0330: *yawns*
0400: making our way to the airport. Bet i was up earlier than any bird in town.
0430: Reach Changi Airport. Almost fell asleep on the cab. Check in and we decided to catch some kopi to wake us up.
wj trying out his new nikom D80 on ahren....makes ahren feel like a star!
Siem Reap AirportThe whole place look more like a resort more then an airport! The architecture is done in a pleasant traditional Cambodian style, very inviting and the interior is surprising modern!
It really give visitors a very good impression of Cambodia! I thought it was a pleasant little building on its own.
The airport also have a nice bookshop where you can get Stef's "Happy Painting" and cafe, flower shop and duty-free shops which sells "Angkor Artisan" where I got my silk scarf the last time when i was here.
So i thought my transit time past by quickly as i was so entranced by its own courtyard and i was so busy taking photos!
The BLUE LIME hotel
2, street 19z (off street 19),Phnom Penh, Cambodia Tel: +855 (0) 23 22 22 60
Our street is off street 19, behind the Royal Institute of Fine Arts, which is at the back of the National Museum.
The Blue lime is a 14-room urban accommodation, with a lush exotic garden and a swimming pool, centrally located, between National Museum and Royal Palace.
The rooms, garden and pool are modern minimalist, with concrete furniture, all covered by a free 1Mb/s wi-fi.
1000: Reach our hotel but we were too early to check-in. So i wanted to visit the Royal Palace (which was just outside) before it closes at 11am. However, the palace grounds were so huge that when we finally found the main entrance, it was closed for lunch.
*sheesh*
outside the palace grounds - i still must say this
Look at the mustard colored walls!
1100: So since we can't make it, then let's have brunch!
Friends
Address: 215, Street 13; 855-12 802-072
One of a collection of nonprofit restaurants in the city that employ young Cambodians to help them get started on a career. Among the offerings are an excellent Khmer seafood soup with lime, and a coconut lime cake with passion fruit syrup.
Drinks to quench our thirst!
Great tapas and beautiful vibrant colours!
The food is not bad, very well presented, an ever-changing tapas menu of local and international favorites like spring rolls, fried rice, good salads, and a host of desserts.
This is a great spot to cool off and have a light bite while touring the city center (right across from the "must-see" National Museum...which is our next pit-stop!); the place is a cozy open-air colonial in a courtyard done up in primary-color murals of the kids' drawings. The name of the restaurant means "good friends".
1230: After having our tapas, rested our feet, drew a few doodles, jot a few notes, paid the bill and we are off to our first must-see touristy place - National Museum!
National Museum (next to Royal Palace)
Beautiful Sandstone museum opened in 1920 and showcases many fine examples of Angkor Wat statuary. No Photography is allowed.
The museum was built in 1917–20 by the French colonial authorities then in control of Cambodia, in a traditional Khmer style, with French influence.
Personally i thought this place was better than the Royal Palace
okay... *pretends* i'm not seeing you taking any photos here....
*click click click *
more clicks...we are on such a beautiful ground.
In the central courtyard which has a lotus pond, and right in the centre is the statue of the leper king.
1300: After the National Museum it was time to walk back to our Hotel to try our luck at checking in. And we walked past the Reyum Institute! (small place, nonetheless a gallery)
Reyum Institute of Arts and Culture 47, St 178
Run by Ly Daravuth, a French-educated curator and cultural historian whose past exhibits have included wat paintings and sculptures made from everyday objects. Reyum also publishes a collection of books on Cambodian culture that you won’t find elsewhere.
Finally, we got our room!
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