Cambodia Trip: Engrish and Random Sights in Siem Reap

I’m almost done with my articles about my trip last January in Siem Reap, Cambodia. I figured I’d post some random snapshots of different signs and other observations of sights captured during this break. It would be a waste of shutter if I just kept them inside my computer.

As we were hopping from temple to temple, signs and directions were present to warn people or dogs (see 2nd photo below) where to enter and how to behave to avoid destroying these monuments.

cambodia sign
three-way

Somehow, I had to take second glances to verify if the instructions were clear enough. Engrish phrases, they break tension and alleviate stress that one acquires from walking all day.

cambodia signboards
Warning Signs

We visited the old market to check whatever items and souvenirs we could find. We were also searching for another Lonely Planet: Philippines book available but to no luck.

After passing through different stores selling merchandise, we came across stalls that reminded us of the same goods being sold back home. A wet market is still a wet market after all.

siem reap market
Vegetables in front and meat at the back.

The pub street in the late afternoon was scorching hot. I didn’t expect it as the temperature when we were temple-hopping wasn’t as high. The absence of trees made a whole lot of difference.

fish market cambodia
Dried Fish

A Doctor Fish Massage sign. Not sure why but almost every fish massage spa corner, they use the term ‘Dr. Fish’.

Funny how ‘Piranha’ is misspelled when famous terms in Cambodia aren’t. ‘Phnom Penh’ (another city) and ‘Khmer’ have the ‘H’ after consonants. It should follow that piranhas would be spelled with the ‘H’ after the consonant ‘N’. But I’m just nitpicking. Not sure if the analogy seems off but this is just a thought.

fish massage cambodia
No piranhas

Restaurants in Pub Street open early but don’t get as busy until dinner time. These establishments are abound and stay close to each other that different advertising methods have been used to promote their shops and entice customers. Banners and streamers are put up to provide added attention to passersby. Too bad for those cafes who are directly hit by sunlight.

lonely planet siem reap
Banner recommendations.

The city becomes more alive at night. Most of the people we met along the way were usually foreigners on vacation while Khmer people attend to their businesses.

FYI: In Cambodia, the US dollar currency is more common and preferred when paying for items or services.

internet cafe siem reap
Internet rental shop

Western food places are a rare sight but there are those that are put up to cater to tourists who opt for a taste of home.

We also dropped by this KFC restaurant so I could distinguish the menu from our version — In the future, I’m planning to create a write-up about KFC stores from the different countries I’ve visited.

Trivia: I used to work in KFC.

KFC cambodia
Didn’t notice any McDonald’s or Burger King foodshop though.

We were on our way to the Angkor Night Market on our first day in Siem Reap to purchase goods requested by people back home.

Aside from banana pancakes and rice cakes, roasted pigs and peking ducks were also sold in push carts on the street.

angkor market lechon cambodia
Tiger: a beer brand | pigs and peking ducks

It’s not only in the Philippines that one can witness store name knock-offs to sound closer to their American counterparts. These signboards in Cambodia are amusing as they elicit a comical fancy from people who still have humor in their system.

six eleven store
6/11 store

Ultimately, there are signs that make you stare for minutes just to examine and uncover the actual message the owner wants to convey. For sure, these signs have received longer attention which is a more effective form of advertising; considering the reader has stopped and taken time to understand their meaning. It’s Engrish at its best.

engrish cambodia
figure it out

Simple sights and random photos are what brings out a location’s charm; at least for me. These are things that are often overlooked because of people being too preoccupied with schedules and itineraries. Sure, I’m also a victim of tourist traps but it helps when one pauses for moment.

With these small details, they bring about a better understanding of how the locals live and a clearer perception of life in their eyes.

Here’s a couple of comprehensive guides about Siem Reap:

Check out my other adventures here:


Enter your email address to subscribe for updates.
 
Please don't forget to confirm your subscription by checking your Inbox.



soloflightEd.com is a travel blog by Edcel Suyo. He enjoys performing headstands and crazy stunts during his trips in the Philippines, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East. Now based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates and working to earn a living, he takes time to enjoy the city and travel during weekends.
For updates, Like his page on Facebook or Follow him on Twitter.
For questions, advertising, and other concerns, shoot an email to ed@soloflighted.com.


15 thoughts on “Cambodia Trip: Engrish and Random Sights in Siem Reap”

  1. Those pictures are great. I especially like the one of the dangerous stairs because the 4th stair looks like it is sharp enough to cut you!
    This made me really want to take another trip to Asia!

    Reply
  2. natawa ako dun sa 'no piranha' lol. kainis puro riels yung sukli nila sa kin. hay. aanhin ko naman yung natira kong riels? di naman ako money collector haha

    Reply
  3. bwahahaha. mervin, ngayon ko lang napansin! hoy ed! walang guinea pigs doon! i think you are referring to the baby pig or lechon de leche! bwahahaha

    Reply
  4. @chyng: parang seryoso na ewan. hehe

    @lakwatsera de primera: it's the small things that matter the most 😀

    @pinaytraveljunkie: haha. daming makukulit dun. yung last photo talaga ang nagpahinto sakin! haha

    @miranda: thanks miranda! those stairs look sharp and steep! you should drop by Asia again!

    @vin: that's why i did my best to get rid of the rielson our last day 🙂

    @robbie: haha, ewan, para siguro yun sa mga paranoid. hehe

    @pinoy adventurista: oops, sensya. piglets lang ata yun.

    @doi: thanks for correcting me.

    @rizalenio: thanks lito! laugh trip talaga toh.

    Reply
  5. Great trip. I notice Cambodia really has a slight difference from the Philippines, based from the pictures above.  I wish I can also go to this place.:-) Thanks for sharing your adventure. 🙂

    Reply
  6. natatawa talaga ako dun sa no piranha. ha ha ha malamang! he he
    i have a confession to make, in the 6th photo – yung may lonely planet recommended signage. sa may amok,  yung spot na yun ako naihi! it's 3 in the morning and i can't seem to find a toilet. sorry.

    Reply
  7. @nonoy: there's not much difference at all. This part of Cambodia seems like a quaint town with so many temples! 😀

    @Kim&Mj: hope you enjoy reading my entries! I'm almost done. I think I only have two more articles left! 😀

    @pinoy adventurista: haha, para ngang daga nga lang. hehe

    @pinoy boy journals: no worries, we gotta do what we gotta do. haha. I would've done the same if I were in your shoes!

    Reply

Leave a Reply to Pinoy Adventurista Cancel reply