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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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:

• Tips and Things to Know about Siem Reap, Cambodia
• Digital Nomad Life: One Month in Siem Reap, Cambodia

Check out my other adventures here:

• Quick Update from Bousavy Guesthouse in Siem Reap, Cambodia
• Siem Reap and Bangkok Chronicles
• Getting There: Cebu to Manila to Clark to Bangkok to Aranyaprathet to Siem Reap
• No Ordinary Train Ride From Bangkok to Aranyaprathet
• Bangkok to Siem Reap: Avoid Scammers from Aranyaprathet to Poipet Border
• Where to Stay: Bousavy Guesthouse in Siem Reap, Cambodia
• Where to Stay: Victory Guesthouse in Siem Reap, Cambodia
  
• Cambodia Trip: Angkor Thom Gate, Bayon Temple and Elephant Terrace
• Cambodia Trip: Trees in Ta Prohm Temple, Siem Reap
• Cambodia Trip: Walking Barefoot at Angkor Wat Temple
• Cambodia Trip: Pre Rup, Banteay Srei and East Mebon Temples
• Cambodia Trip: Haggling Prices in Angkor Night Market
• Cambodia Trip: Those Khmer Kids Selling Merchandise
• Cambodia Trip: Chill Out and Relax at Pub Street in Siem Reap
• Cambodia Trip: Insightful Conversations Over a Fish Massage
• Cambodia Trip: Land Mine Victims
• Cambodia Trip: A Guide to Eating Cheap Khmer Food in Siem Reap
• Cambodia Trip: Engrish and Random Sights in Siem Reap
• Cambodia Trip: Shuttle Bus from Siem Reap to Bangkok, Thailand
• Total Budget Expense in Siem Reap, Cambodia

• Why I Keep Coming Back to Siem Reap
• Old Tourist Couple in Siem Reap, Cambodia