Hi S’pore SHC members !!
1- As mentioned in my earlier postings – this is my 5th day in Siem Reap Cambodia involved in a village Farm project – though originally was to teach – but the School had been taken over " by many Australian volunteers helping out from A to Z aspects of the village school.
The local director was far-sighted and told me to start a self-sustained Farm etc… projects to be able to get income on their own without relying sloely on current foreign aid ($$$$) which may one day not coming in anymore … !!! I fully agree with them – so we are on our way ……. include sale of local handicrafts etc …..
2- Same time I had taken time to recee the tourists areas …. I shall be back to S’pore for Chinese New Year … and be back again to Siem Reap on 01 March 2011;
3- Any one keen to visit Siem Reap Cambodia from 2 March 2011 – while I am here ?? Book your own flight- I will arrange all lodging + food + tours etc … in Siem Reap + beyond !!! just let me know your days/ nights in S. Reap
Attractions : cheap nice food beer /cigarettes/oil massage/one hour Dr Fish massage @ USD$2 with free beer/drink !
see Angkor Wat + silk Farm + large wild birds sanctury + night markets etc………- travel in open air tuk – tuk
My contact tenmeng@gmail.com
till we meet again – all the best – take care
from TM Fong ( now from S/ Reap )
Hi TM,
Glad to hear that you are in Siem Reap.
Is March 2011 a good month to visit the Angkor Wak?
Any other SHCians keen on this trip? Please raise your hands.
Ivan
Yes I can join you to Siem Reap in March for ‘Dr Fish massage?’ and free beer? See Angkor What? We can also go to the bird sanctuary. Birds can be lovely to watch, they also smell good when deep fried.
TM
Can you let us know more about the organization you are helping. I may lend a hand.
Hi Fong2,
What a meaningful way to spend your retirement years. Do tell us more about your farm project and if you need volunteers, please write to me at kdaae2005@hotmail.com :)
Wishing you success in your farm project and i look forward to your updates.
Cheers,
Hi Fong2.
Congrats on your new calling.
S.Reap does sound interesting and worth a visit. I’m considering. Need more info on airfare/hotel/tourist sights, etc. Anyone else care to share?
Cheers, LydiaChin.
halo bro teng meng ah ,
pls count me & dolly in …been there many moons back…
so senior t.s & ivan lim ai on mai har ???
i am also keen to help out in yr charity work lor….
cheong ah , sam huat huat huat
Wow! I just googled n binged: “things to do when in Siem Reap”.
Looks like plentiful to do, see, eat, touch, feel, be merry etc etc Hahahahaha! …. may be have to stay two weeks to two months duration! Aiya …. how?
Airticket cost: betw SGD275 to SGD778
Hotel cost: betw SGD5 to SGD1800 …….. per nite
Tourist Insight: ???? Let me check check with Tour-guides Mr. GOOGLE and Ms. Bing who are known to be more reliable or like what TM says in his post:
Attractions ==>> cheap nice food, beer / cigarettes / oil massage / one hour Dr Fish massage @ USD$2 with free beer / drink ! see Angkor Wat + silk Farm + large wild birds sanctury + night markets etc………- travel in open air tuk – tuk……..etc
All in all …. I think we need some planning … perhaps, when TM is back to SIN for LNY …. we can iron-out all these with him.
My radar is on and looking out for special/promo fares from Jetstar, Silkair, Thai……….will keep those interested posted…..currently, Silkair/Jetstar about SGD275++, Dates: 02/03Mar —-> 08/09Mar.
Hi Fong Fong
Very interested in your project. Done Angkor Wat etc.
Ivan brought up a good question: is March a good time to visit? Was there a few years ago – forgot which month and was totally fried.
If all’s good, I’ll most probably meet up from Hk direct to Siam Reap.
Will watch this post. Thanks!
Hi TM Fong,
Sounds v interesting. Am also considering and hope that leave is not a barrier. Will look out for updates.
What is the mosquito situation on the farm? There will be mosquitos in the farmland just ??? so that all can go prepared with mozzie sprays etc to lessen the bites.
Ah… dreaming of lots of tasty organic veges, herbs, tree ripened fruits and kampong chickens too. Is this a good dream?
Thank you.
Geok Suan.
Hi Teng Meng,
Thanks for the infos and invitation for us to join you for the Siem Reap in Mar 2011. This is one of the place I would want to visit in my life time. We (wife)would also like join in with the SHC members too for the tour. Would appreciate if you could let know by end of Jan the fixed date for the tour due to our Leave Application/Approval. Will get in touch with you via e-mail. Thanks, take care and enjoy your work and stay.
Sekaran
I just came from a Jetstar Roadshow, and found out that tickets cost $90 (one way) to Siem Reap. Taxes $28. Both way inclusive of taxes will be $236. Travel dates depart 3 Mar, return 10 Mar. But need to book asap. Don’t think we can still get this price in Feb!
Fong, can u pls let us know how much the hotel & tours will cost?
Wow Sekaran!
Long time not hear from you since the Kelong Trip last year!!!
Where have you been hibernating…………
Anyway, glad to see your hands raise for this Siem Reap trip……
Cheers!
Ivan
Lydia @ #10
yep, rule of thumb: with budget airlines, fare gets more exp nearer departure. with full service, the other way
Ivan @ #1
was there in Dec and it was just start of rainy season (but we only had 1 day of rain) so Mar might be ok. google if it is peak season – should be dry then
Morning Andrew #12,
Thanks for the assurance on the weather. Hhhmmmm can “book” for cool weather, evening sun, light wind, medium humidity ….hahahhahaa/kekekekeee…. just kidding with you!
Query: Your (English) guide to Angkor Wat any good? Would you recommend him/her to us?
I believe in March, the tourist season will start peaking downwards …. hopefully the cost will bottom out too on location. Fingers-crossed!
Hi Ivan,
Sorry, I am still employed and was not able to participate actively with SHC activities. However, I do see all the posting atleast twice a week. Would appreciate your help in letting me know on the finalised dates of departure and arrival.
Thankyou
Sekaran
Hi Ivan
Just to contribute from experience regarding visit to Siem Reap in Cambodia. My wife and I visited last month. The weather was something like 40 deg C. The best time to go there is between Dec and Feb. If you go from March to June you will definitely be suffering from the 50 degC heat.This is the advice of my tour guide. Apart from weather conditions it’s worth a visit. Believe me, you will be thankful for we have and happier after seeing the living conditions there. Apart from the Angkor Wat,Tonle Sap lake and floating villages, try to visit the Taprohm Jungle Temple where 600-year old trees grow on top of the temple.
This is my little contribution to this post. If you wish to know more feel free to contact me.
Cheers & have a great Christmas weekend.
Roy Koh Tong Seng
Hi Roy,
Thank you very much for your pointers/info. Actually, we have a few conflicting data in hand. If need be, we will take the necessary precautions. Wishing you a great Xmas weekend too.
Regards,
Ivan
27 Dec 2010
Hi SHC guys & gals !
My apologies for not replying earlier as I
was still on the move – nothing was certain
yet !
I was back in S’pore yesterday after
long road bus trip from Siem Reap into
Bangkok – stayed there few days > then took
bus all the way to S’pore via Hat Yai > Jitra
>Ipoh > KL > Spore= 2 nights 1 day by bus !!!
About Siem Reap :
I am beginning to like it – shall return on 1 March
2011 to :
1- arrange tour around S Reap and Phnom Pehne
2- continue my Farm volunteer project for village
school – today sent them capsium seeds by post!
3- consolidate my contacts in Siem Reap for future
longer stays there – explore the surrounding
Laos / Cambodia ? Central Vietnam – all these
unknown to me yet + also try to set up viable
small business!
I shall update SHC regularly – anyone wanting
to join in – are welcome !!!
From the latest issue of BACKPACKER magazine-
the hottest month in Cambodia is April at 40 C
– wet from June to October > best time visit is
Dec to Feb ( I felt warm most of time – only a
few mornings felt cold winds maybe from China )
4- CURRENT FARM PROJECT: As I said earlier the school
was taken over by many Australian volunteers- teachers
mainly – so the local director asked me to start a farm
project to get revenue for the school – land and actual
planting shall be done by the villagers – we just get
50% of the harvest to sell at restaurants etc…as
capsium is expensive there – so we start with it!
But my volunteer passion is in education of children
and adults esp. in English ! so I shall still continue
with this school – but in the meantime I am looking for
a chance to adopt another village school for voluntering
– Singapore style !So for those SHC members wanting to
help/ volunteer – pls wait till I am successful in this
direction- there is simply NO meaningful place for us in
the current school !!!
Hope I have answered your queries- if need more info / tourS
into these areas – you are welcome to contact me
@ tenmeng@gmail.com.
Thks – HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL ! CHEERS FOR A HAPPY HEALTHLY
LIFE FOR ALL !!!
TM,
As mentioned before in my mail to you, we’ll do our own flight booking from Sin – Siem Reap-Sin. Wld appreciate you provide us with the details on cost for trip eg. hotel room w meals or w/o meals, transport pick up, prog, tips, extra costs incur, etc…
Some say March is very HOT – 50Deg C. You mention good to visit in Mar. Need to check on this.
Hear from you. Appreciate yr help & input. Many tks!!