There was a period in my youth where all I did was hope I could have a job where traveling the world is a mandatory part of it. Samantha Brown, Janet Hsieh and Luke Nguyen became an afternoon staple. Of course, Anthony Bourdain comes first and foremost. I didn’t have to be travel show host to travel, of course all I need to do is get a passport, buy a ticket and off I go.
My first trip was mostly free, it was in Singapore and I stayed for a month. I maxed out my tourist visa and boy did I enjoy my stay there. I wasn’t able to achieve what I came to Singapore for but that first solo trip opened up a world I didn’t know existed.
Fast forward to 2018, I left for Thailand for work. It has always been my intention to leave my home country to live somewhere else in complete solitude. No matter how hippie that sounds like, it is what I wanted. Besides, I have always been described as an unconventional gypsy. So why not start in a country I never wanted to go, right?
My job here in Thailand requires visa runs, primarily requiring me to cross the border and submit visa applications usually in Laos. No one would tell me exactly why my work visa and such was delayed in my previous assignment but I was given an opportunity to leave the country again. I chose to go to Cambodia.
A few days prior to my arrival I arranged for a half-day food tour via SR Group Cambodia. I found out about Chef Sam from Thai-Canadian youtuber Pai of Hot Thai Kitchen. I was in luck when he accepted my request. I took the Giant Ibis direct trip to Siem Reap. I paid good money for that ride and was happy that it was as comfortable as the reviews said. My seatmate a resident of Phnom Phen was a delight to talk to. I met fellow Ilonggos and the cheap croissant was good enough.
After settling into my hostel located a bit farther from the center, Chef Sam invited to the reopening of The Kitchen Dining, a fine dining Cambodian restaurant that specializes in Khmer cuisine. That night was awesome, despite my unintentional dress code violation, I had fun. I especially loved talking to the restaurant manager who made sure my plate is filled with hors d’oeuvre and wine glass refilled.
Chef Sam took me for a quick nightcap before heading home in a normal looking locally owned restaurant. He is a part of a group that engages in helping out locals in flourishing their business and that restaurant is one of them. Good cheap cappuccino is a good way to send me to sleep, peacefully or maybe I was just exhausted. Who cares.
The next day, we headed out to one of the biggest local markets and I was in awe.
BUT first breakfast, the chef took me to a cafe to sample num bhan chok along with a coconut waffle and coffee (in a bamboo drip!), and I met the sweetest kitty cat!
…moving on.
I have always loved local markets where throngs of locals sell vegetables, fruits or poultry from their own farms. I can picture a couple growing their vegetables with as much care as they would a child. It is after all their source of living, as my father would say, take very good care of it.
A few interesting facts I learned:
- The jewelry booths replace their good daily as there is no security.
- Ducks and chickens sit quietly as it was believed that if one is quiet, one will not be bought.
- Anyone could sample snackies BUT please buy a few pieces in exchange, it is very cheap and delicious.
We dropped by a coffee and fruit smoothie stand before heading to The Green Home for the cooking lessons. I had iced passionfruit with lime and Chef Sam had coffee, I think. That gentleman loves coffee even more than I do, maybe.
The Green Home was located about 20 minutes out of the city spearheaded by a child. To be fair he looked sixteen but I learned later he was older and perhaps already had a family of his own. Yes everyone, we Asians don’t raisin. They tried their best to cater to my no meat diet but failed, but I let that go. We made fish amok, sauteed wintermelon and a soup with unripe papaya and carrots. The cooking lesson wasn’t much but it was a pleasant experience. I loved the open setting of the kitchen surrounded by rice paddies. A hammock was available for resting and the garden was well tended. That’s also where all of the vegetables used in the lessons came from. The Green Home also offers homestays, so if you wish to stay in a quiet, comfortable and spacious part of Siem Reap, kindly give them a try.
After lunch, we headed back to town and dropped by King’s Road where all local crafters sell souvenirs. I got jittery over there as I wanted to buy everything I saw! So many pretty little things! I love pretty little things! Ah, be still my heart. I purchased two scarves from Kroma House that I so love! We then headed to another coffee shop where I met the twins.
After coffee, we walked back to the main street close to my hostel and parted ways. I visited the night market and pub street hours later, had for dinner at the local restaurant where we had the late night coffee. The owner recognized me and he was visibly confused when I gave him a tip twice. I mean, I have no use of my remaining local currency so…
The next day, I went back to Thailand. That trip was a nightmare but hell, I made it back.
Please visit Siem Reap, SR Group Cambodia (link above) also offers a tour package to the famed Angkor Wat.
I hope to be back on October with my own Sam in tow, hopefully. It’s all up to him at this point.
Photo credit: Official photographer of The Kitchen Dining and everything else by Chef Sam. I frankly do not want to insert photos taken from my humble phone camera as I know someone would lovingly say again that the photo qualities are exceedingly bad.
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