise tomorrow. I can’t wait!

Picture this:

A beach, the full moon is out, house/techno music is bumpin’ at its highest and the beach is filled with thousands of people dressed in one of the following: 1) swim wear 2) costumes [yes there were a few] 3) glow in the dark paint

all holding buckets and that’s the Full Moon Party at Koh Phangan.

Being that it was low season, I’m guessing there was about 10,000 people on the beach that night. At high season you can expect 30+

We started the night off at Kat and Tims resort and then made our way down to the beach around 10:30ish. Started off with a vodka/redbull bucket but decided to stick to beer for the rest of the night because a few of those buckets and I’ll probably be on my way to drunkeness…The Kiwis and I were holding out till sunrise. Surprisingly I hung in there and stayed up for it – the sunrise was of course beautiful. I sat there on the beach and watched the sun rise as fast as it did. At the same time, I was trying to block out the music that was still bumpin’ in the backdrop. With morning out you can see the beach sand covered with glass bottles, buckets, cigarette butts, trash and passed out bodies. My heart and Thank You’s go out to the people who have to pick up after these drunks who were to lazy to toss their trash in a bin.

The gang and I were out of there by 6:30am and I was in bed by 7am. Overall, a very fun and memorable night. Partied with good people – definitely good times!

Kat – remember the talking frog in the bathroom? lol 🙂 I had a blast hanging out and getting to know you guys for a few days – Safe travels back to New Zealand and keep in touch.

Last day in Koh Phangan, a bunch of us got on motobikes and cruised around the island which was awesome minus all the potholes we had to dodge – it was a good end to a good trip. We all leave today and go our seperate ways – I’m catching a ferry and bus back to Bangkok in a few hours- it will be another overnight travel 🙁 Then I catch a bus from Bangkok to the Cambodian Border. Angkor Wat here I come!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sdizon

1) healthy and still going strong mom! No signs of a cold/flu… not even a slight case of the sniffles. I did have a bad sore throat but that lasted for only 3 days.

2) as tan as a penny.

3) the only person traveling (or on this planet) with out a facebook account. (I can’t stress that enough)

4) assuming I’m 2 kilos heavier (3 lbs. give and take) I just can’t stop eating 🙂

5) developing a fondness for techno music because that’s what the discoteques/bars bump in Asia.

6) finishing up my sixth book “Backpack” by Emily Barr

7) still looked upon as a local which is nice (The thai owner of this internet cafe that im currently in writing this blog – started speaking to me in thai when I came in and right after that a foreigner came in and asked me if he can use the internet) 🙂

8.) addicted to fruit shakes – my going rate is three a day.

9) still a main target for mosquitoes of SE Asia. Come on’ guys – give this girl a break!

10) still thinking of ways to extend my travels for a bit longer 🙂 with my bday coming up in November and Christmas….perhaps it might be possible?

Anyway,

I’m currently in Koh Phangan- been here for 4 days now. It took a full day just to get here from Phuket but it was definitely worth it. I’m traveling with a few Kiwis I met back in Phuket (Kat, Tim and Garett) – we’ll be hitting the full moon party tonight with a few others.

Hope all is well back home.

Having a blast in Thailand,
Sophia

Koh Phi Phi is a 2 hour boat ride from Phuket. I did the trip with Einat and Yaron (met them in Phuket) and we decided to share a room together (with three beds of course). We got a guesthouse in the center right across an Irish Pub, which surprisingly was not that bad…. I slept just fine.

In 2004, Phi Phi was devastated by a tsunami where nearly all the infrastructure was demolished. Four years later, the island is still going through some redevelopment. Just a few blocks from our guesthouse there were two massive contruction sites…. Nevertheless, the town center is flowing with many tourist and the beaches are still beautiful.

We did some island hopping on a longtail boat – got to see Phi Phi Leh (famous from the movie “The Beach”), the monkey island, bamboo island and Maya Bay. We pretty much laid out on the beach and snorkled all day – the corals are beautiful and filled with amazing marine life (i should of bought an underwater camera).

Two days in Phi Phi, I’ve spent more money here than any where else in Thailand. You can’t really bargain on any merchandise and the internet is triple the price in comparison to Bangkok. But then again, I rather be here than crazy Bangkok any day. Tomorrow morning, I make my way to the southeast part of Thailand to Koh Phangan for more lounging and snorkeling. 

Another bday shout out to my big sis Susan! Hope you’re enjoying yourself on Guam – Wish I could be there to celebrate with ya! Miss and love you lots!

After an exhausting 16 hours on a bus – I’m finally in Phuket! (pronounced “Pooket”). I got in a few days ago. Took a taxi to my hotel, wipped out my wallet to pay the guy – and lo and behold my money was gone!! OMG! I was robbed 🙁 The funny part of it all is that I know exactly when and where it happened.  In my cheap grungy guesthouse in Bangkok which I booked for just one night at 160 THB ($5). I left my room for 10 mins to grab a shower down the hall and figured I didn’t need to lock my backpack. I was wrong – those sneaky room attendants!! Oh well, Lesson learned.

The bus ride to Phuket was hella long. The first 10 hrs was ok – there were only a few of us on the bus so we got to stretch our selves out on a few chairs. For the last leg of the trip, we all had to cram in a van for 6 hours. It was hot, stuffy and uncomfortable. Next time around, I’d cough up the extra dough for a plane ticket.

I was sharing the van with 6 Brits and an Irish couple. The Brits were talking about their night before in Bangkok – where they were doing “tequila suicides”….

Definition: A tequila suicide is when you “Snort the salt, down the shot, squeeze lime in your eye”

You’re probably thinking – WTF? Yep, I was thinking the same thing. That would explain their bloodshot eyes….

Everything in Phuket cost a bit more in comparison to Bangkok and Chiang Mai. I got a hotel for 650 THB a night. It’s definitely an upgrade from all the guesthouses/hostel I’ve been in that’s for sure. Phuket is gorgeous! Spent the last two days at the beach and met some travelers from Israel. Met up with them last night to take a stab at the Phuket nightlife. Those Israelis definitely know how to party!! Meeting up with them again tonight and then might do some island hopping together in the next couple of days…

That’s right folks. According to the Pad Thai Cookery School of Chiang Mai – I’m an official Master Chef of Thai food. Sweet!! lol…. ok maybe not but my “certificate” says otherwise 🙂

For all of you that know me – you’re probably thinking:

“What? Sophia in a kitchen?”

“Is she planning on wipping up some chicken noodle soup? Scrambled eggs, maybe?”

Ha ha..Very funny. Shall I give you all a moment to laugh? 10 seconds ok? Time starts now…….

So anyway, the class was easier than I thought. I was actually kicking ass! From the chopping to the grilling and I did quite well demonstrating the “fire in the wok” thingy. My favorite dish would have to be Khao Soi (Chiangmai curry noodles) – DELICIOUS! Khao Soi, originally from Burma consists of chopped beef or chicken served in a curry broth with egg wheat noodles, red onions, fresh lime, cabbage and chilli. Topped with fried noodles. For dessert, my fav would have to be the sticky black rice pudding. Thai party at my pad when I get back! All I need is a wok and a mortar and we’re in business!

My last night in Chiang Mai – I experienced being robbed for the first time. Well it was actually my friend Joao’s bag that was taken but I was with him so I felt his pain. We set off on a two seater bicycle to meet up w/ some friends for dinner and out of nowhere, two kids on a motorbike cuts us off and swipes Joao’s bag (that was sitting in the basket) and speds off. Luckily enough – none of Joao’s important docs were in there. It happened so fast that we didn’t get any license plate# and with all the motorbikes running in Chiang Mai – we declared the bag a goner.

I’m back in Bangkok now – I’ll be here for a day and then catch my next bus down South to the beaches. Awwww…. the beaches! I can’t wait. I’ll start off in Phuket.

A BIG HAPPY BIRTHDAY going out to my BIG BRO SHYSAMMYD!! Wish I could be there with you to celebrate – but just know that I’ll be thinking about you! I love you and miss you dearly!!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sdizon

One word to describe my 3 day trek – AWESOMENESS.

When your trek guide wips out a machete and starts making his own trails and calls it a “short cut” – then you know things are going to get interesting 🙂 lol

I was lucky enough to be doing the trek with 4 mates (Sylvain-France, Dan-UK and Reinhart & Floris-Belgium). The guys and I were shacked up in a hut for 2 nights and slept under mosquitoe nets – which was cool. We trekked through forested mountains, acres of rice fields, spent some time with a hill-tribe (Karen Village), bamboo rafted, experienced an elephant ride, snacked on bamboo worms and crickets, sipped on rice whiskey, ate off banana leaves, bathed in the river and listened to “jungle” music the whole time (provided by mother nature herself).

It was a nice getaway – I didn’t miss the world of technology at all.

I got back to Chiang Mai muddy, exhausted, scratched up and bruised but the whole experience was worth it. I got to know a little about the Karen people and their simple way of living and I also got to know 4 crazy guys who I know I will be friends with for a long time.

Hey fellas – I promise I’ll get a facebook account when I get back to the US or when I find time on the road. I will miss our crazy drinking games and late night talks 🙂 Cheers!

I’m sitting at the bus station in Bangkok waiting for my bus to Chiang Mai. All locals here and no backpackers in sight. I was thinking “Shit! Was I sold the wrong bus ticket?” (I bought my ticket through a travel agency and of course they probably sold me the most expensive ticket, although I’m sure riding in an a/c bus is very nice but really not necessary for me with my budget).

So at the station was a line of regular a/c tour buses. I showed the train manager my ticket and he pointed at a bus that was just about to leave….I threw my backpack under the bus and jumped in. Just as we were leaving the station – It turns out that they double booked my seat and there were no more seats available. Fudge! I was cursing the travel agency in my head!

But all worked out in the end – the manager put me on a VIP double decker sleeper bus – fully loaded with a/c, two televisions, recliner seats, a restroom, pillow & blanket, food, drinks and a even a refreshing face towel in the morning. Sweet! The 10 hour ride to Chiang Mai was real nice…I slept like a baby. Now i just hope they screw up my return ticket back to Bangkok… lol just kidding 🙂

I’ll be in Chiang Mai for a week – I’ll be doing some trekking/camping for the next 3 days – so I’m looking forward to that! Might also go further up north to Chiang Rai – but haven’t decided yet.

Shout out to Naoyaki from Tokyo, Japan – It was a pleasure talking to you. Thanks again for the beer and keeping me company for the 6 hours that I had to kill in Bangkok before my bus to Chiang Mai. Keep in touch!

Naoyaki was at the end of his 3 month travel – he spent a month in India, a month in Nepal and now Thailand. He spent $2500 total (that was including his air tickets). Very impressive my friend! Read the rest of this entry »