Mbah & Atok go to… Cambodia - Day 3
Day 3: Kampung Thom - Siem Reap
Monday 13 November 2023
This is a series of Mbah’s and Atok’s travelogs to Cambodia on 11-18 November 2023 originally published in Mbah’s Facebook (some original formatting have been modified to suit this blog page presentation). You can read the rest of her postings (and the originals in Facebook) here:
- Day 1 - Part I: Kuala Selangor - Phnom Penh (published in Facebook on 11 November 2023 at 18:08)
- Day 1 - Part II: Phnom Penh (published in Facebook on 11 November 2023 at 22:22)
- Day 2: Route to Siem Reap (published in Facebook on 12 November at 20:49)
- Day 3: Kampong Thom - Siem Reap (published in Facebook on 13 November 2023 at 21:50)
- Day 4: Angkor Wat & Lara Croft (published in Facebook on 14 November 2023 at 23:20)
- Day 5: Siem Reap round and about (published in Facebook on 15 November 2023 at 23:21)
- Day 6: The loop to Phnom Penh (published in Facebook on 16 November 2023 at 23:24)
- Day 7: Phnom Penh round n about (published in Facebook on 18 November at 00:08)
- Day 8: Phnom Penh (published in Facebook on 18 November 2023 at 19:02)
The norm for early morning thought, among the many, is breakfast. Where to? Since Kampong Thom has a very small Muslim community, we need to go along the way to Siem Reap till we meet the next mosque. Masjid Krachab. The mosque is not right smack by the main road, it was a bit further in. We did not go to the mosque but right after the turning, we spotted ladies wearing tudung selling meat. Beef. Fresh and dried.
Then we spotted a Halal signage in front of a stall. Alhamdulillah, breakfast is served. We had nasi ayam and beef noodle soup. Yummy. The owner, Arafat could speak Malay. In fact, a few Muslims Cambodia could speak Malay. Arafat has been to Malaysia and worked as a tailor and then as clothes salesman. Then only he came back, got married and now has two young kids who he referred as Along and Angah (3 year old cutie pie). He said that his stall is the only halal stall around the area.
While having breakfast, i noticed a lady who came to the stall with a small bag of beef (daging cincang). He gave it to Arafat and in return, Arafat gave her a bowl of beef noodles. A barter trade. Alhamdulillah, the kind of understanding that they have is a win - win situation.
We learn quit e a few things from Arafat like the boiled egg that has been mixed with herbs is not for us. We saw those eggs yesterday and have been intrigued by it. We tend to ask about local delicacies to local Muslim before consuming them.
We said goodbye to Arafat and continue to the next destination, Kampong Kdei Bridge, an ancient laterite stone bridge. It is also known as Spean Praptos. It is believed to have been built in the 12th century and it is depicted on the local 5000 riel banknote.
After about an hour of ride, we stopped at a petrol station in Chi Kraeng, in search of hot coffee. AK needed the caffein boost. Me, had to wait for a wee longer to get my sugar cane drink, just a few kilometres away. The sugar cane drink in Cambodia is infused with a bit of lime. We like it a lot and has been consuming them. I would rather have sugar cane or coconut drink for they are natural and friendlier to the tummy.
Off we went to our abode in Siem Reap - Rithy Rine Angkor Residence. We arrived earlier than expected but the kind receptionist allowed for early check in at 12 30. Not suspecting anything, we went to the room accompanied by Anna the receptionist. AK was behind me and not knowingly was recording. A beautiful room with beautiful swans on the bed. An anniversary surprise. Saying love is AK but showing love is not much of him. This is one level up, thirty years. Well done lah AK. The wifey is really taken aback by this loving gesture. Luv u to bits.
Rested for a while, while admiring the swans. Need to dismantle them for we need the towels. Bye2 swans. Till we meet again.
Dinner was at The Siem Reap Backpackers Halal Restaurant, a km away from the abode and a few steps away from Masjid An-Neakmah. This is kind of the Muslim settlement of Siem Reap. We had aubergine with beef (interesting) and amok fish (delicious). Coffee after that. That costs us USD 7.50.
While waiting for the food, we got talking to the owner. From politics to education. The school has two sessions - morning from 7 00 to 11 00 and afternoon from 1 00 to 5 00. The parents could choose the session for the kids for the year regardless of which class year they belong to. The main thing is that to get the kids to school. Schools are funded by the government but parents help out with some things like buying books etc. The conversation lingers around the similarities and differences of life in Malaysia and Cambodia. WE MALAYSIANS are privileged in many ways. We are blessed. Let’s work on making this better. People from many of these regions wished upon the life that we have.
We decided to walk off our dinner along the night market near Cheers Lane. The place is frequented by global tourists. You could hear the different languages being spoken. Not much of this kind of place, thus home we went. A cup of 3in1 Milo (bawa dari Malaysia). Alhamdulillah. What a beautiful ending to the thirtieth Anniversary Day. TQ AK.
Night2 kids. Night2 everyone.
This is a series of Mbah’s and Atok’s travelogs to Cambodia on 11-18 November 2023 originally published in Mbah’s Facebook (some original formatting have been modified to suit this blog page presentation). You can read the rest of her postings (and the originals in Facebook) here:
- Day 1 - Part I: Kuala Selangor - Phnom Penh (published in Facebook on 11 November 2023 at 18:08)
- Day 1 - Part II: Phnom Penh (published in Facebook on 11 November 2023 at 22:22)
- Day 2: Route to Siem Reap (published in Facebook on 12 November at 20:49)
- Day 3: Kampong Thom - Siem Reap (published in Facebook on 13 November 2023 at 21:50)
- Day 4: Angkor Wat & Lara Croft (published in Facebook on 14 November 2023 at 23:20)
- Day 5: Siem Reap round and about (published in Facebook on 15 November 2023 at 23:21)
- Day 6: The loop to Phnom Penh (published in Facebook on 16 November 2023 at 23:24)
- Day 7: Phnom Penh round n about (published in Facebook on 18 November at 00:08)
- Day 8: Phnom Penh (published in Facebook on 18 November 2023 at 19:02)
The norm for early morning thought, among the many, is breakfast. Where to? Since Kampong Thom has a very small Muslim community, we need to go along the way to Siem Reap till we meet the next mosque. Masjid Krachab. The mosque is not right smack by the main road, it was a bit further in. We did not go to the mosque but right after the turning, we spotted ladies wearing tudung selling meat. Beef. Fresh and dried.
Then we spotted a Halal signage in front of a stall. Alhamdulillah, breakfast is served. We had nasi ayam and beef noodle soup. Yummy. The owner, Arafat could speak Malay. In fact, a few Muslims Cambodia could speak Malay. Arafat has been to Malaysia and worked as a tailor and then as clothes salesman. Then only he came back, got married and now has two young kids who he referred as Along and Angah (3 year old cutie pie). He said that his stall is the only halal stall around the area.
While having breakfast, i noticed a lady who came to the stall with a small bag of beef (daging cincang). He gave it to Arafat and in return, Arafat gave her a bowl of beef noodles. A barter trade. Alhamdulillah, the kind of understanding that they have is a win - win situation.
We learn quit e a few things from Arafat like the boiled egg that has been mixed with herbs is not for us. We saw those eggs yesterday and have been intrigued by it. We tend to ask about local delicacies to local Muslim before consuming them.
We said goodbye to Arafat and continue to the next destination, Kampong Kdei Bridge, an ancient laterite stone bridge. It is also known as Spean Praptos. It is believed to have been built in the 12th century and it is depicted on the local 5000 riel banknote.
After about an hour of ride, we stopped at a petrol station in Chi Kraeng, in search of hot coffee. AK needed the caffein boost. Me, had to wait for a wee longer to get my sugar cane drink, just a few kilometres away. The sugar cane drink in Cambodia is infused with a bit of lime. We like it a lot and has been consuming them. I would rather have sugar cane or coconut drink for they are natural and friendlier to the tummy.
Off we went to our abode in Siem Reap - Rithy Rine Angkor Residence. We arrived earlier than expected but the kind receptionist allowed for early check in at 12 30. Not suspecting anything, we went to the room accompanied by Anna the receptionist. AK was behind me and not knowingly was recording. A beautiful room with beautiful swans on the bed. An anniversary surprise. Saying love is AK but showing love is not much of him. This is one level up, thirty years. Well done lah AK. The wifey is really taken aback by this loving gesture. Luv u to bits.
Rested for a while, while admiring the swans. Need to dismantle them for we need the towels. Bye2 swans. Till we meet again.
Dinner was at The Siem Reap Backpackers Halal Restaurant, a km away from the abode and a few steps away from Masjid An-Neakmah. This is kind of the Muslim settlement of Siem Reap. We had aubergine with beef (interesting) and amok fish (delicious). Coffee after that. That costs us USD 7.50.
While waiting for the food, we got talking to the owner. From politics to education. The school has two sessions - morning from 7 00 to 11 00 and afternoon from 1 00 to 5 00. The parents could choose the session for the kids for the year regardless of which class year they belong to. The main thing is that to get the kids to school. Schools are funded by the government but parents help out with some things like buying books etc. The conversation lingers around the similarities and differences of life in Malaysia and Cambodia. WE MALAYSIANS are privileged in many ways. We are blessed. Let’s work on making this better. People from many of these regions wished upon the life that we have.
We decided to walk off our dinner along the night market near Cheers Lane. The place is frequented by global tourists. You could hear the different languages being spoken. Not much of this kind of place, thus home we went. A cup of 3in1 Milo (bawa dari Malaysia). Alhamdulillah. What a beautiful ending to the thirtieth Anniversary Day. TQ AK.
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