“It is such a blessing to actually be living and breathing the “American Dream” rather than just to dream. To have survived something so horrific, so unimaginable, bring about questions of how and why we survived while nearly a quarter of the population perished. Why were we the lucky few to flee our home and country for a better life here in America or for some, in other parts of the world?”
- CACO/GLEF 2011 Humanitarian Tour Team :: Vacation with a Purpose

How have 6 days already passed? It has really been some of the most eventful 5 days of travel, relationships building and eye opening experiences. I’m on this trip with 32 incredibly giving, kind-hearted people who really wanted to have more than just a vacation to Cambodia. This tour allows all of us to be a part of making a difference in peoples lives immensly. It allows us give children hope in a brighter future through education. It allows us to learn of the hardships that parents have to go through to raise a child when they hardly have enough to bring food to the table. Having gone recently to Vietnam for humanitarian purposes, this one really differs from that trip because it’s an actual tour planned out with a set schedule for the 14 days we’re here. Everyday we’re up by around 5am and dont go to bed until around 3am with really no breaks in between. The schedule for each day has been as follows:
DAY 1: PHNOM PENH // 11/6/2011 SUNDAY
HOUSING: SMILEY HOTEL
Meet and welcome by our local guide upon arrival at Phnom Penh International Airport then transfer to hotel for check-in to Smiley Hotel Phnom Pehn.

Day 2: PHNOM PENH // 11/7/2011 MONDAY
HOUSING: SMILEY HOTEL
Breakfast at hotel then commence your city tour to visit Independence Monument
Drive around the statue of Samdech Preah Moha Sometheathipadei CHUON NAT Chotanheano: the First-ranked Supreme Patriarch of Mohanikaya Buddism and other statue of Preah Phirum Master OU (called Ngoy) who was Cambodian famous educational poem composer as well chant harmoniously with his single instrument and Royal Palace with Silver Pagoda and National Museum. Lunch will be served at local restaurant.

Afternoon, visit Toul Tumpong market and then Toul Sleng Museum (genocide museum) and it related killing field of Choeung Ek. Dinner will be served at local restaurant. Overnight stays at hotel in Phnom Penh.

Day 3: KAPONG THOM // 11/8/2011 TUESDAY
HOUSING: HOMESTAY @ KAMPONG THOM
Morning, breakfast at hotel, then take a private bus to Kampong Thom. Experience the local delicacy like fried spider vender in the town of Skun.
Visit the Taing Krosang School in Kompong Cham where GLEF and donors furnished 5 classrooms with new school desks.

Visit an Angkorian-era temple at Moha Nokor, dating back to the 9th century. It is sandstone carving/Scrupture that stands along the roadside nearby the foothill of Santuk Mountain. Lunch and Dinner will be at local restaurant at Kampong Thom.

Day 4: KAPONG THOM TO SIEM REAP // 11/9/2011 WEDNESDAY
HOUSING: SOKHA ANGKOR RESORT
Morning, breakfast at homestay, then visit Sambor Prei Kuk Temple. It is a former capital, and was previously named Ey San Borak. A religious center dedicated to Shiva, Sambor Prei Kuk temple is made of solid brick and some late rite stone, and is decorated with sculptures. The artistic front of Sar Pich and the door- frames are made of sandstone. Sambor Prei Kuk temple was built during the reign of King Isanavarman I in the 7th century before capital moving to Angkor.

Then continue the journey to Siem Reap–Home of Angkor. On the way stop to visit Angkorian bridge where today traffic stop passing on this more than 1,000 year old bridge which under conservation and preservation in 2006 and continue by driving pass the rice field and local villages to visit Beng Mealea Temple. This temple is largely overrun by vegetation and very lightly touristed, giving it an advanturous, ‘lost in the jungle’ fell, with trees growing from the broken towers and galleries offer some of the best ‘tree in temple’ shot. Picnic lunch will be served on the site.
Check-in at hotel upon arrival in Siem Reap.
Then visit Artisan d’ Angkor (wood and stone carving) where you will find the art of Khmer traditional carving. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight at hotel in Siem Reap.
Day 5: SIEM REAP // 11/10/2011 THURSDAY
HOUSING: SOKHA ANGKOR RESORT
Morning program: Breakfast at hotel, commence your wonderful world heritage tour to visit the lost city of the Khmer Empire: South Gate of Angkor Thom, Giant faces of famous Bayon and Baphuon Temples, Terraces of Elephants and Leper King, Phimean Akas and the unforgettable jungle temple of Ta Prohm. Lunch will be served at tourist restaurant.

Afternoon program: visit world heritage icon and ancient seven wonder of the world, Angkor Wat Temple; study both the splendid architecture and bas-relief until late evening visit the nearby monastery in the Angkor Wat compound. Dinner will be served at local restaurant with classical dance show. Overnight stays at Hotel in Siem Reap.
Day 6: SIEM REAP // 11/11/2011 FRIDAY
HOUSING: SOKHA ANGKOR RESORT
Breakfast at hotel then visit Rolous group of temples including Preah Ko, Bakong and Lolei temples, then visit Bakong Technical College. Lunch will be served.

After lunch, continue to visit Tonle Sap Lake to Kompong Phlouk (Khmer village on Tonle Sap), then return back to Bakong Temple to visit Sunset. Dinner will be served at Sala Bai School.
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