Cambodian Adventures

Despite my last post, not everything in Cambodia was depressing. Nor was it only temples. We did a few other activities in our time in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh. 

Cooking Class

We went to a lunch cooking class at a restaurant called "Le Tigre de Papier".  Before donning our attractive red hats and aprons, we went on a market tour where they showed us what the ingredients looked like in the market. Then we chopped veggies, smushed ingredients with a mortar and pestle, simmered and cooked and presented our food. We cut and folded bamboo leaves into bowls and designs (not my strong suit) and carved little birds and flowers out of carrots (also, not my strong suit). 

Rolling Spring Rolls

We each got to pick an individual appetizer and entree as well as a group dessert to make. I chose veggie fresh spring-rolls (simpler to make than I thought!) and Fish Amok (a delicious Cambodian non-spicy curry style dish made with coconut milk, Palm sugar, garlic, tamarind and a few other things I can't remember). For dessert we made Mango Sticky Rice (so so so so good).The meal turned out to be the best meal we are and we made it ourselves (sort of).

I made these!

Pub Street

There is an area near the night market in Siem Reap called Pub Street. Teaming with tourists and tuk tuks, it is a drunken loud mess of a neighbourhood. We didn't go too crazy but enjoyed some of the 50 cent happy hour beers (apparently happy hour ran from 4-11pm - ha! Should be a happy evening!). 

50 cent beers!

Phare Show

One evening we went to the Phare Show. It was an acrobatic, theatrical performance with a social message put on by a theatre school that teaches to disadvantaged street youth. It provides them with training so that they can earn a living as an artist. The show was called Sokha and it was about a young girls experience living through the Khmer Rouge era and learning to live again afterwards. It was based on one of the founders of the school's life. It was really really good. Not only could you understand the plot without needing words (they used an interesting plot device with an artist doing live painting to indicate time changes) but the acrobatics were amazing too! A must see with a worthy cause if you visit Siem Reap. 

Seeing Hands Massage

I have never had a massage before. So why not have my first one be a socially responsible one? This organization trains people with vision impairments in massage and at $5/hr, Simon, Karen and I went for it. It was a modest room but we could do three people at once. It was pretty good! I have nothin to compare it to but I felt great afterwards!

...and it WAS very good!

Pool Time!

One evening in Phnom Penh, we were feeling particularly grimy and hot. A fancy hotel at the end of our street had a rooftop pool and a deal that if you paid $4, you could go swimming and get a free beer! So we jumped on in (literally). It was relaxing and nice. Great way to unwind at the end of a long day. :)

Next stop, Ho Chi Minh City and Vietnam!