We started out the day at a all you can eat breakfast buffet for $2.75 a person. We then got on tuk-tuks ($10 for all morning for each one) and went to the Tuol Sleng Museum (admission $1) to learn about the horrible Pol Pot regime. We then went the 15km to the Killing Fields (admission $2). There is a monument with thousands of skulls that were found in mass graves. Many of the mass graves have not even been uncovered. We then went to the Russian Market () where Jeremy got a really big backpack for around $20 and the kids got a few souvenir items.
We ate lunch at Boat Noodles. I have my favorite sweet and sour chicken! After lunch we went to the National Museum. It was cool to see some of the statues that they removed from Angkor Wat to protect them from looters.
After the museum we thought about going to the Royal Palace but decided to skip it.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Day 8 - Travel to Phnom Phen
We woke up at 4:30 am to be read to be picked up at 5am - all to see the sunrise at Angkor Wat. It was a pretty good sunrise but it sure did make us tired for the rest of the day.
We had breakfast at one of the small places by Angkor Wat and it was expensive by Cambodia. Many of the plates were $4-5.
After lunch, our tuk-tuk drivers took us out to the floating villages of Chong Khneas. At first you think you are on a ride from Disney with all the awesome scenery. You then realize people are trying to live and we are staring at them while they are eating, playing with their kids, or fishing. It was maybe a bit sad that we pay to see them. I hope some of the money for the boats go towards them.
We went for lunch at a Mexican restaurant in Siem Reap. The food was not bad but Emme was exhausted.
We booked a 5 hour van trip to Phnom Phen through our guesthouse. It was $10 a person and it was OK. The road was worse than I expected but made it alive in 4 1/2 hours.
The bus drop point was only 2 blocks for our guesthouse so we walked to it. We arrived at Water View in Phnom Phen. I stayed here during our week without walls trip from ICS so I know I liked the people. We found a place for dinner down the street and then came back and played on the computers and rested.
We had breakfast at one of the small places by Angkor Wat and it was expensive by Cambodia. Many of the plates were $4-5.
After lunch, our tuk-tuk drivers took us out to the floating villages of Chong Khneas. At first you think you are on a ride from Disney with all the awesome scenery. You then realize people are trying to live and we are staring at them while they are eating, playing with their kids, or fishing. It was maybe a bit sad that we pay to see them. I hope some of the money for the boats go towards them.
We went for lunch at a Mexican restaurant in Siem Reap. The food was not bad but Emme was exhausted.
We booked a 5 hour van trip to Phnom Phen through our guesthouse. It was $10 a person and it was OK. The road was worse than I expected but made it alive in 4 1/2 hours.
The bus drop point was only 2 blocks for our guesthouse so we walked to it. We arrived at Water View in Phnom Phen. I stayed here during our week without walls trip from ICS so I know I liked the people. We found a place for dinner down the street and then came back and played on the computers and rested.
Day 6 - Siem Reap
The big temples of Siem Reap
We walked down the road to a pizza place (that served western breakfast) for breakfast.
We found tuk-tuk drivers for $14 for each tuk-tuk for the day. We started out the day at the gate to Angor Thom. We visited Bayon with the many faces, Baphuon, Primeanakas, Terrace of the Elephants, and Terrace of the Leper King.
After that we saw Pro Tem with the Tomb Radar Tree.
After lunch, we went to Angkor Wat. It was raining but it was still a magnificent sight.
After that, we were exhausted for all our walking and went back to the guesthouse to rest!!!
We walked down the road to a pizza place (that served western breakfast) for breakfast.
We found tuk-tuk drivers for $14 for each tuk-tuk for the day. We started out the day at the gate to Angor Thom. We visited Bayon with the many faces, Baphuon, Primeanakas, Terrace of the Elephants, and Terrace of the Leper King.
After that we saw Pro Tem with the Tomb Radar Tree.
After lunch, we went to Angkor Wat. It was raining but it was still a magnificent sight.
After that, we were exhausted for all our walking and went back to the guesthouse to rest!!!
Day 5 - Bankok, Thailand to Siem Reap, Cambodia
The day of the infamous journey across the border started just fine. At 5am we got taxis to the train station. We each got tickets to the border town for less than 50 baht each. The 5:55 am train reached the town about 11:35am. The countryside was amazing. When we got off, we got offered tuk-tuks to the border for 80 baht. Not a bad price so we hopped right on. He did try to take us to a tourist stand and then to the consulate. I said no and he headed to the border.
The border crossing took longer than I thought. The Thailand immigration line was very long and it took a good 30 minutes to get inside. We then had a hard time figuring out what to do. They made us stop at a temperature check and we all passed. We saw a sign to the right for visas on arrival. I refused to pay the bribe they asked for (100 to 600 baht depending on the time they asked) and they eventually took the passports. We then walked on and saw another place where we checked into Cambodia. We were then surrounded by taxi drivers. The first offer was $45 a taxi (and we needed two). We tried to walk into town instead of heading to their taxi location somewhere in the middle of nowhere. Town was hot and we didn't see much. Finally we settled on the $40 taxi. We had them stop at a restaurant along the way as we were really hungry. They did stop right inside Siem Reap and hand us over to other cars who brought us to the guesthouse. We only paid once we were at our guesthouse.
Our guesthouse was Babel Siem Reap. They are really nice and helped us plan lots of stuff to do. The inside does not have aircon and so it is quite hot and took a good day for our room to feel as cold as I like. Despite that small problem, everything is clean, well run, comfortable, and nice.
We walked to a little pizza place for supper and called it a night.
The border crossing took longer than I thought. The Thailand immigration line was very long and it took a good 30 minutes to get inside. We then had a hard time figuring out what to do. They made us stop at a temperature check and we all passed. We saw a sign to the right for visas on arrival. I refused to pay the bribe they asked for (100 to 600 baht depending on the time they asked) and they eventually took the passports. We then walked on and saw another place where we checked into Cambodia. We were then surrounded by taxi drivers. The first offer was $45 a taxi (and we needed two). We tried to walk into town instead of heading to their taxi location somewhere in the middle of nowhere. Town was hot and we didn't see much. Finally we settled on the $40 taxi. We had them stop at a restaurant along the way as we were really hungry. They did stop right inside Siem Reap and hand us over to other cars who brought us to the guesthouse. We only paid once we were at our guesthouse.
Our guesthouse was Babel Siem Reap. They are really nice and helped us plan lots of stuff to do. The inside does not have aircon and so it is quite hot and took a good day for our room to feel as cold as I like. Despite that small problem, everything is clean, well run, comfortable, and nice.
We walked to a little pizza place for supper and called it a night.
Day 4 - Bangkok (to Floating Market and Weekend Market)
We took a morning bus with 10 people to the Floating Market. It was about 1 1/2 hour drive through beautiful countryside. At the market we got on a large boat with a motor to get closer to the market and then we got on a paddleboat. Anytime you made a comment about something, the seller would pull your boat towards him/her with their long stick. It was filled with tourists but still quite fun.
After we returned to Bangkok, we went to the Weekend Market. We were hoping to see some exotic animals but only saw cats, dogs, birds, and squirrels. It was a busy happening place. If you ever want to buy inappropriate t-shirts this is the place to be.
Once we got back to Bangkok, we walked down KhaoSan Road where all the backpackers hang out. We didn't stay long but found a Subway for dinner at the end of the road.
It was our last night in Bangkok.
After we returned to Bangkok, we went to the Weekend Market. We were hoping to see some exotic animals but only saw cats, dogs, birds, and squirrels. It was a busy happening place. If you ever want to buy inappropriate t-shirts this is the place to be.
Once we got back to Bangkok, we walked down KhaoSan Road where all the backpackers hang out. We didn't stay long but found a Subway for dinner at the end of the road.
It was our last night in Bangkok.
Day 3 - Bankok (to Kanchaburi)
We took a tour with Good Times tours. We were picked up at the guesthouse at 6am. Our guide was named Fanta and the kids liked him a lot! We arrived at Erawan Waterfall at 9am. There are 7 levels to the waterfall but we only made it to the 4th. The kids were a little nervous about swimming with the fish at level 2 but we all had a great time sliding down rocks on level 4. The fish only sucked on you when you stayed still! We ate a Thai lunch by the waterfall.
We then we to an elephant camp. We got to ride elephants for about 30 minutes. Emme and Luke actually got to sit on its neck. It even walked through the river while we were on it.
Next, we went on bamboo rafts down the River Kwai. During most of our journey, we actually jumped in the river and swam close to the raft.
We then took the Death Railway for about 30 minutes. We were then taken by van to the Bridge over River Kwai. After that, we called it a day and headed back to Bangkok. (We ordered McDonalds for dinner.)
We then we to an elephant camp. We got to ride elephants for about 30 minutes. Emme and Luke actually got to sit on its neck. It even walked through the river while we were on it.
Next, we went on bamboo rafts down the River Kwai. During most of our journey, we actually jumped in the river and swam close to the raft.
We then took the Death Railway for about 30 minutes. We were then taken by van to the Bridge over River Kwai. After that, we called it a day and headed back to Bangkok. (We ordered McDonalds for dinner.)
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Day 2 - Bangkok
We woke up early and took the river taxi to Wat Po. We saw the giant reclining buddha. It was really large!!!
We walked to the Royal Palace. At the first gate, they said it was closed for Buddha day and a guy with a gun walked up the gate. We walked down the street and eventually found the real entrance. We were not dressed appropriately so I had to rent a sarong to wear. Jeremy walked across the street to buy some bright purple elephant pants. Drew also had to borrow some pants. The entrance fee was more than I had read (350 baht). The emerald Buddha was smaller than I expected. The Royal grounds were large and it was hot. It was quite grand!
After the palace, we took a tuk-tuk to the train station and bought tickets for Ayuthaya. It was a 1 1/2 hour journey. The ticket was 15 baht for adults and 8 for kids. It is a nice train station and the journey was great even though the train is not air conditioned. Once we arrived, we got a tuk-tuk for 3 hours for 700 baht. He drove us around to many temples.
We took the train back to Bangkok and called it a night.
We walked to the Royal Palace. At the first gate, they said it was closed for Buddha day and a guy with a gun walked up the gate. We walked down the street and eventually found the real entrance. We were not dressed appropriately so I had to rent a sarong to wear. Jeremy walked across the street to buy some bright purple elephant pants. Drew also had to borrow some pants. The entrance fee was more than I had read (350 baht). The emerald Buddha was smaller than I expected. The Royal grounds were large and it was hot. It was quite grand!
After the palace, we took a tuk-tuk to the train station and bought tickets for Ayuthaya. It was a 1 1/2 hour journey. The ticket was 15 baht for adults and 8 for kids. It is a nice train station and the journey was great even though the train is not air conditioned. Once we arrived, we got a tuk-tuk for 3 hours for 700 baht. He drove us around to many temples.
We took the train back to Bangkok and called it a night.
Day 1 - Bangkok
We traveled from Singapore to Bangkok (2 hours and 20 minutes) with Tiger Airlines. It is a "budget" airline but the flight was fine. Once we arrived we ate downstairs. It was difficult remembering the conversion rates. (Wait, why is my spring rolls 55 baht? OK, that is less than $3). We didn't know we needed coupons (bought by the door until after we ordered). We needed a taxi and tried to follow the signs to the public taxis. I don't think we ever made it. We got to a desk outside and she said 400 baht for each taxi or 700 for a large one. (We did not take another taxi ride during our stay for over 120 baht.) I don't know if it is possible to use a metered taxi from the airport but that is what you want if you can find it.
We checked into our guesthouse called Roof View Place. It looked a little scary based on the surrounding street but once we checked in, we really liked it (except for the terribly uncomfortable beds).
We walked to the river taxi and took it from 14 (Rama 8 bridge) to 8 (by the Royal Palace) for 9 baht (although the next day the same trip was 11 baht). We then walked up the pier and down the next one where we took at ferry across the river for 3 baht each. We went and explored Wat Arun (Temple of the Dawn). It was very cool and we had fun walking up and down the steps.
We then got back on the ferry and back on the river taxi and took it down to central. We walked around and tried to find the skytrain but couldn't. We eventually found a good place to eat (after being taken by a tuk-tuk to an expensive restaurant and having to walk from there). We found the skytrain and took it for a bit but it was not so exciting after having a MRT in Singapore. We took a tuk-tuk back to our guesthouse and called it a night
We checked into our guesthouse called Roof View Place. It looked a little scary based on the surrounding street but once we checked in, we really liked it (except for the terribly uncomfortable beds).
We walked to the river taxi and took it from 14 (Rama 8 bridge) to 8 (by the Royal Palace) for 9 baht (although the next day the same trip was 11 baht). We then walked up the pier and down the next one where we took at ferry across the river for 3 baht each. We went and explored Wat Arun (Temple of the Dawn). It was very cool and we had fun walking up and down the steps.
We then got back on the ferry and back on the river taxi and took it down to central. We walked around and tried to find the skytrain but couldn't. We eventually found a good place to eat (after being taken by a tuk-tuk to an expensive restaurant and having to walk from there). We found the skytrain and took it for a bit but it was not so exciting after having a MRT in Singapore. We took a tuk-tuk back to our guesthouse and called it a night
SE Asia trip (with three kids)
We are traveling through Asia and I would like to share some details about our trip over the next 15 posts.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Adventure
We took Drew to a church camp this morning. It lasts until Sunday afternoon. I believe he is the only kid who is not a local Singaporean. Please pray that he finds some friends, eats some of the food, and learns more about God.
I leave for Cambodia in the morning with 2 other adults and 15 high school students. We will be painting 2 orphanages. Please pray for our safety and for the students to see that they can make an impact on the poverty. Pray they the orphans (who have been raised by the church) make an impact on our students.
Jeremy will have the kids by himself all week. Pray that they have a great week.
Thank you.
Sabrina
I leave for Cambodia in the morning with 2 other adults and 15 high school students. We will be painting 2 orphanages. Please pray for our safety and for the students to see that they can make an impact on the poverty. Pray they the orphans (who have been raised by the church) make an impact on our students.
Jeremy will have the kids by himself all week. Pray that they have a great week.
Thank you.
Sabrina
Monday, March 30, 2009
Saturday, February 7, 2009
International Night at ICS
International Community School in Singapore has students from over 25 countries. This last week we celebrated the many cultures present in our school.
The elementary students are getting ready to perform!
The elementary students are waiting to get their "passports" to visist all the "countries".
Everyone walked around campus to visit various "countries", eat their food, and play their games!
Here are a few of my wonderful students!
Our kids had a great time too!
The elementary students are getting ready to perform!
The elementary students are waiting to get their "passports" to visist all the "countries".
Everyone walked around campus to visit various "countries", eat their food, and play their games!
Here are a few of my wonderful students!
Our kids had a great time too!
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Back in school
We started back to school yesterday! (Yes, we had a three week break!) Here is a picture of my classroom (where I spend my days).
Friday, January 2, 2009
Teaching with NICS
Network of International Christian Schools is now beginning to post openings for next school year. Please check out their link on the right if you might be interested in going overseas to teach for two years. You will miss home but it is a wonderful experience. We are able to openly share our faith with students who have not heard about Christ. We are able to help disciple those who are Christians. We are able to be of service to other missionaries in Singapore who need a place of education for their children. We are thankful for this opportunity!!
We love Indian food!!
Sometimes we cannot decide what to eat but we can never go wrong with a good Indian restaurant. (There is no silverware to mess with. Just use your hands!)
The New Year in Malaysia
We took a short three day trip across the border to the country of Malaysia. There are so many palm trees lining the roads. (Palm oil is a big industry.) We loved the hills and big open spaces. (It is quite different from Singapore.)
Also, we realized that when you are driving in a foreign country, it is a good idea to bring along a dictionary to interpret signs on the roads!! (What did that sign just say??? No idea!! I hope it wasn't important!)
At times, traffic can be difficult as lanes are just suggestions.
Overall, the people were very friendly and we had a nice visit.
Also, we realized that when you are driving in a foreign country, it is a good idea to bring along a dictionary to interpret signs on the roads!! (What did that sign just say??? No idea!! I hope it wasn't important!)
At times, traffic can be difficult as lanes are just suggestions.
Overall, the people were very friendly and we had a nice visit.
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