Siem Reap Diary (Day 1 & 2)

Hola amigas! Happy New Year and welcome to year 2554... in the Buddhist calendar that is. The New Year festival is called Songkran in Thailand. Pretty much last week was a holiday here, as well as the other Buddhist countries in the region, i.e. Myanmar, Lao PDR, and Cambodia.

Miss Bubbles and I hopped to our neighboring country of Khmerlandia. Taking the trip with us was Bongbong Marcos, an Iloilo-based travel photographer and blogger (see his blog here).

We crossed the border via Aranyaprathet on the Thai side. I'm very excited to report that the road between Poipet and Siem Reap is now FANTASTIC. It certainly was a bumpy and dusty ride when I first visited Siem Reap in 2007 using the same route, so I can't believe how easy it was to travel this time around.

Our hosts are the Grand Dame of Siem Reap (of course), Miss Fuchsiaboy ITSELF, and artist extraordinaire Loven and his wife Faith.

I was instantly mesmerized with their abode because it is filled with Loven's artworks, practically occupying every nook and cranny of the house. On the second floor is the workshop of Fuchsiaboy, the inner sanctum that many of his minions could only wish to see... but very few have actually been welcomed in there (looks straight at you Toxic Disco Boy... joklang). It truly is an inspiring house!

Later in the evening we dropped by ArtDeli, Loven's latest project that serves as an art gallery cum restaurant. It's a very warm venue for chitchatting with friends while being surrounded by some of Loven's wicked and genius masterpieces. Fuchsiaboy also has some of his artworks sold there, along with a few other artists.

I love the throw pillows!!! They even have one for Imelda, which, needless to say, is my favorite.

As Loven was still planning the menu, we took part in a food tasting session mostly made up of Italian fare. That night I finally met the divine Faith, whom I taught how to elongate. Yes, elongate...

Day 2 was tourist day for Miss Bubbles and moi. We took a long tuktuk drive to an ukayan (thrift shop) but lo and behold most of the shops were closed as it was the Khmer New Year too.

We went back to the Pub Street area and dropped by the Old Market for some souvenirs. The wet market is quite exciting too. You know me and markets... I always visit one wherever I go 'coz it's always vibrant and a good place to get some insight into the lives of the community.

We met Faith in the evening and she showed us around Amansara. ORGASM. Like Major Orgasm to Beat All Orgasms. Ahhhmansara, sweetie, do I need to say more? It was heaven! We certainly don't have an Amansara in Surigao!

Faith, thank you so much for giving us the chance to step into such hallowed ground... Elongate!

I'm beginning to wonder... who do I need to blow??? I sooooo could not wait to snag a Russian gazzzzillionaire who'd pay my stay at Amansara. Time to call Naomi Campbell for some tips!

From first world to fourth world. From Amansara to the streets of Siem Reap. We had some BBQ and the local food, amok, for dinner and Angkor beer of course.