S'were-s'dai (Hello in Khmer)!
Yet another memorable place to mark down on my atlas. Gone were my 10 days there, but glad that I brought back worthy loads of sweet memories. Gained were wonderful friends, great fun and not forgetting the bonding we shared.
Goodie good! I'm back from Cambodia.. erm.. since long time ago. Well, maybe some of you might know that going to Cambodia has been my dream for a very very long time.. oh yes.. I do mean a very very long time.
Yesssh.. Trip has been good. In fact, it was so much fun, so much so that I didn't really want to come back home. Erm.. well, you see, its not the first time I enjoyed myself overseas.. and almost everytime, I didnt want to come back home.
Excitement rose as I touched down at Siem Reap Airport early in the morning of 7th Oct. Following that, I was treated to a delicious DIM SUM brekky!!! Wooo~~ my favourite ah!!!
Don't you just love to Yum Cha!
Remember that Yum Cha place slogan??
"yin char, yin chu zhen gan qing" (I told you I am an avid TV commercials fan!)
To add a hint of the "Chao Ah Bengs and Ah Lian-ish-ness" to my blog.. I'm gonna bring you to...
see WAT see! (also know as Kua simi kua?)
Wat (in Thai meaning Temple) in Siem Reap is definitely something that you can never miss out. In order to “acclimatize” myself to their warm and humid weather and to immerse into the country’s rich history, I had the privilege to spend my day going round and round from Wat to Wat. Among the many Wat we visited are Bayon, Angkor Thom and Ta Prohm. Then again, the highlight of it all has got to be the Angkor Wat tour.. Ahem ahem.. why has it got to be the highlight? Cos, yours truly managed to put some of her good photographical skills to test again.. and without fail, some of the pictures turned out classic and pretty.. just like myself. But of cos, some of the shots on my blog were taken by other budding photographers from my team of shuttlebugs too.
Previously one of the Seven Wonders of the World – Angkor WatAngkor Wat is truly visually, architecturally and artistically breathtaking. It is a massive three-tiered pyramid crowned by five lotus-like towers rising to a massive 65 meters from the ground. It is no wonder why it was even listed as one of the Seven Wonders of the World previously.
Yet another memorable place to mark down on my atlas. Gone were my 10 days there, but glad that I brought back worthy loads of sweet memories. Gained were wonderful friends, great fun and not forgetting the bonding we shared.
Goodie good! I'm back from Cambodia.. erm.. since long time ago. Well, maybe some of you might know that going to Cambodia has been my dream for a very very long time.. oh yes.. I do mean a very very long time.
Yesssh.. Trip has been good. In fact, it was so much fun, so much so that I didn't really want to come back home. Erm.. well, you see, its not the first time I enjoyed myself overseas.. and almost everytime, I didnt want to come back home.
Excitement rose as I touched down at Siem Reap Airport early in the morning of 7th Oct. Following that, I was treated to a delicious DIM SUM brekky!!! Wooo~~ my favourite ah!!!
Don't you just love to Yum Cha!
Remember that Yum Cha place slogan??
"yin char, yin chu zhen gan qing" (I told you I am an avid TV commercials fan!)
To add a hint of the "Chao Ah Bengs and Ah Lian-ish-ness" to my blog.. I'm gonna bring you to...
see WAT see! (also know as Kua simi kua?)
Wat (in Thai meaning Temple) in Siem Reap is definitely something that you can never miss out. In order to “acclimatize” myself to their warm and humid weather and to immerse into the country’s rich history, I had the privilege to spend my day going round and round from Wat to Wat. Among the many Wat we visited are Bayon, Angkor Thom and Ta Prohm. Then again, the highlight of it all has got to be the Angkor Wat tour.. Ahem ahem.. why has it got to be the highlight? Cos, yours truly managed to put some of her good photographical skills to test again.. and without fail, some of the pictures turned out classic and pretty.. just like myself. But of cos, some of the shots on my blog were taken by other budding photographers from my team of shuttlebugs too.
Previously one of the Seven Wonders of the World – Angkor WatAngkor Wat is truly visually, architecturally and artistically breathtaking. It is a massive three-tiered pyramid crowned by five lotus-like towers rising to a massive 65 meters from the ground. It is no wonder why it was even listed as one of the Seven Wonders of the World previously.
This photo was taken from a very popular spot infront of the main building of Angkor Wat. The only word I can use to describe it... B E A U T I F U L!!!!
And walking over to another side of the Wat!
Guess this is considered their East Wing..
And a couple more random shots of what's inside the Wat.
Eh, can't help but have to admit that I'm indeed talented right?
Yes, you had better feel that way, otherwise you can forget about asking me out for supper in future. Hrmpt..
And if you think taken photos is what your dear friend here is capable of.. then your are wrong.. cos Cheerene is good at striking a conversation with anyone at anywhere..
"Cheerene - Bringing you closer to her heart once more" ohh sweet!
And here's the one who fell for it. Hey.. No Cheesy pick up lines please.
Okie, nuf of my crap.
So to begin the voluntary work we have set out for... first stop was a floating village situated right out of no where.. but it was 2 hours of journey away from Siem Reap Town.. (not for folks who are afraid of waters and those who get sea sickness). A fair bus ride followed by a long long boat ride.. and the worst bit is.. the boat got caught in the middle of the lake in the midst of all the mangroves.
So first thing we did upon arrival was to divide the team into 3 groups to do house visits and deliever some food supplies to the poor villagers.
Me and my small team travelling on a really flimsy boat which everytime when we step out of it, the boatman has to scoop out all the water seaping thru the slits in the boat.
I was terrified to see the first house we visited sinking at least 5cm into the water as a small team of us stepped into it. Water just rushed into the house, sending cockroaches and spiders running over your feet! And yet, this is what they call home.
And back at our base, a floating church, we started preparing the food for the children and their families. These poverty-stricken families were invited from all over the village to have a meal over at the church, we called it the "Rice Soup Program", specially catering to the poorer folks of the village. Not only that, we even taught them some simple basic English words and alphabets.
Cheerene helping out in the kitchen once again!
There is a Chinese saying.. "jing de liao chu fang, chu de liao ting tang", meaning "can enter kitchen and walk out of the living room". I always knew I will make a perfect wife one of these days.
Not only that, I really think I have a great smile.
Those are the little volunteers with the church.
Now who says the kids can't dance?
I like to move it move it!
The Maternal Instinct.
Awww~~ come to Mama.
My mum always think I am childish, cos I mingle extremely well with kids in general. But I guess this group will have a much different impression of me, cos I keep tricking them into losing the game to me! Haaaha!
No, I'm not a Kid! Really! But I have to say, I still enjoy those kiddish games once in awhile.
No, I'm not a loser!
The little one who peed on my pants! Hrmpt!
The hour has come for us to leave the village.. and without a doubt, my heart was heavy.
Heroic farewell!
That marks our end of our visit to the floating village as we had to travel back to land and head for our next destination, Proyouth Village.
As the night sets in, we finally reach our destination @ Proyouth. And little did I know, my stomach was already growling like nobody's business.. hence I really spared no time to sit down for my well deserved dinner!
Specially prepared by the villagers, simple yet delicious! Yummy! Obviously everyone was starving!
And here's my room for the rest of the week at Proyouth. Doesn't it remind you of those camps you used to have when you were younger? And the next best thing is, electricity is being cut off at 10:30 everynight. Sorry, we gave you the fan, but we aren't gonna give you the power to use it!
Erm, so what's the point then??
Well, we still have a couple of day light hours, isnt it? Grrr...
Oh well.. here a couple of shots taken at Boys' Brigade Learning Centre.
Here it is, standing at its gate.. Taa Daa~~ BBLC
The long long way home..
Country road~~ take me home~~ to the place~~ I belong~~~~~~awww~
Maybe that's where I really belong? Hmm, you wouldn't know man!
Sunset sia.. just remind me so much of those roooolmantic movies again..
aiya! *kok* my head! How many times must I remind myself.
I must "borrow" my current favourite again.. "Oh My God, So Beautiful!"
We may not be having Killiney Kopi O, but at least we have Nescafe Gold! Don't play play ah!
Eh people.. instead of working and checking your emails.. you stand here and "lim kopi", you still need your job or not huh? Tell your boss!
Getting back to the main point once again.. we were there for 2 main tasks, that is to repair the road and to conduct some English classes.
The Road Repair Project was indeed an eventful one. First was the attack by the snake(s)!
Ok.. maybe this photo is already scary enough. Chill mate! Just for fun only!
Anyway, here is our slithering friend. He was the second one caught on camera! The first one was prolly its 1.5 meter long mummy cobra. But for safety reasons, both of them were made into soup dishes on their fateful day.
Can you understand why the road needs to be repaired? What's more, we are already going into the dry season already.. talk about wet season where it practically rains non-stop!!??!!
Its almost unimaginable.
Some smart ass was indeed smart enough to test the depth of a big pothole...
Ahh.. No doubts on her intelligence!
Measuring depth in the most authentic way!
Up next, local delicacies..
OMG, its sashimi at its freshest!
I really can't imagine what will happen if this slimy thing actually slip off my gloves.
I got muscle one hor! Who says only guys can be tough!
This is the POWER PUFF GIRL!
Sometimes, when the scorching heat gets the better of you..
Trust me, I can understand how you feel...
Now alittle more serious side of me...
You SEE that? You SEE that?? I'm really working my ass off!
Now thats quite abit of work there!
After all the sweat and pain you go through, the neighbours are really fine with you slipping into their hammies for Siesta!
Remember folks, always ask for permission. Not everyone walks straight into people's house and sleep in their hammock successfully like me.
Alternatively....
Heading back to your quarters, find a quiet spot, you'll be fine there too.
After our day of hard work cum great workout cum fantastic tanning, its really great to reward ourselves with a group pix!
Smiles!
Heading back to the Learning Centre, we teach as well! But of course, with me around, I really have to include the funnie elements into everything I do.
After years of being Orientation leaders etc.. I do developed the habit of playing the Adjective Games with younger audiences. I always have ready-made adjective cum names at the back of my mind!! Things like..
Cheerful Cheerene, Lovely Li Ping, etc etc..
and I guess the best still came from Ben, who bestowed me with...
Cheeky Cheerene!
omg! Anyway, Thanks Ben!
Here's everybodies' favourite "Cheeky Cheerene"!
That's all our SBS dancers and "Fiona" with her green Shrek ears!
Oh and anyway, I left my green ears being in Cambodia with Vichny with a promise that I will pick them up the next time I visit them.
And being a person who never sits still, do you really think I can stay in the centre all day long?? Ahh haa! definitely NOT!
It always takes 2 hands to clap, and my partner for my adventure has got to be my best buddy isn't it!
Can you smell the conspiracy going on between the 2 of us? Heehee..
So its once again, a little time for some adventure again!
We are heading off to the local district market! Pouk Market!
The dirt road leading to the market which is like 25 minutes walk away.
And if you remember those kind of Kampung days where kids don't use handphone but just walking right up to your doorstep and drag you out for a game of "Hop Scotch" kind of thingy.. thats exactly what happened.
Vichny was holding onto my hand asking if I wanted to have Silorn joining us on our little adventure.. and before I know it, we were at his doorstep already.
Before we move on too far, we decided its "that" time again!
Say Cheese Everyone!
I know this will never work in my life.. Just imagine that I were to stand at Chewling's door and ask her to go shopping with me immediately, I think by the time she is ready to go, I would have been standing at her door for 2 hours already. I doubt she would even invite me into her house for a drink???
And there we are at the market already..
Here's a nicer side of the market. My shots taken from the other side turns out pretty dark, cos honestly, it was really darker over the other side.
Ahhh... French loaves!
My best buy of the day has got to be my fave Cowboy hat! And that's a whopping 5000 riels!! OMG!! Must buy!!
Later in the day, some of the kids got really excited and decided to bring us straight deep into the very edge of the village at a dam.
Guess what? They actually threaten to throw me into the dam! But hey, I'm a nice person in general!
Here's the girl gang!
Oh.. and that funny fella with his back facing the camera was Ben. Oh gosh, he just can't stop being funnie. oh well.. neither can I.
Ahh.. here comes the heavy and "hard to stomach" part.. on the last night of my stay at BBLC, I actually lost sleep once again. Despite all that hard work and sweat in the day, all I needed was a good nite rest then, but somehow, I was overcomed by my emotions once more. All.. I felt so bad then..
I knew deep down I will be missing the kids there. These kids were just so much a part of my life there. They had really brought out the kid in me once again. Aww man.. I really miss the great feeling. Miss the good old times when we played 3 minus 1 in the fields. Its a new game which I learnt from them!
On our last day there, we threw a party for the kids. They were such good sport to be willing to perform for us.
That's my Vichny buddy
Skillful Silorn as he calls himself
SreyNeang, I know she will be hotter than Spice Girls someday
Vichea. Oh, don't you think his name is cool? I thot it sounded awesome!
We had a Scanvenger hunt too..
And there I was giving away the prizes to our winning team!
Following all the dances, songs and games.. here comes Cheerene's favourite again!! Its photo taking cum autographing session!
That's a more normal me! Well, you see, best buddy deserves to have a proper photo with me!
Look, they made me cards!
That's the boys group!
Ahh Haaa! Here's the funnie group!
I always thot Zitta looked like Patricia Mok..
Amara is another funny one who gave me a hell lot of fun there..
And the girl in pink is Lyny. Gosh, you know what? She is the Top student in the school man! OMG!
That's Reaksa and Me! (This is kind of a cheat, I took this picture way long ago in the morning, not like what I've mentioned thats during the photo taking session)
I thot I looked abit funny in this photo somehow.
Reaksa wrote 2 fantastic books regarding his life and how he managed (by God's Grace) to walk thru the darkest period in his life and overcome vengence and forgave the people whom killed his whole family. Many times, I was brought to tears by his words.. you really have to read it to believe it..
Gosh, he even autographied my copy of both books.
I can lend you my copy if only you promise not to drool on my book.
Signing autographs!
Oh dear, I just felt as if I'm a superstar! I knew I would make it one day! I'm gonna have my own fan club!
The last shot before we head off..
Right infront of Vichny's house
We boarded the bus to send us back to Siem Reap Town for the night. While I was on the bus, I was reading the letter and cards given to me. So much feelings actually swelled up within me. I was utterly chocked with emotions that I can hardly express. As usual, I would try to force myself to sleep, but I failed again.
Back in town, we checked into the hotel once again for the night.
It was R&R for the rest of the day then. So we decided to catch up on our shopping there. Following that was a really cheap and standard massage. It was indeed a bone breaking experience! Eeks!
Soon, it was time for dinner.. we decided to settle ourselves with some roadside munchies..
Not suitable for the weaker tummies!
Being the silly-O-me, I just had to do something idiotic just for the heck of it..
Ok.. this is suppose to be a "HK-Styled: gun-shot fighting scene" not a "SG Comedy-Styled: OMG! I'm Pregnant! scene"
Think I totally spoilt the picture for Sarah.. oppps.. sorry girl! OMG, I sure look gross.
I was totally too engrossed with my "Hey Pouk Mark" hand sign and I guess it will last me for at least a couple of months more..
Ok.. this is suppose to be a "HK-Styled: gun-shot fighting scene" not a "SG Comedy-Styled: OMG! I'm Pregnant! scene"
Think I totally spoilt the picture for Sarah.. oppps.. sorry girl! OMG, I sure look gross.
I was totally too engrossed with my "Hey Pouk Mark" hand sign and I guess it will last me for at least a couple of months more..
How will dinner ever be complete without ice-creams??!! Arrrghhh.. Run people, Run!!
To the Blue Pumpkin we go!
It has got to be the best in town man!! Remember to check out the Sinful chocolate Ice-cream.
Sweet tooth anyone?
Pretty in the Jar!
Melts in your mouth, not in your hands!
Rise and Shine, the next morning, we began our journey to Phnom Penh. Oh gosh, I guess you must have heard that we ran over a cow.. now.. here's the evident:
If you zoom zoom zoom in.. you will see a slimmy thingy at the area which was crashed. Well, thats the cow's intestine. Totally gross me out... geeez..
The impact was so great that it sent the cow sliding by the bus in a circular motion. It was an instant and definitely painful death for the cow. I was totally stunned for a moment.. I realised, if the bus had turned to avoid the cow, it would plunge a bus load of 20 into, possibly, a massive accident.
It was definitely an eventful journey. But nevertheless, we arrived at Phnom Penh safe and sound. Now time has come for us to reward ourselves with a good meal to awake our senses once more!
So.. introducing..... the BEST BEEF BOWL!!!!
Wah, I tell you ah.. This is really something to DIE for lor!
The beef was so juicy and tender. The soup was so steamy hot and yummy. All dished with a generous serving of veggies! I really will give this the Ultimate 5 stars rating man!
So yeah, as Phnom Penh weren't generally a place too safe for night travel especially when you are not a local.. its really better to stay indoors. Hence.. we decided to go indoors.. and more specifically.. Ben's door! heeheee
Well, if only card playing is an Olympic Event, otherwise I don't think I will ever have a chance on the center stage of the Olympic Games.
Adults' favourite past-time.. mindless rounds of funny "Asshole Dai Di" and forcing the "Asshole" to drink till he or she drops.
Hence being a good player, I'm never a good drinker.
But of course, sometimes, a little amount of alcohol can cause undesirable/uncontrollable actions:
Not to get too worked up even with a lousy hand. Oh come on, its only a game.
Not everyone can win a Casino with $10 USD. That only happened in that "Shuang Tian Zhi Zun" TV Serial lah.
Not to belittle this "sports", I used to get my daily income from this during my primary school days. That sort of explained why I'm so numerically inclined. I knew I will be a great banker one day!
Back to serious stuff now..
The next morning, we gathered down at the lobby for our final destination which is the Dumpsite School.
Here's the half asleep shuttle bug working on her camera. Wah.. this is pro-ness lor!! Can work on her camera with her eyes closed. I think I can become "Yan Kun" already.. (Yan Kun was the blind father of Yan Fei.. do you now believe I'm an avid TV fan???)
Arriving at the dumpsite, you will be really "impressed" with the horrendous amount of garbage. Not to mention the smell.
This is the way leading to the village. This is already considered the better path. Can you imagine I got my whole feet stuck in mud earlier on.
And we thought those stuff were gross.. think of having to live there for a life time... we ought to be grateful for what we already have. At the very least, you don't have to open your door to see your backyard as such...
This!
We Singaporeans are a blessed bunch, isn't it!!
Getting down onto business, upon reaching the school, we had a quick cleaning up and started our lesson proper.
The young ones~~ oh darling we're the young ones~~
Oh yes, I suppose I'm not too far off from this age group.
Oh gosh, don't you just love his gorgerous eyes..
**Psst.. no prizes for the fastest painter!
Miss Wee at work again.
Read blog also have to take 5 lah... Gimme a break man!
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Choose teaching as a profession
Moulding the future of our Nation
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Has everyone been faithfully following the HK TV Serial "Tian Ya Xia Yi". Well, Irene and I have been great fan of that show. She was into the story then while I was more into the "sight-seeing" aspect of it. Ok.. you know what I'm up to again.
I have a feeling I'm going to become the next female lead of that sequeal that is coming up!
My little patient waiting for her wound to be cleaned and dressed.
Silly and hare-brained as I may seem, but I'm first-aid trained, not to worry. You will be absolutely safe with me!! Certified by the Australian Red Cross ok!!
But truthfully, I'm always very inspired by such shows and documentaries where doctors/volunteers journeyed on roads less travelled to reach out to poverty stricken folks. For these are the people who see the needs and are willing to go all the way and touch lives. How many of us can bear to surrender our comfy life here, step out of our comfort zone and do such wonderous act out of love for humanity??
It takes heaps of prayers and loads of courage to do it.
Up next...
A very raw glimpse of History of the Khmer Rouge Regime. Countless sad tales you will hear, groteseque torturement on the prisoners. All in all, accounting to almost 2 million deaths throughout the country.
Maybe its really far too sad a tale I would want to share. Again, I have to do my advertisment again...
Get those 2 books from me!! Its a good read! I promise I won't charge you a cent if only you promise not to drool on my book!!
Here's the ever favourite pose!! This is a pagoda which housed hundreds and hundreds of skulls of the victims uncovered in this grave-site.
The actual grave site.
If only you were there to hear the atrocities done upon the innocent children
He survived to tell his story.. The Survivor
One of the only remaining 3 survivors. The old mister in the previous photo is the tallest guy right in the middle of this picture.
And after going thru such sadness in life.. the only way to heal my wound is... RETAIL THERAPY!!
The shopping is goooood.. I tell u ah!
You really have to master the art of bargaining to survive there! Every single dollar counts! A peek at Central Market!
Its that time again! And everybody loves Dinner time!
Oh boy! I've got everybody do it!
Everybody now~~ yeahhh~~~Rock your body now~~~ Woooh! Hey Pouk Mark!!
Babes chilling out at FCC by the river!
Yup, and there we are chilling out on the last nite of our journey on the road less travelled.
Hold you horses, girls!! We have an early flight to catch the next morning!!
And so, back here I am, sharing my journey with you. Hope reading has been good so far.
**Much appreciation goes to our donors for your donations in kind. Rest assured that the full amount had been handed to well-deserving beneficiaries in both Siem Reap and Phnom Penh (about $1000 to be shared equally by beneficiaries). In addition, we have contributed over $6000 for the road repair project at Proyouth Village instead of our original target of $4800. And as of friday, we have received news from our Cambodian correspondance that part of the road under repair has entered the final stage of construction which is the cement pouring stage.
PTL!
