What I loved about Cambodia

I loved almost everything about Cambodia.

 THE PEOPLE

The friendly smiling faces of the people who were so helpful. They love to talk to you and this helps them with their English, which, by the way, is extremely good. They, in turn, will help you with your Khmer struggles, which, by the way, are extremely bad.  It is good fun to practice and have a  laugh. When buying food at the market they were generous and patient, always ready to help.

Always hospitable they will ask you into their homes which is lovely.

THE WEATHER

The weather is perhaps a bit hot but is always good. Sun hat, sunscreen or parasol is a must. Just head for the nearest drinking hole as necessary. The pool is the best way to cool off and I enjoyed lying by it in the afternoons.

FOOD AND DRINK

Wonderful meals of noodles and vegetables were my favourite. A lot of choices were to be had and plenty of restaurants are available. Good food and good service. The cocktails were cheap at three dollars each and totally delicious. It was so lovely to sit by the pool drinking cocktails and having a lovely Khmer dinner. Western food was easy to get and sometimes we just got a plate of chips or a tomato bruschetta. Pizzas and lasagne were available as well. My favourite meals were a prawn, mango and red pepper dish on rice at the Deja Cafe in Phnom Penh and soft tofu with eggplant dish at the Butterfly Restaurant in Siem Reap. Both are absolutely delicious. 

Only saw a KFC in Phnom Penh but would much rather eat the local cuisine. 
Brown Coffee a local coffee shop chain was a great place to escape the heat and have a meal or just a drink. Its lovely cool atmosphere to rest and rejuvenate was set in gorgeous rustic surroundings. 
Jars of Clay in Phnom Penh needs a special mention for a special restaurant. It helps vulnerable women in the community find their feet again. The food, service and atmosphere were lovely and the restaurant does a great job. The women were fantastic. 

Another great treat in the afternoon for a pick me up was a mango smoothie. Icy cold and delicious. I had one most days when I was out. They were my favourites. I would sit in the cool cafe and write my blog and sort my photographs as I watched the world go by. 

SHOPPING 

This was fun from the more upmarket local goods still cheap by our standards to the markets that are so cheap and crammed with all sorts of wares. They are under tin rooves with narrow walkways and are extremely hot. You do not last long inside. Take a bottle of cold water. 

Aeon Mall in Phnom Penh is a welcome relief from the heat and a great way to shop in style and comfort. A spectacular mall with plenty of interesting stores including Japanese ones. There is a fabulous food court with western and Asian cuisine choices. Be careful though of the bat salads.

PLACES

Walking along the riverbank in Siem Reap and across the covered bridge is an interesting experience. Lots of tourists and locals sit on the benches that run down each side of the bridge  Cross over from the city centre and walk up to the arts and craft market on the opposite bank. Here you will find a tranquil shopping haven with a lovely restaurant on the side. A much nicer atmosphere from the main city centre with the hustle and bustle. We spent part of New Year's Eve here and it was extremely pleasant.

TEMPLES

Temples around Siem Reap we visited...

Wat Preah Prom Rath
As soon as you walk through the gates you are hit by the magnificent manicured gardens and colourful statues and stupas that ornament the complex around the temple. In 1500 a colossal statue of a reclining Buddha was built and placed inside the main temple. Besides many statues in the temple grounds you will also find colourful wall paintings and beautifully decorated rooms. The temple is located in the heart of the city. 

Wat Damnak 
Wat Damnak is a famous Buddhist pagoda and one of the teaching monasteries in the city of Siem Reap. 
The name commemorates the fact that this pagoda was a former residence of the monarchy of Cambodia.
It was formerly the royal residence of King Sisowath from 1904 to 1927. After the royal palace was relocated the courtyard of the old palace complex was turned into a Buddhist Pagoda. 
During the Khmer Rouge regime, Wat Damnak was used by the Khmer Rouge as their military base.
Now Wat Damnak is one of the teaching monasteries of Siem Reap.

The centre for Khmer studies was founded in 1999 as an initiative of the World Monuments Fund; an international NGO in the field of preservation. 

Today Wat Damnak is not only a Buddhist temple for monks to practice and for Buddhists to perform rituals, but this pagoda is also a centre for study. Lessons are given for monks to study Pali, Sanskrit and Dharma. In addition, the pagoda also has a primary school for children and every day many people go to read books or do homework there.

This temple houses the centre for Khmer studies and has a large library. 

Wat Bo
This 18th-century temple is one of the oldest known Buddhist temples in Siem Reap. Inside the main temple, there are paintings that date back from the 19th century and are still in good condition today. 
A good time to visit is around 4.30-6pm when you will often hear the monks chanting. 
There is a small school here, living quarters for the monks, beautiful gardens and some nice places to sit and relax. 
  
Angkor Wat
What can I say? This is an eye-opener. Truly majestic in every way and a photographer's dream.

We spent the whole day visiting three temples in the area and had so much fun. We crossed the waterway on huge floating plastic pontoons to get to the main Angkor Wat complex. The old bridge was under repair hence the make-shift one. We wandered over the grass to a smaller temple and had fun climbing over it, taking photos with our extended selfie-stick which could reach higher places and angles than we could. 

As I write this the memories keep flooding back of a blissful day I spent having fun with my daughter. 

The large complex houses Buddha statues with gold sashes, carvings on the walls of Aspara dances [Cambodian traditional dances] and long passageways with vaulted ceilings. Monks grace the temple with their saffron robes and shaved heads making this a magnificent sight. 

Some facts about Angkor Wat:

Angkor Wat is a Buddhist temple complex in northwest Cambodia, 5.5 km north of Siem Reap. 
It means "City of  Temples". The original name means Parama Visnuloka meaning "the sacred dwelling of Vishnu."

A sacred site and national symbol of Cambodian Buddhism, the complex is a Unesco World Heritage site and a significant tourist destination. 

Angkor Wat is the largest religious complex in the world by land area. The temple was built in the early 12th century and was originally dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu. It was converted to a Buddhist temple towards the end of the 12th century. 

As with other ancient temples in Cambodia, Angkor Wat has faced extensive damage and deterioration by a combination of plant overgrowth, fungi, ground movements, war damage and theft. 

The cause of the Angkor empire's demise in the early 15th century long remains a mystery. Researchers have now shown that intense monsoon rains that followed a prolonged drought in the region caused widespread damage to the city's infrastructure, leading to its collapse. 

THE ACCOMMODATION

Kind helpful staff were always ready to help you in any way. It was always a pleasure to return no the hotel after a day of going to temples, shopping and having lunch. It was such a delight to come back to a lovely cool swimming pool for a  swim, and relax around it having a drink. That took us till teatime and off we would go again for dinner and a nice walk home. The rooms were always clean and the bed made. We were very appreciative of this after a long day out. The staff at our hotel in Phnom Penh made the prettiest floating flower arrangements in large metal earns in the foyer. They always brightened my day [the girls and the flowers].

THE RIVER RUNNING THROUGH SIEM REAP

A favourite place of mine. Walking along its peaceful banks was a delightful way to get somewhere. If tired you could sit on the benches that run along the covered bridge that crossed the river. Great place for a rest and chat with visitors or locals. Plenty of seats dotted the riverbank or you could sit on the grass.
There was plenty to see along the way. You can stop at restaurants and coffee shops or go into the centre of the city. 
A wonderful way to spend the day.

THE TUK-TUKS

Only the best mode of transport in Cambodia. The roads are crazy so it is best to leave it to an expert. I felt like the queen perched in the back with the breeze on my face. So much fun and a great way to view the sights. Never a dull moment in a tuk-tuk. The drivers are friendly and helpful and their English is excellent. They are always ready with a smile and forever trying to get you in for a ride. This is the magic of Cambodia. 

Cambodia is a magical place. It gets into your soul and you fall in love with it in so many ways. 
I am very keen to return one day and experience it all over again. I hope you can visit sometime too. 

Day Forty Three. Off to the Airport and onto Kuala Lumpur.

I did not sleep well on my last night in Cambodia as I was incredibly sad to leave. Not only was I sad about leaving the country behind but also my daughter who I would miss terribly. We got up early and Sok our Tuk-tuk driver rang to say he was downstairs early. Got ready, showered and closed my suitcase and went downstairs. We both cried and hugged and off I went with Sok to the airport. Spet the trip crying as did not want to go. When we got there Sok gave me a big hug and we said our goodbyes. He had looked after us well and was going to take Heidi to work every morning which I was pleased about.

The flight to Kuala Lumpur was very turbulent. I was not aware at the time but there were heavy winds and rain there. The descent into this weather was scary. I was relieved when we landed.

It is so nice to walk around Kuala Lumpur airport as it is huge and very interesting with lots of shops to see. I went and found my gate so that I would not get lost, then decided to do the jungle walk which happened to be closed due to bad weather. I was disappointed as I had not seen it on the way through. 

Sat and sent some Viber messages to Heidi and rested for a while. Getting hungry decided to eat and wanted something bad like a burger. Went to Burger King as had eaten fabulous food in Cambodia and wanted a change. Could not eat it all but felt better. It gave me some energy. Went to a lounge area with couches and T.V. and I wrote and wiled away my time in the digital world via my phone. As time got closer to departure I went to the gate area. Other people had the same idea and I had a lovely time talking to a lady from Melbourne and then a Buddhist monk from the monastery in Bendigo. Finally boarded for our night flight back to Melbourne .

Day Forty Two. Last Day in Phnom Penh

My last day has arrived and it is to be a busy one. We got up early and headed around the streets to the jewellery shop and bookstore, both of which were closed. Walked further on to the market for last souvenirs to take home. Found more scarves and got more tiger balms in decorated ceramic containers, which make great presents for friends. Heidi bought t-shirts and I pod speakers. Both nice and inexpensive. Returned to the hotel around eleven o'clock to wait for Socheata who worked with Heidi, who was taking us out for the afternoon. First, it was out for lunch. Local Khmer restaurant around the corner was our place of choice. The girls had a sweet sugar cane drink and I had my usual green tea. I had noodles and vegetables, Socheat had congee and Heidi had noodle soup. We got a tuk-tuk from our hotel out to Phnom Penh University where Socheata was studying Korean language and culture. We had a lovely walk around noticing how beautiful the buildings and grounds were. 

We climbed in a tuk-tuk and headed home. Fabulous to sit back end enjoy the sights that the city has to offer. You never get tired of looking around at all the different things. I will miss this city terribly. 

When I got home I finished packing and then went out for our last dinner. I could choose as it was my last one in Cambodia. I chose airconditioned comfort at the Deja Cafe having my favourite meal of prawns, mango, onions and red capsicum in Asian sweet sauce on a bed of rice. We sat and reminisced about our time in Cambodia. 

Back at the hotel we showered and went to bed for our early start tomorrow. 

Day Forty one.

Washing day so that my clothes will dry in time to pack in the suitcase. Reorganised the drawers for Heidi so she now has more space. Packed my suitcase as much as possible. We went out for tea to the local dumpling restaurant around the corner. Tried their vegetable dumplings and fried noodles with egg. Came home to sit on the rooftop and drink some cocktails that we bought at the Royal supermarket on the far corner. We had to buy a bottle opener so we could get into them as we did not have one. We sat up on the roof enjoying the sights and the cocktails. Finally went to bed and watched Lost in Space. 

Day Forty

Getting close to leaving time and heading back home. Time to sort through my clothes and things ready to pack. Spent the whole day in, organizing. Heidi came home very tired after work so we did not feel like going out to eat. I went downstairs to the supermarket for some goodies and on the way back went into the Teddybear Cafe for some takeaway. Ordered chips and fried rice with eggs. Ate in the room then watched a horror movie called The Haunting, which was excellent. An early night had to catch up on some sleep.

Day Thirty nine.

Stayed in all day.  I sat up in the pool area and wrote then went and watched some TV. When Heidi came home we went over the road to the apartments. Got the right one this time but it was on the third floor on steep concrete stairs so I did not climb the stairs. Heidi did the climb but said the apartment was too big with two bedrooms and two bathrooms and very dark. 

When we had finished we walked around the corner to the Deja Cafe again and had a Pad Thai and the best meal ever of mangoes, cashews, red peppers with prawns together with a mix of brown and white rice. We absolutely loved it. 

Home for a shower and some Lost in Space. 

Day Thirty eight. Chinese New Year.

The streets are empty which is very eerie for Phnom Penh. Most Cambodians go home to the country to visit their families over any holiday breaks which leaves the city deserted. Places of business are shut. I sat up on the roof to catch the breeze before venturing out. The jewellery shop was shut so I visited the small bookstore close by. I then had lunch in the Deja Cafe which is nice and air-conditioned. I ordered vegetable spring rolls and a coke. On the way home I called in at the supermarket which was thankfully open. Bought cereal and alcohol to sit on the roof with to celebrate the New Year again. 

Heidi rang to say that we were looking at an apartment at six pm that evening. I worked on ancestry in the afternoon.

At five to six we wandered over the road to the apartments above a house. The owners of the house invited us in to sit down and wait until the agent arrived. We sat and sat and sat but no one turned up for the appointment. The two men that lived there did not speak any English but delighted in laughing at us calling us "Barang" which means foreigner in English. We thought this so funny as we were actually aware of being foreigners. The agent never showed up to show us the apartment and we later found out it was the other side of the building which was only half of it so we missed her.

Went to a special restaurant in our main street called Jars of Clay. This restaurant helps disadvantaged women who are compromised in some way to help them get back on their feet by training them in hospitalities. I ate pea pasta with mushrooms and Heidi had some pumpkin soup.

We enjoyed our meal and the service was great. A lovely restaurant to eat in.