PALAWANderers: Puerto Princesa with the Fam Bam

It had been ages since the rents and I traveled via air for a vacation. The trip was an early summer getaway since it commenced last February. Everything was arranged and paid (thanks so much to infinity) by my ever loving parents. 

We opted only to explore the city of Puerto Princesa since it was only a short trip. We stayed at Holiday Suites Hotel just across the newly opened Robinson's Mall. We availed the family room with complimentary breakfast. I love the food especially their danggit, it was one of a kind.

Since our flight's arrival is around 6AM, the hotel allowed us to check in early. We were able to rest for a while and prep up for the afternoon city tour. La Famila's so happy and excited about this so we had a mandatory group shot - so far my favorite one.

The first stop in our city tour was the crocodile farm where we had quite an educated time. It was entertaining to watch those massive reptiles fight for food.

Next stop was the House of Mitra where I find the scenery calming and reflective.

My favorite part of the city tour was our time at Baker's Hill. I think the compound gives much of a love vibe. The place was decorated so extravagantly with things that are very pleasing to the eyes. We also bought a lot of goodies from the well known Bake Shop.

After snacking, we went to Plaza Cuartel where we learned the hardships experienced by the armies during the Japanese War. There is a monument built to honor the memories of the fallen heroes.

Last in our itinerary was the visit to the immaculate concepcion church. 

After an enjoyable but somehow tiring city tour, we had to refuel our stomach in one of the city's top restaurant - Kalui. The ambiance was so nice and homey. We have to be barefooted inside the restaurant. That made it a more unique experience for us. The food was totally awesome. Loved the sinigang ni Kaka so much. :)

The next day was the day I always wished to come as it was the day we were to visit the Underground River which is a UNESCO world heritage site. En route the underground cave is a habitat for monkeys and monitor lizards. Everything was so majestic and breath-taking.

We also just learned that the hotel we were staying at is owned and managed by our distant relative, so my uncle had invited us for dinner at another well-known restaurant - Kinabuch. Food was also appetizing and delicious. Thanks so much to Lustre Family.

Last tour day was allotted for Honda Bay where we visited three islands - Starfish, Luli and Cowrie. Snorkeling was super fun because dad, shobe and I were able to bond closely to feed those cute little fishes. It was also in this tour that I were able to bond closely to my new found friends - Sheila, Jean and Tin. 

To cap off the vacation, my new friends and I decided to check out this popular bar called Tiki bar. Guess why the place is called such! ;) We had a good time because of the music, dance and booze. The fire dancer was also very entertaining. I went back  to the hotel just hours before my very early flight back to reality.

Sweet Siem Reap Experience

Siem Reap had always been in my bucket list, so when I was able to find a cheap flight, my only hesitation is to find a travel buddy for I never intended to explore the ruins alone. I am not here to discuss the history of the Khmer as there are many reference books available. I am here to let the world know that travelling to this Cambodian Province is a good way to have one of the best times of our lives.

Just a quick information:

• You will land via air at Angkor International Airport
• Establishments accept USD currency
• Mode of transportation are usually by tuk-tuk 
• We traveled in January so temperature reached only the highest at 32 degrees Celsius while at night it's around 19 degrees Celsius. 

1. Hotels are cheap, clean and comfortable

We stayed at Mudra Angkor Boutique hotel. Our room only cost 20 USD a night with complimentary breakfast. They also have a one way free shuttle to the airport. The hotel is of three to four star quality. They could also arrange your tours. We arrived at around 10:30 PM already, but the receptionist is patient enough to discuss how we could arrange our tours through the next 4 days of our vacation. They are also flexible to reschedule tours that could fit our time.

2. Awesome and Breath-taking temples

• Angkor Wat Complex - artistically and visually beautiful. Suryavarman II constructed this temple for the Hindu God, Vishnu. This is the first temple we visited and we spent half a day here studying the engravings and architectural designs. 

• Bayon Temple - The giant stone faces of Bayon have become the most recognizable images connected to classic Khmer art and architecture. We were given a limited time to explore the temple, so what we did is to ensure that we covered most of the grounds. I consider this as one of my favorite temples as the less complex designs make it more recognizable.

• Ta Keo - it's plainly decorated but it's massive and towering. I remember that I chickened out to climb the stairs to the top. I am really not that conditioned to do such temple climbing. It was also mentioned that this temple is dedicated solely for Shiva and it's the first one to be constructed wholly by sandstone.

• Ta Phrom - this is where the tomb raider was shot.  The temple is surrounded by gigantic trees giving it a jungle feels. We were observing the majestic artistry when we realized that it's so hard to navigate ourselves through the rubble. 

• Banteay Kdei - this temple resembles Ta Phrom. Since this was our last stop for the day, we haven't explored the area much because of exhaustion. I later learned that inferior sandstone were used here so deterioration of the structures could be very visible. 

• Bakong - it is the most catchy temple of the Rolous group. We were fortunate enough to climb up and enjoy the view.

• Preah Ko - also part of the Rolous Group tour. There were actually 6 towers displaying in the platform. We were too busy to block off people so we could have a good shots. The structure displays the use of stone instead of bricks. 

• Lolei - last on the Rolous group that we visited. There's a pagoda constructed in the area as the 4 towers are undergoing restorations. We were actually not able to have a look at the area as it is not accessible.

• Pre Rup - this temple has a very complex design and it is artistically superior to the other ones. We observed that it's also highly preserved compared to the other ones we had visited

• East Me Bon - my personal favorite maybe because the clouds were in good combination with the structures during our visit. It has 5 towers that are well preserved. We had a great time exploring the surroundings.

• Ta Som - the Bayon style is visible in the architecture. It also resembles Ta Phrom as trees grow within the ruins.

• Neak Pean -  the small island temple. We haven't observed it right away but there are serpents coiled around the structure.

• Preah Khan - the last on our list. It is a huge temple that is through and through. It has a lot of detailed wall carvings. It has also a similarity to Ta Phrom.

3. Most Exhilarating Sunrise

We managed to wake up early just to witness this! Lots of tourists were also ready to witness this beauty so photo ops not that recommended. Just live the moment! :)

4. Watching an Apsara Dance Show made me feel cultured

One of the things I love about traveling is the thought of learning a country's culture. It amazes me that despite of being colonize by the French, Cambodia still manages to uphold its traditions.

5. Phare the Cambodian Circus was way beyond I anticipated

When I though of Circus, I am guilty that I relate it to live chicken eating person, but the circus that we watched in Siem Reap was way different. It's entitled "Sokha". It shows the life of Sokha - how she managed her destructions by the Khmer Rouge into reconstructing social arts through using art as a form of healing.

6. Shopping is oh so cheap at the night market

Be it key chains, ref magnet or tshirt - everything is cheap here. You could still haggle with the price.

7. Khmer cuisine is a must try!

Since Cambodia used to be a French colony, breads are an integral part of the menu. Tonle Sap Lake is also around the area, so fresh fish are served in the restaurants. This is our lunch at Angkor Cafe.

An authentic fine dining was our experience at Barbe-Q. It's too much for two persons. Flavors are so rich that we cannot finish our meals.

Our hotel's complimentary breakfast. The one that I really love was the fried rice. It is so delicious and tasty.

Another lunch that we had during our temple tour - Chicken Satay. They have big servings so my friend and I decided to share this one.

Our last meal before flying back to Manila - Early dinner at Riverside Garden Hotel. I tried their homemade ice cream. It's rich in coconut.

8. Trying to learn the Khmer cuisine is a way to help the locals

We decided to try new things by enrolling into a cooking class. Upon researching, we learned that some of the proceeds are used for the improvement of the surrounding communities.

For the cooking experience, we enjoyed it so much that even if we had burnt our desserts, we still have our smiles in our face. We cooked some chicken curry, fried fish in sugar cane and fried pancakes.

9. Pub Street is good place to hang out.

Even if we weren't able to party hard in Angkor What and Temple Bar, we enjoyed the booze in more chill out setting at Red Piano and the bar across it (which we managed not to get the name)

10. Good company equals best vacation ever!

Bringing your best buddy in this trip is a must! To witness those breath-taking views would be 10 times happier if you are seeing it with a good friend. I am so thankful that Har joined me in this trip.

Last but not the least, the trip was way way happier because of the plane ride with this guy and the time we spent during the vacation. Who would have thought? :)