Singapore, Cambodia, and Laos

Nov 3-11, 2018
AC737 YYZ-SFO, UA1 SFO-SIN, Nov 6 MI614 SIN-REP, Nov 7 VN930 REP-LPQ, Nov 10 MI787 LPQ-VTE-SIN Nov 11 UA2 SIN-SFO, AC 756 SFO-YYZ

As part of the continuing theme for the year, there was a very good (and likely mistake) fare from Toronto to Singapore that we found early in the year and locked in.  Since we’ve been to Singapore many times, the intent was always to use it as a jumping off point to visit the area.  Of all the countries in the world that I’ve visited Tom had been to all of the same countries with the exception of Cambodia.  Rather than continuing to hold that over Tom, we planned a trip back for me to Angkor Wat and went onto Laos. a new country for both of us.  Angkor Wat was amazing and intense, but we really enjoyed the more laid back time in Luang Prabang.  Although it wasn’t the focus of the trip, we also got some time in Sinagpore to explore.

November 3

After our morning flight from Toronto to San Francisco, we had a second breakfast in the Polaris Lounge before picking up a rental car and heading to the coast.

Cliffs along Hwy 1 at Tunitas Creek Beach

Sea bird in flight

Island of birds a little further down coast at Pascedro State Beach

Tom showing off his bird photography skills

We returned our rental car in the early evening with enough time to enjoy the Polaris Lounge before our late night 16-hour flight to Singapore.

November 5

With the 16-hour flight and time change, we arrived early on the morning of November 5th, effectively spending all of the 4th in flight. After getting an early check in to our hotel in Singapore, and breakfast, we headed out to explore the city. I had traveled to Singapore on my own more recently, but for Tom this was his first time back in Singapore in a number of years.

Walking through the Singapore Central Business District

Old Hill Street Police Station

Canal of The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, next to the casino

Gardens by the Bay

Skyway spanning the Supertree Grove

Marina Bay Sands hotel with their famous suspended pool deck

Perspective on the Supertree Grove

Up close with the flowers

More flower photos

Standard Singapore subway warnings to prevent the smelly delicacy from fouling the trains

Back at the Supertree Grove for the evening light show

Gardens by the Bay with Singapore Flyer Ferris Wheel in the background

More of the light show

The still pictures don’t do it justice, but the trip back was definitely worth it

After our evening trip back out to the gardens we made it back to the hotel to catch up on some sleep and be ready for our very early morning flight to Cambodia.

November 6

After our morning flight to Siem Reap, Cambodia, we were met on arrival by our guide who took us to our hotel to freshen up and get ready for a full day of touring the temples of Angkor Wat. As we only had two days to tour, I had requested a pretty full itinerary and our guide was kind enough to comply.

Ta Prohm tomb from the late 12th century, most famous for being featured in the Tomb Raider movie

Full perspective of the tree growing around the temple

More overgrowth of the temple

Playing a bit of hide and seek through the tree trunk

The most iconic temple view with the roots reaching for the temple

On to the Benteay Srei temple famous for red sandstone and a fairly long drive from the main temple complex

Detailed carvings above the entrace

Deeper in the temple interior

Lion headed guardian protecting the temple

Monkey statue also on guard

Incredibly intricate details of the inner temple

Back entrance to the temple

Another building beside the main Benteay Srei

Entrance to Banteay Samre

Main pagoda of the Benteay Samre

Carved spindles

Back entrance to Benteay Samre

Looking down after making our way up Pre Rup Temple

Full perspective on the 10th century Pre Rup temple

Crowds waiting for sunset

Sunset over the temple complex

Good perspective of the crowds

Full temple complex with run gawkers

After our day of temples we rested our feet with some wine back at the hotel and got some rest to prepare for our early morning departure.

November 7

Our second and last day started well before sunrise. We arrived at Angkor Wat in total darkness to position ourselves for the sunrise and it did not disappoint. Angkor Wat is the largest religious religious monument in the world and was built in the first half of the 12th century originally constructed as a Hindu Temple. Although Angkor Wat was the highlight, we filled out the rest of the day touring the remaining temples on our itinerary before our evening flight to Laos.

Angkor Wat reflected in the main pool at dawn

A few more colours in the morning sky

Capturing the power of the iPhone camera

Beautiful sunrise

We definitely were not alone for the morning ritual

Balloon provides an aerial view opportunity

The outer walls have incredible detail

The temple had a number of permanent animal residents

Looks like he found a treat

Restored wood ceiling in the outer walkway

The carvings go on for miles

Showing off his teeth

The monkeys are almost as interested as the temple

A good perspective on the 3D carvings

The repeating pattern goes on and on

Unfortunately many of the statues have lost their heads

Closeup on the headless Buddha

Steps to the third level that was closed for the holy day

Pool and with a view of the third level behind

South Thousand God Library just outside the main temple

Broader perspective on the large royal pool

Mirrored North Thousand God Library

Buddha at the West Gate

Lilly pads growing in the outer pong

Looking back at the West Gate of Angkor Wat and the new floating bridge that connected to the main tourist entrance

After a stop for breakfast back at the hotel we visited Preah Khan Temple

Tree is one with the temple

More of the Preah Khan temple complex

Central Stupa with direct sunlight

Close up with the carvings

More carving details

Back exit from the temple

Bridge that connected over the outer moat

Angkor Thon North Gate with the famous faces

Baphuon temple inside Angkor Thom

Phimeanakas temple of the king

Terrace of the elephants

Reliefs outside of king’s castle

More of the reliefs at king’s castle

The Bayon temple of Angkor Thom

Up close with the faces of Bayon

Some of the colors remain

Face and amazing surrounding detail

One last look at the incredible scope of Bayon

With the sun now in the afternoon skies we got a last look at the main Angkor Wat temple

Zooming into the main temple

Floating bridge linking the west gate to the main tourist entrance

After two days of temples we got to unwind in the lounge at the airport before catching our early evening flight to Luang Prabang.

November 8

With a few nights in the UNESCO Heritage City of Luang Prabang, the pace of our vacation slowed down a little bit and gave us time to relax a bit between and enjoy the more laid back Laos (our 87th country). L

Wat Khili

Wat Khili’s golden decoration

Golden boat at the monastery

Our hotel in traditional local architecture

Wat Ho Pha Bang temple build to house Pha Bang gold Buddha outside the royal palace

A collection of royal chariots

Climbing the hill gives us a great perspective of the town and surrounding jungle

More of the town and surrounding mountains

Beautiful butterfly in the surrounding gardens

Remains of missiles outside the OXO (un-exploded ordinance) Information Centre that delivered many land minds

More visible examples of the tragic story of the millions of bombs from Vietnam War that continue to main and kill today

More land mind examples

The infrastructure is barely keeping up with the demand

Like Bangkok the Tuk Tuk is a common transformation option

Local fisherman on the Mekong

Many of the traditional homes along the riverfront

Enjoying our sunset cruise

Beautiful sunset on the water

Some of the many boats on the busy Mekong

Looking back on our boat as we make our way back to the hotel

After our sunset tour we headed to the city centre for some great Laotian Food.

November 9

For our last full day in Laos we had a pretty relaxing day. Taking in a cooking class offered by our hotel, taking a break for a massage and checking out the night market.

Testing out my cooking skills

Evening market setup, before the streets close and they fully take over

Making our way up Phu Si Mountain for sunset

We had company for sunset

The main spot to pose for the sunset

The clouds made the sunset over the Mekong a little early

More of the surrounding mountains

Zooming into the turn in the Mekong and the mountains

Looking over the other side of the mountain and the Nam Khan River

Tents of the night market with Wat Ho Pha Bang towering above it

Some of the many crafts for sale in the market

With the sunset we found another great Laotian restaurant for dinner and turned in after another wonderful day in Laos.

November 10

For our last day in Luang Prabang we started bright and early at 5:30 to participate in the alms giving and explored the morning market.

Ready for the alms ceremony

Procession of monks receiving the alms

Local’s pride chicken

Small religious setting cut into the mountain

Each house has their own small temple

Relaxing one last time on our balcony before our flight

After breakfast we headed to the airport for our midday flight back to Singapore through Vientiane. Unfortunately there was an extended maintenance delay that had us a little nervous about getting trapped for a few days in Laos. Luckily we got out with a relatively short delay and had time to have a drink at our hotel in Singapore before turning in.

November 11

For our 10:00 am flight to San Francisco we had an early bus ride to the airport, had time to explore a couple of lounge options in Singapore and finally made our way back to Toronto with another stop in the Polaris Lounge at SFO.