Farewell to Siem Reap

On our way out of Siem Reap
We had a very lovely time

Thank you!

Ancient Ruins

my favorite Bayon Temple



My fave of all the temple ruins is the Bayon Temple

It was quite striking and impressive

Cannot share all the photos as I'm planning to have a photo exhibit

of hubby's work

Am just the PR

With all the beauty in Angkor

So for now
Here are the few that made it

Enjoy....

More of Angkor Wat

After hearing Mass

We headed back to the hotel to have breakfast at Meric

Then went back to Angkor to explore the ancient temples

Best to wear really comfy shoes and clothes as it can get very hot and humid

Important to bring water as well as the heat can dehydrate

Thank you to the generous strangers

for taking time out to photograph us

Amidst the scorching heat

Here's to seeing more Wonders of the World!

Nest

outdoor dining at Nest

We got 2 beds at Nest, 1 for my hubby & myself, another one for the kids

on the way to dinner at Nest

This doesn't belong to this post, I just like it, haha

On our first day in Siem Reap

We had dinner at Nest, a few blocks away from Hotel dela Paix

It was nice lounging outside

Food was not bad

What's interesting is everytime we travel

I just get to thinking how all these remote places

Alright, technically, not that remote as it's a tourist spot

for one of the wonders of the world

but you know what I mean

They have nice restaurants

which have distinct personalities

I miss that in Manila

So, when in Siem Reap

Try out Nest

People were so pleasant too

Despite their not- so- pleasant past

And that, I think, is one of Cambodia's treasures

A-ha

Notice the fancy tuk-tuk of dela Paix, it's slipcovered!

on the way to A-ha, sister restaurant of Meric (Hotel dela Paix's restaurant)

birthday girl at 41

apples of my eye

Alright so I skipped several things we did but this is the easier blog, haha

Just sharing with you my birthday dinner at A-ha

A sister restaurant of the dela Paix's Meric

Khmer food, not really for me, but part of traveling is absorbing the culture

More importantly the Cambodian people are really pleasant and nice

It's like I felt we're royalty the way they treated us

In my family, my 3 boys really treat my birthday special

Well, I demand that from them, haha

Not frankly but in so many quiet ways, hahaha

They call June my birthday month

Oh well, I guess I've trained them well.

They're probably thinking

Thank goodness it only happens once a year!

after dinner, kids slept and hubby & I strolled through the hotel

The gorgeousness that's Hotel dela Paix

the stylish & hip Hotel dela Paix
Thanks to Jae Pickrell for letting me know about this hotel

their art gallery cum lounge

so gorgeous!

the bathtub in our room

Aside from the amazing temples in Angkor (will post more photos later)

What really made our trip relaxing, unforgettable & just truly wonderful

was the accommodation & hospitality which Hotel Dela Paix gave

Since I love interiors and I mean love them

Being in a hotel which suits my taste is utmost in the thrill of a foreign land

The hotel is part of the Small Luxury Hotels

and for me, no place to stay in but this hotel

They made our trip so convenient and special

from the pick up to the end

They even already sent a thank you e-mail when I was just at the airport waiting for the flight home!

Mere words cannot describe the style

and will not post all the photos

to keep the viewer intrigued about the place

When in Siem Reap

It's Hotel dela Paix

Here's to more wonders of the world!

Arriving Siem Reap

Siem Reap's International airport

Just arrived!

Not a lot of people go to Siem Reap at this time, low season

with the Luxe Guide, my fave when traveling

The flight to Siem Reap

was quite a challenge to book

as some flights were not flying due to low season

Apparently since it's raining this time of the year

Fortunately for us, it was good weather

albeit the drizzle we were given one day

Start of our trip, yahoo!

Siem Reap's Catholic Church

After watching the sunrise by Angkor

We had to head back to hear Mass for my birthday

They only have 1 mass everyday and it was at 6:30 in the morning

I was pleasantly surprised that in this dominantly Buddhist country

I can still find a Catholic Church

It was small and modest

but somehow gives you a real connection up there

I was even touched that the nun came up to us & asked me to read the reading

And thought what a nice gift and honor from above

There were like 15 of us in that small chapel

4 from our family

and several really small children that I can assume the nuns were taking care of

It was simple, solemn and sincere

It's heartwarming to know that despite the minority

They still keep loyal to their faith

In these times where the world's direction and moralities

are justified by comfort and worldliness

It is encouraging to see steadfast men & women

who stay true to their journey to holiness

God bless His people.

How I'm spending my birthday

41 today!

This is me at 5:30 a.m. today, waiting for the sunrise at amazing Angkor Wat

It's probably my first birthday that the only people

who greeted me

Aside from the most important ones, my family

are strangers from another land

I have no cellphone

and have not checked my e-mail, yet

Just really enjoying being away and admiring another wonder of the world
I was planning this post to be another way

But just to load one photo takes half an hour!

Will have to ask my hubby first to lower the resolution.

Til then, will be enjoying this amazing wonder of the world

Happy birthday to me!