Cambodia| Going to Kampot City

happened on March 9, 2016

relaxing view of the river

We woke up early as we still have  a very long travel ahead.  Too bad, I wasn't able to bike around.

the Casino building

We first went to the Swan boats to have a glimpse of the nice view and try the boats since we arrived here late in the afternoon the previous day.  It has a very nice scenery of the lake.  It's so picturesque.

I can sit here all day

 

We stopped over another newer temple and said some prayers for protection.  The details are also interesting.  

We almost missed out the real Old Palace where the Royal Families lived during the earlier times.  Just like the old French Catholic Church, I fell in love with this.  It's located off the road and very evident as an abandoned place,  Molds are slowly consuming it.  

the giant Buddha is so visible here

It was a five hour trip after but this time we were sweating due to the hot weather.  The van's air conditioning system can't even keep up with the weather.  We are definitely no longer in Bokor.  I missed the cold weather up there.

Kampot is located in southern Cambodaia and the capital of Kampot Province.  it is situated at the Praek Tuek Chhu river. It is the capital of the Circonscription Residentielle de Kampot under French rule and Cambodia's most important sea port after the loss of the Mekong Delta and before the establishment of Sihanoukville.  Its center is unlike most Cambodian provincial capitals composed of 19th century French colonial architecture.  The region and town are well known for the high quality pepper.  (source: Wikipedia)

It is evident that it was a French colony with some of the architecture in the city.  

The scenery of the river will give you an instant relief from the hot weather.

Since it's lunch time when we arrived, we went to the public market to buy some seafood and have them cooked.  This is the practice here.  We rented a cottage with hammocks overlooking the river while our food is being cooked.  Some peddlers will sell cooked crabs, delicacies, hats, sodas, water and anything there is.

fishing for crabs

these sales ladies were such a snob that we went away from them

you can also buy cooked seafood

their famous fish sauce

We just people watch and let our bodies rest from the long travel.  It's so hot that you wanted to jump into the river immediately.  

After our lunch and enough rest, we proceeded with the travel to the pepper farms.  Kampot is also known for this so we have to see the farm even it took another detour of one hour.

the huge farm

the peppers

We were not able to buy samples here but from the groceries instead.  I must say that their pepper is of great quality.  I'm still using it now for my dishes.

The travel may be longer and uncomfortable but it was all worth it.  I'm not even sure if I will return here.  My heartfelt and sincerest gratitude for this unforgettable trip A!

Cambodia 2016| Trip to Bokor Mountain

happened on March 8-9, 2016

This place is a great escape from Phnom Penh's scorching hot weather.

the entrance to the mountains

It was such a grateful experience that A treated us here.  Due to our very tight schedule, we only have two days for this trip.

market scene

Land travel is almost 5 hours from Phnom Penh so half day was spent on travelling alone.  From the entrance in going up the mountain, you will be welcomed with lots of flowers along the way and the cool breeze.  The mountain is being enveloped by fog.  The clouds have descended indeed!

so refreshing sight

the descending clouds

You will then be welcomed by this gigantic Buddha shrine.  It differs from the other Buddha statues as this one resembles a female and the color is bright, bringing some sunshine to this mountain.   Travelers usually stop here to offer some prayers.  There are also interesting natural stone carvings.

Pampanga| Widus Hotel in Clark

happened on October 29-30, 2016

It has been a while since our group of friends bond.  It's hard to regularly meet when all are no longer working in the same company. So, it's a relief to have longer weekends off.

the facade

We took the opportunity of the All Saints' Day celebration with four days off.  We booked in Widus Hotel (should be pronounced as "With-us") in advance and was able to get discounted rates.  My friend also shared her vouchers so we almost got some of the rooms half the price and with breakfast included already.

We first had our lunch in My Lola Nor's before checking in.

Widus Hotel is quite famous for its casino and nice swimming pool and very near Manila so it's a good choice for a weekend getaway.

The reception area is huge.  The only seating area is located beside the casino and I think is quite small for the influx of people coming in.  Checking in is fast and the receptionists are friendly.

huge space 

We were billeted in Tower 1 at 3rd floor. The lobby area in this tower is not also impressive.  The elevator is small and can accommodate 3-4 persons only.

the hallway

the lobby from above

the ceiling with natural sunlight coming in

Unfortunately, we don't have a nice view from our room.  The only nice view you can get here is overlooking the big pool; sadly nothing else.

Amenities of the deluxe room included two single beds (so small for two adults), bathroom with tub, hair dryer, coffee maker, bath robes, slippers and coffee and tea.  The room is spacious enough though the bathroom is too compact.

After checking-in, we proceeded to the duty free shops where we have consumed most of our afternoon (blame it on me hehe).  The only thing we can do when we went back to the hotel is swimming.  Swimming time is till 9:30PM only so we only had 2 hrs in the pool.  The attendants are helpful and always on guard with the swimmers. There are towels being given while inside the pool area.

The night was spent in one of the rooms drinking and chatting.  For a Junior suite, there is a mini kitchen with sink and microwave oven.  You have to request for plates and glasses though.  The room attendant is so patient with our requests.

Breakfast is in Salt Resto.  Since it's a holiday, the queue is long.  The staff were disoriented and in chaos.  We were seated after 30 mins.  They didn't even ask for our breakfast voucher so it's like anyone can enter.

I love the breakfast spread of Intercontinental and Asian breakfast.  I love how soft their breads are and the freshly made noodle soup.

freshly made pancakes and waffles

There is also a shop where you can buy some local and imported items.  There is also a huge event place adjacent to the hotel for special occasions.

Before leaving, we just had a photo ops in the pool area.  The kids were not able to take a dip in the morning since they slept heavily.

I don't know if it is just me since I have been to a numerous of hotels already. I find this hotel too expensive for the amenities and facilities it offers.  I'm not impressed with the interiors and even with the pool.  I think they could do a lot more.  The only advantage is that it's near Manila and there is a Casino inside but for non risk takers like me, I want something more.  The only consolation for me are the duty free shops.  

Anyways, the best part of our weekend is the opportunity to be with our families and closest friends.

the kids are growing up too fast

one fourth of the gang

**S7e shots