Monday, July 28, 2014

Kep

Anna and I were supposed to go to Kep, a small sleepy beach town famous for its crab, on the weekend of the 19th but last minute we decided to push it back to the following weekend.  Anna being the hotel slash tripadvisor guru she is found us this super cute place owned by a Californian man, Chris, his Cambodian wife, Naome, and their two young children Ellie and Luca.  There are only 4 bungalows on the property plus their house and restaurant slash bar.  It was the cutest most calming place I've ever stayed, nestled at the base of a jungle.  On the first night we went down to the crab market and each got 4 fresh steamed crabs.  They were the most delicious crabs I've had in a long time.  The best part was it was only $7 for 4 of them!!

On Saturday per the advice of our gracious host we rented some scooters.  Chris took the time to teach Anna the basics and she picked it up really quickly. I was on the phone while he taught her and as soon as I hung up I just hoped on and went, turns out that knowing how to ride a dirtbike transfers over to all motorized vehicles.  We spent the majority of our day just aimlessly riding around in the rain, it was pretty amazing.






Crab on the beach

Sunset

4 steamed crabs for $7 YES PLEASE!

Anna on her scooter

Me and my unflattering helmet, safety first kids


Mini Independence monument

Look Ma no hands!





Pupa Cage at the Kep Butterfly Farm














xoxo

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

4th of July at the Embassy

On the 5th of July (the 4th was a Friday) the US Embassy through an all American celebration.  It was so bizarre because it felt so much like home! There were American flag themed decorations everywhere, a band playing American music and songs you woul here on Main Street in Disneyland, Dairy Queen, BBQ, KFC and of course free draft beer.  There was a dunk tank, face painting, clowns, water balloons and Marines. It was basically amazing.  This is the second 4th of July in a row I haven't been in America.  As most of you know I'm not the most patriotic person but something about the 4th makes me incredibly homesick.  To spare you the sad details, it makes me miss family BBQs by the pool and my late Tata.  But this year with a plate of pulled pork nachos in one hand, a beer in the other, and friends by my side I enjoyed the holiday.



Laura and Jin being honorary Amercans for the day



Chillin with the Michelle and Barrack


Pulled pork nachos aka heaven!

The Marines before they were bombarded with star struck Cambodian women asking for pictures.

'Murica

The US Diplomat, of course I blinked...


Circus folk

I promise to make an effort to post more during these last couple weeks I have in Cambodia!

xoxo


Let's go to the beach, beach, beach

Sorry guys I have been busy with work and life so I keep forgetting to post!

A few weekends ago, Jin (my boss during work hours), Laura (my co-worker/friend), and Anna took a girls trip to Sihanukville a beach town.  Jin being the expert of all things, booked us a hotel in Otres, a beach outside of the main tourist area that was quite and beautiful and free of the rampant drugs and protitution that is in the main area.  Our taxi picked us up from work at 5pm on Friday and was supposed to only take 2.5-3.5 hours, of course our trip didnt go as planned.  We hit an intense amount of traffic, and 2.5 hours into our trip (and barely outside of the city) our car broke down.  While broken down on the side of the road we were informed that another taxi would come get us, which would take about an hour.  In the mean time 3 or 4 guys from the surrounding houses showed up with a truck and a rope to help.  They planned to tow our taxi to a nearby  mechanic, and instructed us to get in the taxi.  Armed with the knowledge my father instilled in me that you should always be careful when towing a vehicle with a slack rope because it has no control and can easily cause an accident, I refused to get in the taxi.  So instead we all loaded into the truck that was doing the towing and off we went.  I should point out that one of the men was only wearing a towel, I imagine he was mid shower when the commotion began, and for some reason felt that there was no time for pants even though they stared at the car for a good half hour.  Pantsless man was chillin in the bed of the truck with Laura and me, and at one point hoped in and was in a full squat smiling happy as a clam. Needless to say we averted our eyes and tried not to laugh to hard while whispering "No Time For Pants!!!." When we got to the mechanic and were waiting for the new taxi, the mechanics wife graciously made us ramen for dinner.  Luckily we all took the whole situation lightly and tried to laugh it off.  We did eventually get to Otres, 7.5 hours after we left work.


Calm before the storm on my run

lovely path I found to run on

One of my many Canine friends

ZAC EFRON!!!




50 cent beer!!

Gorgeous sunset 

Impromptu beer pong with Laura




The weekend was filled with naps in the beach, and lazy days reading books.  We did go explore the main tourist area a couple times but our weekend mainly consisted of relaxing which was wonderful.

Xoxo