A Short Family Bonding Trip to Angkor Wat
The last time my family of four (son, daughter, hubby and I) went out on a trip was in April 2013. Since then my two kids started their university lives and it was hard to arrange for a family trip because our "free and available" timing just did not coincide.
This year we managed to rearrange our schedules so that we could spend four days together. We decided to go somewhere near, somewhere that is a must-visit in a life time, somewhere where four days would be sufficient, somewhere we could sightsee and also relax together.
We chose Angor Wat, it is somewhere near and a must-visit place and as for the other two conditions (sightsee & relax) it would be on me to make them happen.
I am making this a DIY trip so that I can organise the itinerary to make it a great sightseeing trip, full of fun and relaxation for four days.
Cheap Flight from Singapore to Siem Reap
I have bought return tickets flying from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur to Siem Reap for all the four of us at about $250(SGD) each.The tickets were a fantastic deal. It was achieved by buying two sets of separate air tickets from AirAsia. The first set is a return ticket between Singapore to Kuala Lumpur and the second set is a return ticket between Kuala Lumpur and Siem Reap.
| Flight Ticket for 4 persons | $ SGD |
|---|---|
| Singapore to and from Kuala Lumpur | $363.40 |
| Kuala Lumpur to and from Siem Reap | $633.50 |
| $999.90 |
Surprising this cheapest flight arrangement is the best among all other forms of flight options that I have evaluated. The flying out arrangement does not affect my hubby and children's work/study in the day time. After work we still have enough time to get to Changi International Airport for our first flight at 9.30pm. Upon reaching KLIA2 at 10.30pm we need NOT exit immigration and we will check into Sama Sama Transit Hotel to relax and have a early night. The next day we just need to wake up just about an hour before the next flight and walk directly to the boarding gate. As we are already in the transit area all this while we need not set aside time for immigration check. We will fly out at 6.50am and reach Siem Reap by 7.50am which will be a great time to start our full day temple visit.
| Family Suite for 4 persons | $ SGD |
|---|---|
| Sama Sama Hotel at KLIA2 Transit | $95.00 |
On the return, we will fly out of Siem Reap at 3.00pm (local time) and reach Kuala Lumpur at 6.10pm. We will have about three hours for dinner before boarding the next flight at 9.30pm and touching down at Singapore by 10.30pm.
I find the other flight options very inconvenient. Most of them reach Siem Reap in the afternoon which make it not practical to start a temple trip on the same day as the temple ticket is charged by the day and not a 24hr time period. It will also not be economical to engage a guide for just half a day.
Itinerary At Siem Reap
We will be in Siem Reap for three full days and will fly out of Siem Reap on the 4th day at about 3pm.
On day 1, I have arranged for a tour company to pick us up at the airport and bring us to visit the temples. There will be a English speaking guide and the transport is an Aircon van with a driver. I read on the internet that it would be very uncomforable to travel around in a Tuk Tuk the whole day due to dust and heat, So I specifically asked for an aircon van. After our visit our guide will send us back to our hotel.
I booked the tour with Happy Angkor Tour through the internet. We agreed on the price and the places we would visit on that day all through email. No upfront payment was needed.
| Day 1: Full Day Temple Visit | Cost(US$) |
| Temple Entrance tickets for persons (3days) | $160.00 |
| Pick Up at airport | $ 10.00 |
| English Speaking Guild | $ 35.00 |
| Air con Van | $ 40.00 |
| $ 245.00 |
On day 2, I have arranged for two activities. In the morning we will attend a pottery making classes. My son, daughter and I will be the trainees. I have placed a booking with Khmer Ceramic Center. They will provide a tuk tuk transport to bring us from our hotel to the center and then back after the lesson. All the arrangement was done via email and no upfront payment was needed.
In the afternoon we will be going for a sunset tour of Tonle Sap Lake. For this tour I have booked a guided trip with Tara RiverBoat. The tour includes transport in AirCon van to and from hotel to Tonle Sap Lake, boat trip on the lake and dinner. Again the arrangement was done via email and no payment was needed till the day of the trip.
| Day 2: | Cost(US$) |
| Pottery Class for three persons | $ 60.00 |
| Trip to Tonle Sap Lake for four persons | $144.00 |
| $204.00 |
Day 3 is free and easy, we could laze around in the hotel pool, we could go to Pub Street in the evening. Day 4 will again be free and easy for the entire morning and in the afternoon we will leave for the airport.
Hotel at Siem Reap
There are many criteria in choosing our accommodation. We need two rooms with connecting door, or a family suite. This is about bonding and we cannot have good bonding if we are separated by wall. Hotel breakfast is a must so that we do not have to go out of the hotel in search of breakfast.
I searched around and came upon a great new resort. It looked cosy and relaxing, it looked spacious and private. It looked like a place that we would not mind spending a whole day in the hotel and best of all the price also looked good.
So I booked a Deluxe Family Suite (two bedrooms) at Angor 'D Tresor Resort for three nights at a total price of SGD$399 (including all taxes). It will comes with breakfast for four every morning and two ways airport transfer.
Click the Mosaic below to join us on our trip
 |
|
|
 |
 |
