[1.1 Arrival of the Nifty Nine at Siem Reap] - Sotong
0830hrs: We finally got out of Siem Reap International Airport. Our flight was delayed for half-an-hour.... wonder why..... maybe Daisiki was late? hmmmm..... I wonder.....We took the plane from JetStarAsia, quite a comfortable 2hrs flight from Changi Airport to Siem Reap International Airport. We were greeted by sunny but breezy weather as we stepped off the plane.
A statue to admire while waiting to clear custom. Custom clearing was pretty slow though, they had to make 3 chops every time: (1) Country Chop (2) Date Chop (3) Custom Officer Chop [I think] then they sign off it. Oh yeah.... they also took our photo with a webcam..... I wonder why? Anyway... the view of the airport after getting out. The bus from hotel was waiting to pick us up.
Ra was to be our driver cum guide for the next 4 days.
0930hrs: Checked in to our hotel at Syndey Ankor, a nice, clean and simple hotel at Wat Bo Road, though it did come with the basic amenities like attached bathroom, hot water bath, cable TV, aircon, small refrigerator. What is lacking though: no container to boil our own water, no shower screen in the bath room, no holder for the shower (i.e. you gotta bath with one hand holding the shower all the time). Bed was comfortable, though they didn't change our towels throughout our stay..... hmmm..... Well, what can you expect from US$18 a night? "Green apples? anyone wants green apples?"We rush off for a quick breakfast of local fare: Beef noodles soup - which wasn't that bad, Curry Chicken Noodles - Curry not spicy enough, bland taste.... below average *sianz*, Beef Noodles
Vietnamese Style - Really like the Vietnamese Pho, but so-so only. Average price was about US$1 per bowl. Well, at least it was a good start to the day.... getting our stomach warm and full.1015hrs: We made our way to City Angkor Hotel to collect our race pack. In fact, we had pass by the hotel on our way from the Airport and made a stop there. However, the Thai organizers had not arrived yet with the champion chip. Oh well..... we should expect some hiccups here and there I suppose. Anyway, collection was a breeze though the Event Tee only came in two sizes: M & L (Reminds me of Brokie's two little darlings). We met LaoKaYu and friends at the hotel and exchanged tips with him.... okay... maybe more like received tips from him... hee hee.....
"Green apples? anyone wants green apples?"
The reception area for collection of race pack, a subject *ahem* of a lengthy debate which lasted well into Sunday. Also we had to test our chip on the spot, just flash the chip over the box and our full name and tag number will be displayed on the notebook.
1100hrs: Upon advise by LaoKaYu, we took a short 5 mins ride to the Cambodian Cultural Village. It consists of a- Wax Museum, Millionaire House,
- Cham Village (Cham people mostly live along the riverbank and make their living by fishing and blacksmith),
- Chinese Village,
- Kola Village (Originally from Burma & one of the minorities living in Pailin District),
- Kroeng Village (Ethnic minorities living in northeast Cambodia, Rattanakiri province. They make their living by farming and hunting)
- Khmer Village (Main people of Cambodia)
- Miniatures (miniatures of famous historical buildings and structures)
- Phnoring Village (One of the tribal groups living in Northeast Cambodia, Mondulkiri Province. They also make their living by farming and hunting)
- Surin Village (Live along Cambodia & Thai border, next to Osmach District)
- Floating Village (Tonle Sap Lake is the big source of fishes which are the main food of Cambodian people)
- Mini Theatre (Many performances like Classical Dance, Popular Dance, circus.. etc
There are as many as 11 shows per day. But unfortunately, none of the shows happened at the time of our visit. And costing US$9 per person to enter,
it didn't take anything else to convince us to be contented with taking photos outside the Village.
A statue of a Garuda outside the Cultural Village, and a Lotus fountain in front of the entrance. 
Okay... the last 2 pictures below are not exactly entirely part of the cultural village. But cultural enough...... hee hee.....
"Green apples? anyone wants green apples?"
Anyway..... we thought we've seen them all with that last lorry full of people. Little did we know, there were more interesting sights along the road too.....
3-in-1 Motorcycle? WOW.......
4-in-1 Motorcycle!!!!! Man.... this gotta be the max!!!
MANY-in-1 Motorcycle!!!!! *hail Cambodians* hee hee
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