Prologue:
My previous trip to Siem Reap was 31 May 2018, time flies like arrow....
2019, the 12th year of Inspiring Stars was a special one for all members cos' the filming crews of Tuesday Report (local documentary programme) came with us. Needless to say, everybody was very excited. For me I was kinda wearied over my kitchen renovation but sure I was curious of the filming.
Preparation started in Jan, even though we had not obtain the permit for filming. There were some issues then and filming might not be permitted. We would go ahead with the voluntary trip with or without filming.
You are looking at 350kg of pre-loved clothings, toys and bags.
We sorted them out and packed like pro.
And it's the first time we gotten tote bags for the school children!
It's very inspiring and motivating!
Funds were raised, god was with us, we gotten the filming permit and we set off on Valentine's Day.
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Destination: Siem Reap, Cambodia
Duration: 5D4N, 14 Feb to 18 Feb 2019
Mode of Travel: Self-organised. We had 3 private vans for transport and local guide (www.facebook.com/Jeepxplr) who's now a very dear friend to us
Flight: Jetstar
Flight: Jetstar
Hotel: Khmer Mansion Boutique Hotel (Apsara Double Pool View Suite - $379) and one night at Khmer Mansion Residence
www.khmermansionresidence.com
Weather: Warm and dry around 30°C
www.khmermansionresidence.com
Weather: Warm and dry around 30°C
Currency: USD most of the time though Cambodian Riel can be use
Time difference: 1 hour behind Singapore
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14.02.2019
CNY hadn't over when we left.
While we were having some food in the departure hall, one of the team member received a call to inform her that her bag was burst and asked her over. So it was one of the frakta bag that gave way, my friend said it was mummified and we couldn't wait to see it lolxx...
This gate was at the rear end, I remembered 2 years back I ran after a Hitmonchan here lolxx...
2hrs flight was a breeze and we were back to this familiar land again.
Here's the "mummified" bag lolxx... I think we should cling wrap all our frakta bags in future.
The airport was getting better and better with more meal options. Didn't manage to check this again.
The filming crews had arrived earlier and started rolling the moment we stepped out of the airport.
Purchased SIM card first.
Everything was moving slower but at it's best.
We moved on to a local coffee shop for early dinner, didn't like it but followed the rest.
Everything was USD4, they charged until very hiong lor.
In general, everything tasted fine, especially the hot dog and egg fried rice. My cutie nephew finished the whole plate.
Finally reached Khmer Mansion Boutique, they welcomed us as warmly as before.
Some how they were over booked and were confused for a long long time (like..... about an hour?). Finally resolved, my kid sis and I had to stay at one night at their sister "mother" hotel, Khmer Mansion Residence which was less than 5mins drive away only.
Went to the usual provision shop with the filming crews for the fun of it.
Besides the provision shop was this petrol station which became bigger and bigger, and finally with a Burger King within.
The filming crews also took scenes of the road, I was very amazed and amused of how different angles turned out on the screen. One of which the camera man squat down and took a video of moving vehicles, I stood behind him and wow wow wow.....
By the time we were done at the provision shop, the stationery shop was closed. Plans had to be adjusted but everything was still in good control.
It was around 8.30pm by the time my kid sis and I checked into Khmer Mansion Residence (it's CNY decor but looked like Xmas lolxx..).
It's about 1.5km away from Pub Street, walk-able but not recommended as there's a stretch of road without lightings or any shops around, not too safe IMO.
I called it the "mother" cos it was a lot more bigger than Khmer Mansion Boutique. The grand entrance itself was already 气派十足.
My kid sis who had seen more than half of earth couldn't help to let out a soft "wow".
Same welcome refreshments of pineapple coconut drinks, brownies and chips were served while preparing for check-in.
Beautiful, beautiful beautiful hotel. I didn't want to go back to the Boutique le.... I thought Boutique was awesome, Residence is on top of awesome, a level nearer to heaven. I love it here! It's a super blessing in disguise!
Deluxe Twin Room, room size 50m2, extremely spacious. Absolutely gorgeous with good facilities, I really didn't want to leave.
Click HERE for more information.
Love the natural stone used as a facet wall.
Even the ceiling was nice.
The mirror frame was mould from cement. In fact most of the decorations were crafted out of cement.
Cement wall decors.
Even the bed frame was made from cement.
The sliding wooden panels opened to the washroom.
The washroom was elegant with cement decors as well. Vanity top and bath tub was made of cement with stones, sanded down to smooth surface.
Felt very pampered by this water tap lolxx.....
Seriously, back then, nearly bought this type of water tap for my bathroom, but it costed around $250, had to consider le hubby's shallow pocket, haahaahaa....
Shower area with rain shower and normal shower heads, can sit down in here, I LIKE!!!
Divided by frosted glass partition was the WC area.
Pool view from the balcony.
I took pics of the balcony the next morning, cos couldn't see anything at night. So will post them on Day 2.
We dropped whatever we needed to drop very quickly and left the room to join the others. I noticed the beautiful wall lamp along the staircase.
We went to the pool for a while. This was their pool side bar.
Pool side lounge area.
Took a USD2 tuk tuk to Pub Street and went straight to Therapy Massage & Spa for foot massage. It's located at the junction of Sok San Road and Sivutha Road.
After trying a few parlors, this was still the best. We come until the boss and therapists recognized us liao. I even got my fav girl whom I would look for, heehee....
1hr massage USD5, price almost the same everywhere.
The entire Pub Street could hear the ear deafening music from Temple Pub. It was so bad that we didn't dare not walk into it.
We had supper opposite the foot massage:
The Chef 1950 Steak House
5 Street 08, Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia
Which means with the above address, can also find my fav massage place.
From here still could hear the loud throbbing base from Temple Pub.
It's a steak house but we didn't order any steak.
Delicious mussels with cream sauce.
Surprisingly, it's one of the most delicious fried rice I ever eaten. It had tiny crackers in it and the taste was very chinese. Could taste the wok hei and it's not oily.
I hope the standard remains and I'll be back!!
Braised quail with spicy garlic sauce.
Tiny wing here.
Charcoal grill cheese pizza. Had I ever mention that pizza in Pub Street is so worth it that you can forget about all and whatever pizza in Singapore?
I don't like beansprouts de, but kid sis and friend was enjoying it.
Pork belly very flavorful which came with chinese sweet dipping sauce. It's a pity that the skin was tough and not crispy enough else it would be perfect.
The above dishes were the of normal price like any other restaurants in Pub Street.
After supper we bumped into the filming team and we went to the bakery together to order baguettes for the school and villagers.
Crocodile loaves with huge cuts of cakes around.
Family and bakery together, with the kitchen outside the house.
The baguette was like 30 cents each and we bought one thousand pieces to distribute.
From Pub Street we took a USD2 tuk tuk (bargaining needed) back to Khmer Mansion Residence.
Very happy to be able to churn out one more post before going off to Okinawa.
Day 2 won't be out so soon since I am going away. It was full of tears of joy touching our hearts, I hope it's worth waiting and reading. Bye bye for now, hope to take lots of nice photos in Japan sia!
