Malaysian learns valuable lessons while backpacking in South-East Asia

Angkor Wat in Siem Reap, Cambodia is such a large historical complex that you can even choose to explore it over seven days! — JAMES WHEELER/Pixabay

Write to us

We can finally travel again! We would love to hear about your travels and adventures not just within Malaysia, but overseas too. If you don’t feel like travelling yet, that’s OK, as you can always tell us about your past holidays instead. Your story – experiences, tips, advice – should be 700 to 800 words long in Word or Text format. Please attach some photos (1MB, captioned) in a separate email. There is no payment for submissions, and we reserve the right to edit all submissions. Email [e-mail] with the subject “Readers Share”

I have always wanted to travel and see the world, so in August 2018, my brother and I went backpacking across Thailand and Cambodia.

In Thailand, we went from Hatyai to Chiang Rai and then Bangkok.

From there, we took a train to Aranya Prathet, which is where the Thai-Cambodia border is.

After crossing the border and getting clearance from the immigration point, we went to Poipet town (about 6km from the border) to look for a budget hotel. It was a really hot evening and it was getting dark too, but we managed to find some a place to stay.

I told the hotel receptionist that we wanted to go to Angkor Wat, and he told us that it would cost us about US$80 (RM334) to get there and back. He also said that the amount would include tour guide fees, and that it was compulsory to have a guide with us at Angkor Wat.

I agreed to the amount and he immediately arranged for the tour for us.

The next morning, a taxi was already waiting for us outside the hotel by the time we checked out. The driver said that he was also going to be our guide at Angkor Wat so we hopped into the car and off we went.

I was very excited for the trip because Angkor Wat had been on my bucket list for a long time.

But after driving for about 10 minutes, the taxi stopped at a shop and the driver told us to get out of the car. Apparently, we had to change vehicles and driver too.

We were asked to get into a pickup truck, and our new driver could barely speak English.

The workers from the shop then loaded some goods into the back of the truck, so that they could be delivered all the way to Siem Reap. I asked them what the things were as the whole operation seemed a little fishy, but they just ignored me.

We felt cheated as this was not what was promised earlier, but at the same time I was not in the mood to argue with them, especially since no one could really speak English. So my brother and I just got in the truck and kept quiet throughout the two-hour journey.

Upon arriving at Siem Reap town we were told to get passes for Angkor Wat from the ticket counter – the historical complex itself is actually about 6km away from town. A day-trip ticket costs US$37 (RM155), but you can also buy three-day and seven-day passes.

When we were finally at Angkor Wat, my brother took off on his own to explore the place by himself as he preferred to do that.

The driver did not follow me into the complex either, but since I didn’t really need his services, I didn’t make a fuss. Besides, visitors could just explore the main parts of Angkor Wat by themselves as there are clear signs and notice boards around.

Also, I found out later that it wasn’t compulsory to have a guide at Angkor Wat either!

Anyway, the complex was truly amazing. I went to as many temples and points of interest as I could and after two hours, I decide to make my way back to the entrance.

I caught up with my brother, and surprisingly the driver managed to pick us up along the way too.

We drove back to Poipet, and we paid the driver the agreed amount. We then made our way to the immigration checkpoint and I crossed the border safely.

My brother, unfortunately, faced some issues as his passport was never stamped upon entry!

The officers told him to go back to the first checkpoint, which was quite a distance away.

He was told to do many things and he suspected the officers were waiting for him to give in and offer them “something”. But my brother ignored their hints and asked them to call the Malaysian embassy instead.

In the end, the officers relented and allowed him to cross over to Thailand without any issues.

Although our trip was so wonderful and memorable, we did learn some valuable lessons.

We must always be careful and vigilant whenever we travel overseas especially when we have to go through several immigration checkpoints. And be wise when dealing with hotels, taxi drivers and tour guides, too.

The views expressed are entirely the reader’s own.