Siem Reap, Cambodia (2013) Day 5: Banteay Srey, Kbal Spean & Beng Mealea

Date Visited: 5th March 2013

Another day for another temple sightseeing in Siem Reap but this will be our final day to do so, cause on the next day, we will leaving this incredible and amazing place permanently. Compare to the most temples of Angkor Grand Circuit we visited on the forth day, the temples we visited on final day were slightly crowded with the number of visitors. 

Banteay Srey

Banteay Srey is another Cambodia temple dedicated to Shiva, the God of Hindu. It is built largely of a hard red sandstone, a medium that lends itself to the elaborate decorative wall carvings which are remain well-preserved until today.

#1: Red coloured stone of Banteay Srey 

Originally, it was called "Tribhuvanamaheśvara" which means Great Lord of the Threefold World and Banteay Srey is the temple's modern name. Banteay Srey indicates citadel of the women, or citadel of beauty which this name was given due to the many devatas (celestial dancing girls) carved into the red sandstone walls.

#2: Banteay Srei is well-known for the intricacy of its carvings

Kbal Spean

From temple, we moved on to Kbal Spean, an archaeological site of Angkorian era which located more than an half hour from Banteay Srey. Luckily my friends and I all came here with an appropriate footwear cause it requires to climb the hill for like almost 30 minutes before we could reach the temple itself. But no worry, it's not that difficult to climb after all and along the journey up to the hill, the rainforest path was absolutely stunning and breathtaking.

#3: A series of stone carvings in the river bank.

Upon reaching the site, we saw a series of ancient and sacred carved into the riverbed. These carvings are commonly known as "Valley of a 1,000 Lingas" or "The River of a Thousand Lingas". They’ve been etched into the river at Kbal Spean for almost a thousand years, and are believed to bless the river water that washes over them. Besides the lingas, there are actually various Hindu mythological motifs, including depictions of the gods Shiva, Vishnu, Brahma, Lakshmi, Rama and Hanuman as well as animals such as cows and frogs.

#4: Waterfall and at Kbal Spean

Before we make a move down the hill, we came across a clean and clear waterfall and we took some time to touch it as it believed to bring luck. It was indeed cold but at the same time, it was pretty refreshing. 

#5: Part of the trail in the rain forest

Beng Mealea

Among all the temples and sites we went, Beng Mealea is one and only tourist spot that my friends and I had to fork out additional US$5 before we could possible visit the site whereas for the rest you could possible utilise by using the 1 Day Pass or 3 Days Pass. This is because Beng Mealea is not part of Angkor Archaeological Park.

#6: An entrance fee of Beng Mealea cost US$5

#7: Part of Beng Mealea

Before we could eventually enter into the main area of this temple, from the outside we could see that this temple was completely ruin and collapsed. And because of this, we were absolutely intrigued and can't wait to explore what can this temple offers.

#8: One of the raised libraries of the outer enclosure

Beng Mealea, means lotus pond in Khmer is indeed a spectacular sight to behold. It's one of the most mysterious temples at Angkor, as the nature has well and truly run riot. It is one incredible hidden jungle temple and in order to access into main area, this is where the real Indiana Jones adventures begin. My friends and I had to climb over the huge piles of stones which were unstable and uneven as there is no proper pathway provided. Seriously, I don't this place is suitable for small kids and elderly to visit as it requires dangerous climb.

And because of that, without I realised upon climbing this, my two and half years Nike sport shoe was totally damaged by the end of the trip. But thank goodness, my shoe chosen on the final day to end its lifespan instead on the first day because buying completely new shoe and travel around is totally inconvenient for me. However, I am absolutely disappointed with Nike shoes lately cause I thought it could be last for at least 5 years but I was wrong.

#9: The ruin temple of Beng Mealea

#10: When the nature has well and truly run riot

It is recommend to arrange at least a day trip to visit Banteay Srey, Kbal Spean and Beng Mealea as they are located quite far distance away from the city centre.

[Credit To: Wikipedia, Lonely Planet]

Foodie Friday: Foods in Siem Reap, Cambodia

Travelling Period: 1st March - 6th March 2013

Let's take a break from temple sightseeing and now let me share what my friends and I had for our meals when we were at Siem Reap, Cambodia. Although there are not much variety comparing to our pride Malaysian foods, but there are still some reasonably good and affordable priced restaurants around serving both Western cuisines and local foods. Most of these restaurants are concentrated in the Old Market and Pub Street areas.

NOTE: All are charged in USD.

#1: Our lunch on first day at a random eatery nearby KFC in Sivatha Road where they served authentic Khmer cuisines such as Fried Rice Loklak

#2: Second day lunch at the guest house we stayed where they served both Western meal and local cuisines.

#3: Pizza for dinner on the second night at Pub Street

#4: We had spaghetti, pizza, onion rings and more of these Western meals in a restaurant known as The Pizza Company located in Angkor Trade Centre


#5: Siem Reap also has Swensen's, a global chain of ice cream restaurants

 
#6: Buffet feast with wide selection of Asian foods and few western foods to choose from while watching the ancient art of Apsara Dance 

#7: One and only Chinese cuisine we had throughout our trip on the forth day in Wood House Restaurant located nearby Pub Street. Not bad but quite oily. 

 

#8: Local meal for lunch on the fifth day nearby Kbal Spean

 
#9: On our final night, we settled down with Western cuisines at the well-known Red Piano Restaurant in Pub Street.

One thing I love to travel with big group of friends instead of travel alone is where we can order and share many type of different dishes at the same time. In the event where one travel alone, you can only order either one or two (if you are big eater) but this would be whole lot different when being in a group of friends. The more the merrier, right?

#10: Last but not least, thanks to my friends for the birthday cake. I had my second birthday celebration abroad (My first celebration was back in Beijing, China almost 10 years ago)

Siem Reap, Cambodia (2013) Day 4: Part 2 - Tonle Sap Lake

Date Visited: 4th March 2013

Once we done with the Angkor Grand Circuit tour, we requested our driver to stopby at KFC for our lunch break. We did spot this fast food chain restaurant right on the first day we reach Siem Reap and honestly to say, this fast food is definitely can't run away from our staple meal. Of course, if there is any McDonald's outlets available, for sure we will list it as one of our itinerary but so far, the huge yellow M logo  with red background hasn't breakthrough into Cambodia market yet. And so we did try Cambodia's KFC but not much different from Malaysia one.

After satisfied our hungry tummy, we moved on the our final destination on the forth day - visit the infamous Tonle Sap Lake. Tonle Lap Sake is the largest freshwater lake in South East Asia and it is an ecological hot spot that was designated as a UNESCO biosphere in 1997.

#1: The entrance fee to the floating village is US$10

#2: Dry season by the time when we were there

As my friends and I went there during the dry season, thus the water level was very shallow and our boat hardly to make the move from where its docked. While waiting for the boat driver to move the boat, instead of splashing by the water, we were trying so hard from being splashed by wet and dirty brown mud. 

#3: Floating houses on stilts

After waited for almost half an hour, finally the boat managed to cruise along the canal and soon, we came across the floating village which consists more than hundreds of floating houses on the both side of the river banks. For your information, Kota Kinabalu does have floating village as well but not as huge as the one in Siem Reap.

#4: The villagers daily routine is different on dry and wet season 

From what our tour guide told us, the villagers daily routine is divided into two distinctive seasons; the dry and wet one. During the dry season where the lake shrink and the water level is low in between the month of November to May, the villagers would take this opportunity to dry their catches, repair boats and we even saw a group of kids playing football happily.

#5: We managed to catch the sunset in Tonle Sap Lake

#6: Floating plants with sunset as the background view

Luckily us got to see the sunset before the sun decided to give way to the night. Although the view wasn't that spectacular and breathtaking comparing to the previous sunset views we ever experienced, but still watching sunset in Siem Reap is one of our wishlists and glad we managed to accomplish this. And to our surprised, we didn't spot any boats except ours for this sunset experience and phototaking.

#7: Catching fishes is their main source of income for living

#8: Their catch for earning and living

Our boat ride lasts roughly around one and half hour and I glad we didn't approach by any crocodiles along the cruise. I won't say this trip is a pleasant and interesting experience but definitely it is one true eye-opening trip for us to appreciate and be thankful for what we have in our life, especially when we are living in more fortunate life comparing to these villagers.

Despite their poor living and working conditions, the villagers were friendly and the kids especially, smiled and waved at us when we passed by them. They even happily performed "Gangnam Style" dance to us. How cute those kids were?

Siem Reap, Cambodia (2013) Day 4: Part 1 - Angkor Grand Circuit

Date Visited: 4th March 2013

Most people came to Siem Reap just to visit the well-known Angkor Wat, Bayon Temple and Ta Prohm but there are actually quite number of temples worth for you to spend some time for visit. Almost all the temples we visited on the forth day were less crowded with low traffic of tourists, hence it is good for us because not just we had peaceful time to wander around, we don't even have to worry our photos with any expectation of photobomb.

Pre Rub

#1: The reddish colour Pre Rub temple 

Pre Rub is a temple mountain with a combination of reddish colour bricks, carvings and sandstone construction. Pre Rub is quite high and it is kinda tricky to get on the top due to its tricky and uneven stairs. But once we got on the top of this temple, the climb is worth the climb as the view from the top was simple amazing. 

 

#2: View from the top of Pre Rub

Most reviewers said the best time to visit Pre Rub is sunset to get most colorful photos but then bear in mind, it might the busiest time for visit as well.

East Mebon

#3: East Mebon

Located not far away from Pre Rub is East Mebon, a medium-sized temple, rising three levels and crowned by five towers. This temple was mainly dedicated to the God of Hindu, Shiva and honours the parents of the king. Looking from its size, it's slightly smaller than Pre Rub. The most interesting about East Mebon is the large standing stone of elephants at the corners and lions alongside the steps which were still well intact apparently.

#4: East Mebon is well-known for its two meter high free standing stone elephant at the corner

Ta Som

#5: 

Ta Som is another relatively small and classic temple we visited but the uniqueness of this temple is it seems like combination of both famous Ta Prohm and Bayon Temple. It's quite fascinating especially when we saw the giant tree growling out of the ruins temple at the final gate of the temple. 

#6:

Neak Pean

#7:

This monument of Neak Pean or the entwined naga is an artificial island with a Buddhist temple on a circular island. It was originally designed for medical purposes and during the ancient times, this was believed to be one of their hospitals. This temple is accessible by a pretty long wooden pathway across a swamped area and upon reached there, we were quite disappointed as Neak Pean was surrounded by fence and one nnot just couldn't get nearer, but couldn't see the structure from different angles.

#8: The wooden pathway across a swamped area - The only thing I enjoyed here

Preah Khan Temple
 

#9

The final temple we visited of the day - Preah Khan Temple. Preah Khan is another temple similar to Ta Prohm, where it has been left largely unrestored, with numerous trees and other plants growing among the ruin temples.

#10

#11: Playful is my middle name

This tour runs through Preah Khan, Preah Neak Pean to the Eastern Mebon and other temple monuments of Ta Som & Preah Rup is known as Angkor Grand Circuit. It is actually an extention of the Small Circuit Tour (Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, Bayon, Ta Prohm and more).  

Foodie Friday: October Coffee House, Kota Kinabalu

Lifestyle cafes in Kota Kinabalu are springing up like mushrooms after the rain. There are more and more options of these cafes opened lately and honestly to say, it's kinda hard for me to chase up sometimes. Just when you notice there was one just newly opened in Lido Plaza, but the reality there are three cafes within the vicinity. And so far, I have only been to few of them and hopefully more to come in future.

Out of few cafes I visited previously, October Coffee House is the one recommended by majority of the netizens. They said October Coffee House serves the best and finest coffee in Kota Kinabalu town and without hesitation, I decided to give a try.

Up to date, October Coffee House has three outlets located at three different location; first one in Peak Vista, second one located in Wisma Merdeka Food Court but only for take-away and for the latest one located in Jalan Gaya.

October Coffee House - Peak Vista
The Peak Vista
Lorong Puncak 1, Tanjung Lipat,
88400 Kota Kinabalu,
Sabah.
Opening Hours: 11am until 10 pm (Closed on every Wednesday)

#1: Menu written on the blackboard

#2: Love the way they decorated these colourful mugs

#3: Pastries

For the very first time my visit to this coffee house, I dated both bloggers Cutebun aka Sherrie Pui as well as popular and well-known travel blogger from Korea, Runaway Juno for this coffee session. Luckily we went there earlier cause the place always packed.

#4: Hot cafe mocha

#5: Bruschetta topped with creamy cheese and tomatoes

Initially when I asked the staff about Bruschetta, they told me these grilled bread served with  minced beef but since I can't have beef, I asked whether can I have without the beef, the staff smiled and said ok! Even without the minced beef, oh my goodness, these bruschetta still taste so delicious. I can't wait for more.

I love almost everything about this coffee house except for one, it's really hard to find parking especially during peak hours. 

October Coffee House - Jalan Gaya

Jalan K.K. Bypass, 

Pusat Bandar Kota Kinabalu, 

88000 Kota Kinabalu, 

Sabah

During the Chinese New Year holidays, one of my BFF came back from Singapore and hence, we decided to do cafe hopping. We noticed the latest October Coffee House outlet is located right in the middle on Kota Kinabalu town and straight away we went there right after our dinner.

#6: Instead displayed on blackboard, this outlet's menu is printed mug-shaped wood

#7: The mugs tree

#8:

#9: Browse the menu, make your choice, order and pay at the counter

#10: Meals for four of us

#10:  Caramel Macchiato

#11: Green Tea Latte

#12: French Toast

#13: Chocolate moist cake

#14: Cheese cake

UPDATED ON 5 APRIL 2015

 

#15: Bonding time with my mom on Good Friday holiday. Their green tea latte is awesomely good and look at their pretty cute coffee art. Meow :3

And for your information, based on the survey done by Sabateats.com for Favourite Coffee Cafe in Kota Kinabalu, October Coffee House ranked as the No. 1 best coffee in town. They even beat the international coffeehouse chain such as Starbucks and Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf. Well done, October Coffee House!

Now, I can't wait to return to this October Coffee House for more.