Cambodia: the streets

 I couldn't resist a few more photos of Cambodia.

Cambodia: Siem Reap beyond the temples

While the temples were the highlight of Siem Reap, the people were a close second.

The Cambodians we met had a great sense of humor and were kind to our fumbling attempts at speaking Khmer.

So this was our ride for three days.
We hired a driver through our guesthouse and he waited for us at each site, gave us water, made us laugh.
Pretty much, he was the whole package.
Plus, he was the fastest, yet safest tuk-tuk driver around.

He worked at Prohm Roth Guesthouse which we found using Airbnb.
It was basic, but sufficient.
At $14/night, it was a steal.

Amok: a traditional Khmer dish served in a banana leaf.

Coconut milk for all! (Yes, that is a coconut.)

Cambodia BBQ was one of my most favorite eating memories of this trip.

We had heard about Cambodian BBQ and asked our driver if he knew a place.
He said he wasn't sure if we would like it, but knew of one popular with the locals.

He dropped us off and then shouted from the tuk-tuk, "Help yourselves!"

It starts with a buffet. Once you sit down, your table is given this cauldron of sorts with a flame underneath. Oil is put in in the donut-shaped dish and you cook/grill your food.

How it all worked was not obvious to us. We spent half the time watching (gawking at) everyone else and copying.

I cannot tell you what we ate. I can only give you vague ideas (meat of some sort, noodle-ish stuff).
We believe the white thing on the top of the grill plate is a piece of fat. The only English our waitress spoke was "No eat" as she pointed to that.

It was fantastic, so it must be true that ignorance is bliss. :)

Indulging in cheap "spa" treatments was the highlight of Cambodia.
After walking for hours all day, my poor swollen feet (the heat and humidity ballooned them right up!) needed some TLC.



We enjoyed a fish pedicure (pictured above).
Technically, the fish are supposed to eat off your dead skin.
In reality, it just tickled like no other.
Since we didn't drink beer, we got the pleasure of feeding the fish for only $2. :)

We were also spoiled with amazing $3 foot massages.
I mean, seriously.

We really loved our driver.



He tried to teach us Khmer, but we failed miserably.
I am so grateful for his patience and forgiving smile every time we botched our pronunciation.

Aside from shopping (night and wet market) and eating, we kept our evenings pretty low key.
Low key = jet-lag drunk and passed out by 8:30.
The 14 hour time difference was a beast.

We were sad to leave to adventure awaits in Thailand!

Cambodia: The Temples

Cambodia is the tops.
Seriously.

I spent three days speechless (me? speechless?).

Here's the quick rundown: Cambodia is home to the lost city of Angkor. The sprawling complex (154 square miles) houses the remains/ruins of beautiful and mystical Buddhist and Hindu temples built as early as the 9th century.

For three days we lived on a steady diet of temples, eat, sleep and repeat.

I mean, wat in the world?
Bad joke. Forgive me.
The wat (temple) just above is the big kahuna. The holiest of holies.
Angkor Wat, built in the 10th century, is just wow.

We arrived at 5 a.m. to catch the sunrise.
Still jet lagged, I put my maxi skirt on inside out.
Aaaaaaaand didn't realize until three hours later.
I'd like to think I am a more glamorous version of my self when traveling, but I am the same old Stephanie.

And so the temple hopping began.

Angkor Thom and the many carved faces of Bayon.

Temples, elephants and crowds. Typical Angkor day.

Visiting Angkor Prohm AKA the Tomb Raider temple.
Nature has taken back the ruins as the tree roots conquer the structure.
It is magical.

Bless our guide's heart.
Every picture he took of us is crooked like this.
I'm beginning to think he did it on purpose....

 Pano.
Cambodia is lush and green.

And just in case it seems like we were relatively alone, this ^^ is the reality.
I am scrappy in crowds and it really paid off.

The crowd is swarming at Angkor Wat for the sunrise.
Some dedicated fools had their tripods in the moat to get the coveted shot. I squatted in a maxi skirt in a pile of mud. Dedication, my friends.

Cambodia was just wow.

Valentine Card Round Up

Even though we tend to keep Valentine's a low-key affair, I  love to leave Jacob funny Valentine's throughout the week hidden in his lunch, briefcase, wedged in his laptop, etc. Most of the ones I send are completely random and off-key, so I hope he gets a good laugh every time he finds them.

A recent crop of hilarious Valentine's have been popping up just in time for the big day. Hope they'll inspire some for your love.

Truth. But seriously. Card via emilymcdowelldraws on Etsy 

 Mean Girls Valentine's (my personal fave) via Buzzfeed

HP Valentine's via tumblr

 Villain Valentine's via Buzzfeed

 Obligatory punny cards via Jared Andrew Schorr

More punny printables found here and here.

Happy Valentine's, loves!

Happy Weekend!

It's been a cold, yet fun last couple of weeks.
Skiing, Ice Castles and my baby sister's band gig were the highlights.
More snow is on the forecast and we're preparing by drinking copious amounts of hot chocolate while we watch the Olympics!

What's your favorite sport?


Faves from around the internets this week:

"Sound of Music" style farewell to Jay Leno.
Sochi Opening Ceremonies: Russian Police Choir perform "Get Lucky"
Audition videos of famous actors. I LOVE Rachel McAdams!
Gone Girl was so effed up, but I was riveted and I devoured it in three days.