Angkor Wat - Undiscovered Treasure

Some people were skeptical when I told them that I was going to Cambodia. I think the news about the civil war 16 years back is still fresh from their minds.

2015 is my travel year and I was determined to check something off my list soon. The opportunity came when the government announced a 5 day holiday for the Pope Francis visit to the Philippines.

I quickly asked my husband to book us a flight and asked my friend if she would come along. The only direct flight we could find was a Cebu Pacific flight departing Jan 15 (the day the Pope arrived) 7:30pm .... (all air travel was cancelled from 2pm- 7pm).. dilemma....

Our flight was not cancelled but we were rescheduled for a 10:30 pm flight. We were so scared of the crowd and road closures that we were in Resorts World (the mall across the airport terminal) at 12nn!..

Personally, I hate flying budget airlines but we had no choice. Aside from which, the airfare costs $300+ (expensive for budget fare and no meals)

We arrived in Siem Rap at about 11:30pm. Siem Rap itself is similar to a provicial city in the Philippines (General Santos). I already prebooked my guide- Morin Ouch before we left the Philippines and I called him when I got to the hotel to arrange for our pick up schedule for the next day.

The guides and vans are not expensive at all. It costs : $30/day for the guide   $40/day for the van.. regardless of how many you are. So we spent $220 for the 3 days we spent and we were 6 people in the group. The van has cold towels and cold water for you when  you need it. (included with the price)

Angkor Wat archeological Park is about 500 square kilometers (huge) and consist of a lot of different temple complexes. Some of them are : Angkor Thom (hindu temple converted to buddhist), Angkor Wat was built around 1113 AD by the Cambodian King Jayavarman II and was dedicated to Hindu Gods like Vishnu and Shiva. Likewise, their language is also based on sanskrit. (Buddhism came later on..)
Entrance fee to the park is $40/person valid for 1 week and 3 entries to any of the temple complexes. Children 10 years below are free (you have to show a passport)

I am amazed how organized they are. The tickets issued even have a photo of you.


Angkor wat (highest temple).. on the bottom, there are girls in native costumes that will take a picture with you for $1.

Hindu carvings on the walls depicting various legends and tales

 Ta prom (lara croft temple)..

The only temple with purely buddhist roots was the Bayon Temple (the ones with the heads of buddha on top)

Banteay Srie (the temple of women) is few kilometers outside the city. its a smaller temple but beautiful as well. (we did this temple on the second day of our trip)... there are fewer crwods in this temple compared the the big angkor Wat ones. In some areas, we feel as if we are the only people around and can take as many photographs as we want

One thing about having your own guide is that your time and itinerary is flexible. On the first day, we wanted to experience the elephant ride and see the sunset on top of the mountain. We did just that (elephant ride $20/person one way... you can opt to walk down)

Riding an elephant is one the firsts for me on this trip. (bucket list check!)

Here are some other activities we did that you might want to do:

1. Visit the war museum and firing range - we get a general idea on Cambodian history. The khmer rouge regime. Most of the old arms in the museum are Russian. It is surprising to know that Cambodia only became "free" in 1999 after Pol Pot died. You can even try to shoot a AK-47 ($90/round of ammo... 3 of us shared 1)

2. Do a helicopter ride. Well, this one was spur of the minute on our last day. Our flight was late in the evening (10:30pm) so we had enough time to do a lot of activities. We opted for the $90 for 8 mins. (other options are 150/15mins, $200/20mins, $300/30 mins and more). I got a bit dizzy even if it was only 8 mins. you get to see the whole angkor wat complex

3. Do a ATV sunset ride with Siem rap Quad bike adventure. It was very enjoyable and we drove around the farming villages around Siem Rap. The children all came out and greeted us and we even high 5-ed them.

4. Angkor Museum. It is located in the middle of the city. It is well thought out and the exhibits are at par with European ones. (its better than the Cairo one for sure!)

We also visited the Angkor Artisans shop. Where they show how artisan from Angkor make wood, stone and silver souvenirs. (the gift shop is over priced). We also did a cultural show with buffet (the food was not that great and we were nodding off at the show)... you can use your time to go shopping in PUB STREET of the OLD MARKET

SOME MORE TIPS

---- Best weather is Dec- Feb (cool enough and not blazing hot) The temperature when we went was about 18-27C. They say the temperatures during summer (April- June) reaches 40C! July-Nov is monsoon so rainy all the time and muddy!!

--- bring CLOSED shoes and lots of socks. The roads are rural so they are dusty. If you wear slippers, by noon, you feet would be covered with dust. My white socks were brown when i got back from the tours at night.

--- bring extra clothes and shorts that reach your knees. Being Buddhist, some temples do not allow entry if you wear short shorts.

--- bring a selfie stick

--- bring a lot of $1 bills. Most Cambodians use US $ to buy and sell. Do not be afraid to bargain. I discovered later on that my $5 genie pants was being offered somewhere else at 2 for $5. some pricing examples: pajama style pants (2 for $5), postcards (regular sized ones: 10 for $1... buy from the kids outside the temple),

---our favorite local restaurant was RED HOUSE RESTAURANT which served good local food at local prices (not tourist prices) and featured cabanas with hammocks

--- get a massage.. its really cheap! $1/10 mins, $5 for 1 hour. We did another one which was $4/30 mins in an aircon room. The masseuse was good.

--- one more thing.... there is a NORTHFACE outlet in pub street. I got a winter goose down jacket for $100



MY THOUGHTS

Siem Rap is really safe compared to Phnom Penh which is the capital and more busy city. The vibe  is more of less provincial. Its is amazing how they have preserved the buildings (some even rebuilt using German technology) and how they have bounced back from war and built such a clean and orderly tourist industry. The guides have official badges and uniforms.

Better get a guide because some areas might rip you off if you go on your own. (like the floating market which we skipped)

Cambodians have learned to sell to all Asians and thus can speak Chinese/korean/ English. It was so funny to see these 4 year olds trying to sell me postcards speaking chinese.

I stayed at the ANGKOR RIVIERA HOTEL. It was a 10 min walk to the old market and pub street. It had wifi and included breakfast. Big nice and clean rooms. The pool was nice too. We really enjoyed our trip. Even my 10 year old daughter was thrilled at all the activities we did. I do hope more people get to go to Siem Rap.


My guide: Morin Ouch (ouchmorin@yahoo.com) email him if you want to book a tour.

Wafu Ghin

I think it was when I turned 40.

That's when you start thinking about how you would like to live the rest of your life. It was the same year I thought about being more healthy (thus doing COHEN). Subsequently, I also did my bucket list.

Some items listed were of course places I wanted to see and some were places I wanted to EAT AT.

Honestly speaking, I am no culinary expert. I have only recently started trying out renowned restaurants. (michelin starred ones). For one, I could afford it now.. hahaha.

So, 40. I think by now I have reached some level of personal accomplishment to accord me the privilege of eating something pricey once in awhile and not feel guilty about doing so. (or am I just trying to justify my eating journey?)

So, WAKU GHIN by Tetsuya. It is said to be the #2 restaurant in Asia. (I have been to #3 and it was really disappointing… see previous post (HERE)

I was pinning my hopes that this time would be different. And wow. was it different. So different that I don't know if one blog post will be enough to tell it all.

I secured a reservation 1 month in advance since I was already forewarned that it was very hard to get reservations  because they only serve dinner and only have 2 seatings. one at 5:30 and one at 8pm. The restaurant only seats 25.

D-DAY

On the day of our dinner. We actually arrived earlier than our dinner reservations. So we walked around the Marina Bay


The room we were taken to was small and had only 6 seats (I saw other similar rooms following ours). In front of the chairs was a teppanyaki table. The waitress then introduced herself (she was actually Filipina) and asked for our drink (we ordered regular water since the meal was pricey already)

After all the guests were seated, a chef came out with a tray of ingredients. He introduced each and said these were what we were going to have for today.

*note that we weren't handed a menu so we had no idea what dishes we were having

First course: Flan of Oyster with puree of Bacon and Spinach

This was presented to us. (the couple beside us ordered wine and sake and at this point, was having a long conversation with the sommelier).

The tofu flan underneath had a nice neutral taste to it that blended with the salty taste of the oyster. That oyster was huge and the first course really was a winner.

2nd course: Marinated Botan Shrimp with sea urchin and Oscietra Caviar.

This one----- blew. me. away.

I was told this is their signature dish. It was decadent to say the least. The hint of saltiness of the caviar with the sweetness of the fresh sea urchin and the "bite" of the marinated shrimp was just amazing.

3rd course: eel with confit of zucchini and foie gras with fresh wasabi

When you see the picture, you would think its just eel but..

viola! helloooo foie gras. yum!


the eel was pillow soft.. the softest eel I have tasted in my life. I don't know how they did it. The fresh wasabi was not too strong like what we get at other japanese restos. It had just the right "oomph" to balance out the richness of the foie gras and eel.

4th course: Australian Abalone with fregola and tomato 

At this point , a youngish looking chef comes out and explains the dish. He will cook it in front of us. He also explains as he cooks that a low fire is needed to cook the abalone so as to keep it tender. The couple beside us interviews him on how he became a chef and he gamely answers us… giving a good banter on techniques of cooking and how he became a chef. It feel like you are eating at someone's home actually.

He mixes aoli paste and some dressing for the base of the dish. It is actually exciting to see him at work. How he plates everything together.

look at those abalone!!! (one for each of us!)

I have tasted abalone only in chinese restaurants. Always laden with heavy sauces… but this was different. It was abalone… italian style. The taste of the tomato and fregola pasta is something you would not expect of an abalone dish. It was fresh and light and very italian with its tomato and aoili
LOVED IT


5th course: Braised Canadian lobster with tarragon

This was the lobster we were presented earlier… still moving its tentacles. Now, only the tails remained.

The lobster was braised for 10 minutes in front of us as we engaged with the chef with the chit chat. It was also served with bread that you could mop up the sauce of the lobster. Much like eating mussels. Slurp.. slurp .. slurp.. most notable of all the seafood dishes from the appetizer to the 5th course was the freshness of it without the fishy taste.


6th course: Charcoal Grilled fillet of tasmanian grass fed beef with tetsuya's wasabi mustard

The beef was very well done and tender. You might call it the perfect cooked beef. (I confess that at this point.. we were getting quite full already.)

The wait staff was very attentive although you hardly notice they were there. The water glass was filled as soon as you put down the glass.

wasabi mustard

7th course: Japanese ohmi wagyu from shiga prefecture with wasabi and citrus soy

This course was a interactive one in a way that you had to assemble the ingredients to form a roll. Also, the chef also grated the wasabi with a sharkskin grater. (He explained that this was so the wasabi didn't have a "metal" taste to it.) He even showed us the grater. WOW.

fresh wasabi grated in shark skin

The garlic chips inside the wagyu gave it crunch and the wasabi gave it some spice.

By the end of this course, we were then moved to the main dining room. (It was already 8pm and the next seating would be coming in. It felt like a intermission. we were seated with a view of the bay and the light show outside as a bonus.

We has a choice of a hot and cold dish (me and my husband chose one of each to get a taste of both)

Consomme with rice and snapper (my husband liked this)

Gyokuro

Dessert:

Granita of kyoto grapes

This tasted so far from grapes--- I have to say It tasted more like "caimito" - a local fruit we had.

Musk melon with sauternes

Mont Blanc

Ghin cheesecake---This is a very light and airy cheesecake. one of the best I have tried since it tasted more like a mousse than a heavy cheesecake.

birthday cake for hubby

coffee tea and petit fours

One of the things that amazed me was the production. It was not a meal but a SHOW. There was suspense, the production of it all. Not knowing what will come next.

Tetsuya is a genius. The only way I can describe it was like going to see a broadway show. You not only eat food but have some kind of participation, interaction plus the element of surprise.

It was only in the end where you get the full menu of what you ate. Like memorabilia.

If you can splurge on a meal once in your life... I highly recommend eating at this place. hands down.. the best!

Of wines, oils and vinegars... discovering VOM FASS

I was wandering the new east wing of shangrila mall when I happen accross the soft opening of this new store. VOM FASS.

This store is selling various varieties of liqueur, (like lemoncello from Italy, honey pear liqueur) among other things.

They have a variety of oils from argan oil, sesame oil, walnut oil, garlic oil, chili oil and even white truffle oil!. You can taste them too. The truffle oil really tasted like truffles. The prices are quoted per 100ml. They have a menu of recommended combinations of oils and vinegars if you are confused at all the offerings.

 They also sell a variety of malt whiskey, rum and brandy. Since I don't drink, I don't know if they are any good. But you can get a free taste. (although some are quite pricey!! 3000/100ml! gosh dang!)

I really like the balsamic selection ... I use a lot of balsamic.! 

liqueur sélection

coffee liqueur

You buy bottles to put your selections....! I think these are pretty good as gifts. Don't you?

what i went home with

The aceto balsamico maletti is quite nice.. really thick consistency.. like balsamic cream. I was told it has been aged for 15 years. (price: 720/100ml). Cooked with it this morning. pretty good stuff. I also bought raspberry balsamic vinegar. I want to try it on my salad. One of the others that I liked was the Honey vinegar-- which I might try when I go back. You can refill the bottle you bought from them and try other varieties of oils or vinegars. Might do that after I finish what I bought.

VON FASS also has a US website here in case you want to take a look. The young people behind the counter when I went must have been the local franchisees. Pretty young and innovative I think.

The shop is located at the lower ground floor of East wing Shangrila plaza right beside the showroom of delonghi.

The Luxe Manor

ICE ICE BABY... DUN DUN DUN DUN DAD DA DUN DUN.....

-- this room reminded me of that song.. hahaha  (love the fur on the ice chairs... !!!)


So, since we are talking about HK and my trip, Let me just say that I LOVE The luxe manor. 

One of the hotels I frequent because of the wonderful interiors and superb service as well as its proximity to the subway and eating places.

For this trip, I got UPGRADED to one of its suites. THE NORDIC.

I joined the small luxury hotels of the world (its free to join) and one of the perks is you get upgraded.

I had been previously upgraded to the suite MIRAGE (sorry forgot to take pics).. they actually name all the suites and every suite is decorated differently. I would  love to get to try them all.

THE NORDIC suite is decorated like its in Scandinavia

the powder room - notice the "ice" basin

   the living room with the cool "ice" chairs

 we even have a nespresso machine

 ice blocks with fur cover. COOL

 the bedroom

 don't you just love the snowflake carpet?

 lamp shaped like ice...

. 

where can I buy these door knobs?

Coming home to this is zoo relaxing. having endured a nightmare dinner HERE... if you have a chance. Stay at this hotel.. you get free wifi and breakfast is included. (smoked salmon anyone?)