Siem Reap, Cambodia (2013) Day 1: First Day in Siem Reap

Date Visited: 1st March 2013

Since ever my collegemates and I graduated 6 years ago, we always wanna have a gathering trip but it's not easy anyway cause sometimes it's difficult for us to find the suitable date for us to gather for a trip. Finally, like finally we managed to arrange our hectic schedule for a gathering trip and for my part, I managed to secured airtickets to Siem Reap, Cambodia for 7 people, at least. Although not many of my collegemates able to join this, but at least I managed to gather few of us. And here we are to the "Kingdom of Wonders".

The flight to Siem Reap from Kuala Lumpur was as early at 6:50 am. As usual, I reached LCCT one night before the actual flight as I had to fly over from Kota Kinabalu. Two flights in a row was extremely tired and exhausted but I can't wait for our adventures around Siem Reap. The journey took almost 2 hours and finally we reached the destination we've been waiting for almost a year.

#1: Siem Reap International Airport, second largest airport in Cambodia and its modern architecture is based on the traditional Khmer style.

#2: Welcome to the Kingdom of Wonders signboard

Once we got out from the arrival hall, we were greeted by a friendly local driver which we hired directly from the guest house we reserved. His name is Sao Titan and we called him, Sao. He is very good in speaking English and he always told us many kind of jokes, including some dirty jokes as well. He dropped us in our guest house before starting our tour at 5pm of their local time. By the way, Cambodia time is 1 hour behind our Malaysia time.

#3: MotherHome Guesthouse

We booked 4 rooms and three rooms were ready by the time we reached. We even allowed to check-in earlier. More review of this guest house will be in the next upcoming post.

Once we done with everything, we went out for lunch hunting. Can't wait to explore more of Siem Reap city.

#4: Motordop which commonly known as tuk-tuk

#5: KFC? Perhaps next time

#6: We settled down in a small eatery which served most on local foods - especially Khmer dishes. 

[Clockwise from left: Fried Rice Loklak, Rice with Chicken, Coconut shake, Angkor Premium Beer (local beer) and Bread Omelet with Vegetables]

#7: From there, we took tuk-tuk to Old Market for another souvenirs hunting. So many things can be found here - fridge magnets, keychains, T-shirts, handicraft and silks which are incredibly cheap.

Right at 5pm of local time, Sao, our driver picked us up from guest house to purchase the 3 Days Temple Pass.

#8: For more info about the temple pass, refer above.

#9: Paid directly and on the spot, they will snap photo of you directly. Must keep this pass properly cause any time, they will do investigation or checking before entry to certain temples.

Done with passes, we went to Phnom Bakheng for sunset viewing.

#10: What a long queue before can go up to Phnom Bakheng

#11: Before back to the guest house, we requested Sao to drop us at Art Center Night Market which similar to Old Market but its only open during the night time.

Hotel Review: The Everly Putrajaya Hotel

The reason why I didn't update my blog for almost two weeks is not because I was travelling or busy but I was too lazy and procrastination most of the time. Prefer spending my time with my family and Boyfie instead.

Date Stayed: 8th June - 12th June 2014

I was in Putrajaya last few months for Girl Guides National event and the event was held in The Everly Hotel Putrajaya. We even stayed in this hotel throughout the 5 days and 4 nights event. This hotel is quite well-known by the worldwide cause this is where the families and relatives of the passengers of the missing MH370 airplane gathered here.

#1: Situated in Precinct 1, The Everly Hotel Putrajaya is connected to the Alamanda Shopping Centre making this hotel absolutely an excellent and strategic location. 

Travelled alone by myself, I took taxi once I got off from Putrajaya & Cyberjaya KLIA Transit Station and when I thought that the travel distance would be less than 5 minutes, I was completely wrong. The journey took more than 10 minutes.

#2: Gracefully designed lobby with plenty of seats for the value guests

By looking at the lobby, I know that I can't wait to look at the hotel room. Funny thing about this hotel was there are two lifts, one directly to all the rooms whereas the other one to the function hall and most guests, including me got confused right after the check-in procedures. I guess, the hotel need to train their staffs properly on how to assist and give clear direction to the guests.

#3: Colourful and well-designed deluxe room twin sharing furnished with comfort carpet

This spacious and cozy room is equipped with Wireless Internet access, LCD television, coffee and tea maker, ironing facilities, mini refrigerator, hairdryer and in-room safe. The room given to us was directly facing the view of Alamanda Shopping Centre .

#4: Not just leisure, perfectly for the business group of people for them to keep track and do their work.

#5: I personally love the couch area with plenty of cushions. 

#6: Hand towels, bath towels and basic toiletries are available in the spacious and moderate clean bathroom.

#7: As our room comes with complimentary breakfast, this was where we had our hearty breakfast every morning in Fuze Restaurant which located on the ground floor.

Comparing to the rest of the hotels I stayed before, honestly to say the breakfast provided here was much more better which comes with plenty of selection from Asian to Western meals. For Asian, one morning with nasi lemak, fried noodles and so on and the other morning served roti canai. As for Western, they served sausages, ham, toast, red beans and more.

#8: Swimming pool with the Putrajaya lake view

Overall, I was indeed enjoyed my stay here and whenever there were break time between the event, I just spend my time staying in the room instead of going to the nearby shopping complex. So comfortable that I don't even feel like wanna go back home at that period of time.  

The Everly Putrajaya Hotel 

No. 1, Jalan Alamanda 2,

Precinct 1, Putrajaya, 

62000 Kuala Lumpur,

Malaysia.

Foodie Friday: Excapade Sushi @ Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam

Date Visited: 17th February 2013

In order to fly to Bangkok directly from Kota Kinabalu, we don't have many choices and all required transit, either in Kuala Lumpur, Singapore or Brunei. And since we flew with Royal Brunei Airlines, we had to transit in Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital city of Brunei for almost 8 hours before reaching back home. Luckily my relatives are staying there, hence we decided to get out from the airport instead of stuck inside the airport and doing nothing for the whole long 8 hours.

Again, the thing that my family and I love to do in Brunei is definitely to satisfy our crave towards the cheap, huge and fresh sushi in one of the famous Japanese chain restaurant in Brunei. That would be none other than Excapade, which has quite number of outlets all over Brunei and this time around, we went the one in Gadong area, not so far way from the airport.

#1: Ready for the foods?

#2: Kani Maki and California Maki - My favourite kind of sushi

#3: Sushi

#4: Mentai salmon sushi

#5:

#6: Tamago sushi and inari - Another of my favourite

#7: Chicken Katsu Curry

#8: And more sushi

Well, actually we ordered more than the above cause my family and I were separated into two different tables but guess what, the total damages for almost 20 people of us was $170++ (roughly around RM425). Surprisingly cheap, right?

Excapade Sushi (Gadong Branch) 
Abdul Razak Complex, 

Bandar Seri Begawan BE3519, 

Brunei Darussalam.

Couldn't get enough of Excapade's sushi and more? Check out my first post of Excapade Sushi in Kuala Belait Branch.