The "annoyingly annoying" RESTAURANT BARKERS at Angkot Wat

There are annoyances anywhere.It's up to you if you will allow it into your nerves or simply shrug it off.Most wouldn't even be blog worthy, but there is one incident in Angkor Wat that almost spoiled our day.And so I am writing it here so that you know what to do when visiting Angkor Wat for sunrise.

The first who will stop you at the causeway leading to the main entrance of the temple are tourist guards who will check if you have an ID/day pass which you pay for $20. Other rates here:

After that, you will swarm into a sea of people walking excitedly towards the interior ground of the palace.Then suddenly ----Vendors will approach.Maybe vendor is not the accurate word, but they are barkers working for the restaurants situated near one of the pools of Angkor Wat.If facing temples,these restaurants are located on the left seemingly hidden on giant trees.They are legitimate restaurants.And no scam here.Except that those who invite you to offer their food are the most annoyingly persistent of all persistent vendors.

Al fresco restaurants in Angkor Wat

Just a few steps past the tourist guards, one approached us, a guy.He said that is we want to eat breakfast,his restaurant is located bla bla bla and it's # bla bla bla. Goes with a name (funny names) bla bla bla.We said okay,with a smile.We were too busy marveling at the magnificent sight that breakfast is the last thing on our mind.

The came another one.A female this time.Same pitch but for a different restaurant.We said okay again.With a smile.

Another few minutes and another one approached. A boy this time who's English is of British Accent (nakakatuwa) and who is such a talker.He managed to get me into a conversation for a few minutes enticing me about how he admires Many Pacquiao and stuff.

I dismissed him (with a smile) a few meter away from the pool where I wanted to take a sunrise shot of Angkor Wat. Until this time,everything else was amazing and we were too busy with the view we never really thought of anything else as annoying.That until the sun was up,shots were taken, and people slowly dispersed to go somewhere else,mostly inside the temple, then came the irritating part.

The lady barker (#2) approached us again and offered her restaurant.We thought about having a meal since we haven't really eaten breakfast because we left the hotel early so we agreed to go with her.The food shops are only a few meters away.Then out of nowhere, the guy appeared (#1 who offered) and enticed us to go with him again, followed by the boy (#3 barker) who also tried to talk us over adding the remark "what about me?".By this time,all three of them were trying to win us over.But we have already said yes to the lady (#2) so I dismissed the two.

That's when barker #1----the guy (looks like a muat thai player by the way) ---started to freak out.He raised his voice and said, "I saw you first,you are not good customers!".

That's when I fumed.Also in a raised voice I said "I don't know with you guys,why don't you talk to each other!".

He replied ---"then get out of here!".

I mean,seriously, I didn't commit to anybody.Is it because he offered us first means we were already marked and committed to him?

What?Did he mean, he wan't us to leave Angkor Wat because we didn't pick him?That we are already his property?And come on!Their stores are next to each other, don't these guys talk and arrange it within themselves who gets who depending on who offered first.And as a customer, can't we decide where we want to eat?

And dude, for you raise your voice and tell us we are "bad customers" and even tell us to "get out of here", aren't you too much of an irritation?

I didn't realize until I was writing this article that this thing costs $5 or 200 php
which is already pricey.At some point of the trip, I stopped computing and converting to peso.
Damn,it was already in USD and 
I didn't even realize it's already costly.Well, charge it to experience :)

All five of us were fuming.And the incident dominated our breakfast.More so because this guy keeps staring our way looking as if he is ready to attack us anytime.That kind of look.

It was too early and our mood was almost ruined.Good thing we recovered quickly.Maybe the Angkor coffee did help.

smiles almost ruined.not quite :)

Angkor WAt at Sunrise

The one I ordered, spicy sour soup with chicken, was $5. Almost twice the price if you buy it outside. But I guess it's okay rather than going out of the temple to find a place to eat and go back again to wander around.I mean, food is just okay.Nothing to wow for but good enough to keep us energy packed for the walking tour ahead.

LESSON LEARNED:When approached by restaurant barkers in Angkor Wat,pretend as if you don't know how to speak English and not engage with them in any way.They could really get annoyingly annoying!

ALSO READ:
**GOLDEN TEMPLE VILLA Siem Reap: Small hotel with a BIG Statement
**KHEMER SOUR SOUP, Cambodian Noodle w/ Curry at PAI SAN RESTAURANT Siem Reap
**the "Mother of All Temples" that is ANGKOR WAT

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