The Sreisaat Adventures in Cambodia

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Viva, Pacquiao!
2008-12-07 14:12:00
Filipino boxer Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao sent Mexican Oscar de la Hoya to retirement after a one-sided match at Las Vegas' MGM Grand Garden. Pacman's latest feat ultimately establishes him as the world's finest fighter. Kevin Lole of Yahoo Sports wrote:De La Hoya, who was taken to a local hospital for a precautionary examination, never in his illustrious career had absorbed such a beating. Pacquiao?s hands were far too quick and, despite the fact that he was moving up from lightweight, his punches were much too hard for the Golden Boy to handle.It was clear by the third round that De La Hoya was going to need a miracle to reverse the pummeling he was taking.Pacquiao displayed every punch in the arsenal, raking the Golden Boy with straight lefts that nearly closed De La Hoya?s left eye and stunning him with hooks, jabs and uppercuts.Congratulations, Manny! Photo from Yahoo Sports. Read the full story here.
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Photo Hunt #35: Breakfast
2008-12-05 11:09:00
My husband and I love to spend weekends in Kep. And while there, we stay at our friend's newly opened guesthouse. Called the Kep Lodge, it offers six charming bungalows with a great view of the Gulf of Thailand and Bokhor mountain. We stay longer especially when it's holidays, waking up late, having breakfast at the restaurant and enjoying the view. Breakfast is served free at the restaurant. Although the choices are very limited for the free breakfast, however, the restaurant offers a variety of international menu for lunch and dinner. The bar might be small but you would be amazed at how many drinks they can mix for you! But I digress now.Rob and I loved this simple pork noodle soup, kiwtiew mi, prepared by the local staff for breakfast. A local breakfast fare, kiwtiew mi is served steaming hot; it's so tasty, with generous amount of pork (or chicken, or beef) and vegetables sprinkled with freshly ground Kampot pepper. A bowl of this is surely a great way to start our day.Pho...
More About: Photo , Food , Travels , Hunt

Look who's arrived in Phnom Penh!?!
2008-12-05 10:41:00
I am very happy that after more than three weeks, several thousands of miles across the Pacific, and surviving 8-days of stand-off at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok, Miss Igorota, fondly nicknamed Ms. Iggy , has finally landed in the Royal Kingdom of Cambodia. Thanks, Fortuitous Faery, for entrusting to me Ms. Iggy. For now, my Max might be a little jealous of having a new member at home, rest assured they'll be BFF - best friends forever - in no time. Thanks for the greeting card, too. You are right, it's the first one I've/we've received so far :)Am so looking forward to many travels with Ms. Iggy!
More About: Travels , Phnom Penh

Litratong Pinoy #19: Eksayted (Excited)
2008-12-04 04:44:00
Akshuli, excited na excited sila dahil nakikita nila ang mga sarili nila sa webcam :)Sila ang mga mag-aaral ng Angkaol Primary School sa Angkaol Commune, Krong Kep, Cambodia. Isa sa mga mapalad na napiling gawing village hub ang paaralang ito. Kinuha ko ito noong September 2007 sa pagbubukas ng limang village hubs sa Kep. Sa wakas, naikabit din ang broadband satellite internet - at full media - sa paaralang ito. Kitang-kita sa kanilang mga mukha ang eksaytment at kasiyahan sa mga bagay na bago sa kanila, na sa mga susunod na panahon ay matututunan nilang gamitin. Sa maniwala kayo o hindi, ito ang kauna-unahang pagkakataon na maka-kita, maka-hawak at maka-gamit ng kompyuter. Di rin naitago ng Buddhist monk na ito ang kanyang kasabikan sa pakikipag-usap sa pamamagitan ng local video network sa isa pang monk sa kabilang baryo (na isa ring village hub).Layunin ng aming proyekto ang magtatag ng e-communities sa bansa, at gamitin ang mga makabagong teknolohiya ng ICT upang mapaunlad ang ...
More About: Work , Pinoy

Tactical Pants
2008-12-02 19:29:00
Did you take CAT way back in high school? If so, what was your rank?The very mention of CAT, or the Citizen?s Army Training, brought back a lot of memories. Every high school graduate in the Philippines had gone through this rigorous preparatory army training as CAT is included in the high school curriculum. My parents, during their time, also had gone through this course decades ago when it was still known as the Preparatory Military Training, or PMT. The name may have changed over the years but it still has the same principles, same drills. The idea is to instill discipline on the young people, to train them to become good citizens with training in military discipline. CAT is compulsory but those who have physical disabilities or those who have been recommended by doctors as unfit for training (due to health reasons) are exempted from the training, but not the course. The exempted are assigned tasks that do not require physical exertion, such as checking attendance, cleaning, etc....
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Wordless Wednesday #62: Dead tree?
2008-12-02 03:42:00
Taken in Kep, on our way to Vanna's GuesthouseI was walking one fine summer afternoon with my husband when I caught a glimpse of this dead tree, devoid of leaves, and its branches jutting out to the sky. The sun was still minutes away from setting and the light seemed to give it a strange glow. While the other trees that surround it were leafy and green, this one stubbornly stood out and I said to myself - what a lonely tree. More Wordless entries here.
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Photo Hunt #34: Metal
2008-11-29 05:09:00
To add to the olde-worlde Nepal ambiance, the above heavy, antique silver cutlery are used at the classy Krishnarpan Restaurant.
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I made this!
2008-11-29 04:39:00
My husband loves pork chop very much that it is served every week at home. They are tasty on their own, but I have to say that they're even tastier when they are marinated before cooking. Soaking the pork in basic marinade such as soy sauce, lemon, and sugar, gives a better flavor to the meat.I have to admit though that it gets boring after a while making the same pork chop over and over again. It challenged me so much that I scoured the Net for more ideas and, luckily, I stumbled upon this exciting recipe (and bookmarked it), http://www.cookingninja.com/152-White-Pep pered-Pork-Slices.html">white-peppered pork slices, from the Cooking Ninja. I tried it not long ago and I am happy to say that my husband loved it! In fact, he asks for it every week :) So I paid another visit to the Cooking Ninja to tell her how we love her recipe and to ask if she would allow me to post her recipe here. I'm glad that she gave her go-signal ... big, big thanks! Ingredients * Pork (cut into big sl...
More About: Food , Made

My Hero
2008-11-28 05:08:00
Phymean Nuon, one of CNN's Hero es and the only Asian in the list. She is the force behind People's Improvement Organisation, helping hundreds of children working in garbage dumps get better lives. The free schooling and job training her organisation is offering are the children's golden tickets to a better and brighter future. See more of her work at People Improvement.org.She may not have won the CNN Hero of the Year award, and I am a bit disappointed, but in my heart, and in the hearts of the Cambodians, she is our hero.Cheyor!
More About: Advocacy

Litratong Pinoy #18: Ang Pagwawagi
2008-11-27 03:37:00
... ng kampanya ng pamahalaang Cambodia laban sa HIV/AIDS.Dahil sa puspusang pagpalaganap ng iba't-ibang programa sa tulong ng mga international aid agencies, UNAIDS, mga NGOs pati na ang mga Buddhist monks, nagkaroon ito ng positibong resulta pagkatapos ng ilang taon. Para sa karagdagang impormasyon ukol sa kampanya laban sa HIV/AIDS, paki-basa lang sa ibaba.
More About: What , Pinoy , Advocacy

Background info
2008-11-27 02:31:00
Ang Cambodia ay isa sa mga bansang may pinaka-mataas na HIV infection rates sa buong mundo. Naitala ang pinaka-unang kaso ng HIV sa bansa noong 1991, at ang pinaka-unang tao na na-diagnose na may AIDS ay naitala naman noong 1993. Tinatayang sa loob ng taong 1997 umaabot humigit-kumulang sa 157,000 katao, edad 15-49 taon, ang hinihinalaang may HIV sa Cambodia. Sa resulta ng pananaliksik ng iba't-ibang ahensiya ng gobyerno at sa tulong ng mga banyagang mananaliksik, lumalabas na ang pagtatalik ng walang proteksyon, ang pagkakaroon ng multiple partners, ang prostitusyon, ay iilan lamang sa maraming dahilan ng pagkalat ng HIV/AIDS. Dahil dito, nagtulong-tulong ang iba't-ibang ahensya ng pamahalaan ng Cambodia at ng mga ahensya tulad ng UNAIDS, USAID, mga NGOs, atbp., upang magsagawa ng programang sasagot sa problemang ito. Sa tulong ng mga ito, naglunsad ng matinding awareness programs, kasama na ang mga media programs, para sa mga kabataan, mga nakakatanda lalo na sa mga babaeng may ...
More About: Info , What , Background , Advocacy

Wordless Wednesday #61: View from my office
2008-11-26 03:22:00
This was the view from my room-cum-office at the Kep guesthouse where I used to stay. There, my husband and I watched the calm waters of the Gulf of Thailand and the looming Phnom (mountain) Bokor. On lazy days, we brought out our hammocks and enjoyed the view, with the cool mountain breeze lulling us to sleep.
More About: Office , Travels , Sights , View , Wednesday

Photo Hunt #33: Reflections
2008-11-23 07:34:00
Angkor Wat, the largest religious structure in the world, a truly magnificent Khmer architectural masterpiece, the highlight of every tourist's visit, and the most photographed in all of Cambodia. From afar, looking at this famous tourist attraction in Cambodia will fill you with awe and anticipation. The sheer beauty of the massive site can be overwhelmingly beautiful, especially when veiled in mist in the early morning hours. Mysterious passage ways, beautiful carvings adorning temple walls, tall towers and sweeping courtyards fill the temple landscape and create a sight unlike any other you may have seen. Scrutinized, admired and interpreted by thousands of archaeologists, architects and other designers, the blueprint of Angkor Wat Cambodia remains one of the most unique in the world. Even more beauty is added gracefully to this tourist attraction in Cambodia by a large expanse of gleaming water found in front of the main entrance.- Destination360Seasoned photographers recommend...
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Fun and funky holiday frames from ZenniOptical
2008-11-21 17:14:00
Not too long ago, I mentioned about my need to get a new pair of eyeglasses as soon as possible but until now I haven?t gotten one yet. This year alone I had bought several pairs of eyeglasses but they got scratched or broken so easily that I had grown tired of buying a replacement every time. As I am currently learning how to drive, I am forced to finally get a new pair to be able to see clearly, otherwise, I am doomed to fail my driving test. I broke my eyeglasses two months ago and with the outrageous prices of eyeglasses here (albeit cheap-looking), I have decided to take it easy and widened my scope of search for the right frame. It led me to an online site, ZenniOptical.com. With the advent of online vendors, it is likely that I'll get decent frames at a rate way lower than the usual. Plus factor is that selections online are quite exceptional. I checked several sites and settled finally on ZenniOptical.com. Not only that they have great selection of frames, they also have...
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Experiencing old-world Nepal
2008-11-21 03:47:00
... at Dwarika Hotel.Okay, I didn't actually stay there but I did dine there on one occasion with my colleagues. After a 30-min ride from Hotel Yak and Yeti, where we were staying, we were dropped off in the street amidst the hustle-bustle of the evening rush hour. It felt odd that we were standing out there in the biting cold of the night and in front of a nondescript doorway. We reluctantly stepped in, not knowing whether we were in the right place at all. Once inside, we were all surprised at what we saw! It felt like I was in a different world. Dwarika is a beautiful product of a restoration effort spanning 25-30 years. Built of brick and having ornate architectural bits and pieces added (hand-carved windows, door frames, pillars, etc.), all of which were obtained when old traditional buildings were torn down long ago. Additional wood carvings on the windows, the ceramic sculptures, as well as the pottery were all made in a workshop inside the premises. The result is a gorgeous...
More About: Food , Travels , World , Nepal , Workshop

Litratong Pinoy #17: Madumi
2008-11-20 05:15:00
... ang salamin ng kotse namin. Kagagaling lang namin ng probinsya. Alam niyo naman sa probinsya, hindi sementado ang daan at, kapag tag-init, sangkatutak na alikabok ang babalot sa iyong sasakyan. Kaya ganyan ang hitsura. Isipin niyo na lang kung ano ang itsura ng kotse kapag tag-ulan - inangkupo! Kinuha ko ito habang papauwi na kami at tinatahak namin ang kahabaan ng Norodom Blvd. Kung maaaninag niyo sa kalagitnaan ng litrato ay ang Independence Monument. Maganda sana ang pagkuha ko kaya lang ay nasira dahil sa maruming salamin sa kotse. Tsk.
More About: Travels , Sights , Pinoy , Phnom Penh

Wordless Wednesday #60: Remembering Sri Lanka
2008-11-18 18:55:00
In 2002, I was invited to a 5-day conference of environmental journalists in Sri Lanka . That being my first trip there, I decided to take extra days to explore the country. Luckily for me, I have a Sri Lankan friend who took three days off from work to give me a guided tour of the country. I was really excited about our road-trip because I only read about/watched Sri Lanka in books/television. First in our itinerary was Minneriya National Park, 182 kms from the capital of Colombo and about four hours travel by car. This man-made lake (reservoir) is the main feature of the park, covering an area of 3,000 hectares. It was built in the 3rd century by King Mahasena who was known to have discriminated Theravada Buddhists in Sri Lanka. Many temples were destroyed including Mahavihara, the main Theravada temple. During dry season, different kinds of mammals, mostly elephants, and birds roam around the park. Not far from Minneriya is Polonnaruwa, dubbed as the ancient Kingdom of Reservoirs ...
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Photo Hunt #32: Ruin(ed)
2008-11-15 04:27:00
These are just some of the ghost villas of Kep. Kep, in its heydays, was once a favourite holiday town of the French colonial masters and the Cambodian elites. The villas fell into ruin during the 70s when the Khmer Rouge took over and systematically burned and destroyed all the villas and murdered its occupants. This is probably what the Khmer Rouge meant when they declared Year Zero. At present, some of the villas are occupied but most are abandoned and lying in ruins. Vegetation has set in covering the remnants but one can still see the grandiose details of the villas alongside bullet holes and burn marks. The villas are but mere reminders of the golden days of Kep, and, ironically, of the cruelty of the Khmer Rouge regime that ravaged the entire country. The first time I visited Kep was in 2002 and the sight of these decaying villas gave me shivers. To me, Kep, then, had a ghost-town feel to it. These days, however, Kep is undergoing a massive transformation. The once thick jung...
More About: Photo , Travels , Sights , Memories , Ruin

Litratong Pinoy #16: Kinagisnan
2008-11-13 08:42:00
Ang sineguelas... bow!Scientific name: Spondias purpurea. Kilala ito sa iba't-ibang pangalan: Jocote, o ciruela, sa Central America; Hog plum, red mombin, purple mombin sa wikang Ingles; sineguelas, o sinegwelas, sa wikang Tagalog. Pero para sa aming mga Ilonggo, sargwelas ang tawag namin dito.Kung sa Amerika at Canada ay kinagawian na ang apple-picking, sa amin naman sa Roxas City ay pinanabikan namin ang pagdating ng summer dahil nakagisnan na namin ang mag-sargwelas picking! Tuwing sasapit ang summer, kami ay nagbabakasyon sa Mambusao sa mga kamag-anak ng tatay ko. Marami kaming kamag-anak doon subalit sa isang paborito naming Tiyo kami palagi pumupunta. Ang bahay niya ay luma na at gawa sa bato at ito ay napapaligiran ng iba't-ibang fruit trees. May langka, balimbing, abokado, mangga, star apple, kamyas, papaya, sargwelas, lansones at iba pa. Hindi naman matataas ang puno ng sargwelas kaya hinahayaan kaming akyatin ito upang mapitas ang bunga. Subalit ang puno ng sargwelas ay...
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Wordless Wednesday #59: Modern-day neary Khmer (Khmer woman)
2008-11-11 17:24:00
A female Khmer de-miner with her partner, an Alsatian sniffer-dog. She's one of the many female members of the Cambodian de-mining team that participated in last Sunday's 55th anniversary celebration of Cambodia's Independence from France. To me, she represents the modern-day Khmer woman. Brave, independent, hard-working and yet remaining true and respectful to the ideals of being a Cambodian. Cheyor, neary Khmer!Cheyor, Kampuchea!
More About: Faces , Woman , Modern , Wednesday

Unconscious Mutterings #008
2008-11-10 02:20:00
Coverage :: liveCynical :: pessimisticGust :: sudden, strong blast of windImprovised :: spur of the moment, extemporaneousV :: Vendetta Guests :: visitors Brutal :: cruelGrant :: Hugh, isdatchu?Pull :: tugStreaming :: video

ZenniOptical's great glasses for less
2008-11-10 01:22:00
Last Saturday, I visited another local eyeglasses shop in Monivong Blvd. to see if there's a pair that would suit me fine and to compare the prices of eye-wear from the previous shop that I went to the last time. It's been weeks since I last visited a local shop, and I tell you, I've begun to sense that things just didn't look as clear as they should. While inside the shop, I was practically swarmed by sales ladies, each with a pair of eyeglasses being shoved to my face. The cheapest pair recommended to me was $100++, and that's just the frame, lenses not included. I was absolutely horrified how a plastic frame obviously imitation of a branded eye-wear could fetch a price like that. As I am a cheapskate *lol*, I decided not to bite the bait. So I went online again hoping to find that pair of great eyeglasses for less. My search once again led me to ZenniOptical.com. Why am I not surprised? ZenniOptical.com became popular not only because of its stylish $8 prescription eyeglas...
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Litratong Pinoy #15: Maalaala Mo Kaya?
2008-11-06 07:44:00
Ang original na samahan ng mga Mister Suave (at ang kanilang kyut na kyut na mutya) Roxas City Chapter, dekada '70!At eto naman ang sagot ko sa mga tanong ni Teacher Julie:1.. Ano ang paborito mong palabas sa TV? McGyver, The Highlander series, Analisa2.. Sino ang paborito mong artista? Ano ang paborito mong pelikula? Julie Vega3.. Ano ang paborito mong meryenda? Turon at coke4.. Ano ang paborito mong babasahin? Funny Komiks at Pambata magazine5.. Ano ang paborito mong lugar na pasyalan? Carol's Square and Bazaar6.. Sino ang iyong pers crush? Lyndon Valmoria 7.. Sino ang iyong best prend? Adonna Llames8.. Sino ang iyong paboritong guro? Mrs. Diestro and Mrs. Magdalena Begaso9.. Ano ang iyong paboritong laro? Game and Watch (octopus at Popeye) tsaka yung larong habulan na Monkey, monkey, Annabelle10.. Meron ba kayong alagang hayop noon? Si Aringkingking (uso itong kanta nuon), Kagta, at si Lagsa, ang mga pangalan ng dalawang nahuli ay Ilonggo term for kagatin at habulin *lol*
More About: Pinoy , Memories , Milestones , Kaya

Obama elected 44th US President!
2008-11-05 06:18:00
It's official - America has decided and Barack Obama , triumphed. Barack Obama swept to victory as the nation's first black president Tuesday night in an electoral college landslide that overcame racial barriers as old as America itself. "Change has come," he told a huge throng of cheering supporters.Click here to continue reading. Photo is from the same Yahoo article.My Wordless Wednesday entry is just below, please scroll down a bit.
More About: President , Milestones

Wordless Wednesday #58: Emulating Bobbie
2008-11-04 09:53:00
Bobbie is one of the duo behind The Right Blue. If I weren't doing what I am doing now, I would probably be doing what Bobbie and Jerry are doing... *tongue-twister, eh* :)Scary-looking shark, Kuala Lumpur Aquaria... and that's "meeting" and (photo) documenting the creatures under the sea, perhaps even working with coastal communities on how to sustainably use natural resources and how to protect endangered species. I should have paid more attention to my environment/ecology-subjects in school. *tsk* :)
More About: Malaysia , Travels , Wednesday

Unconscious Mutterings
2008-10-12 08:13:00
I say... and you think...?Zoo :: caged wildlifeNeighborhood :: people and housesSalute :: respect Immortality :: forever youngDominion :: control Rhonda :: Grey's Anatomy (Rhonda Rhimes is the Creator/Executive Director)Parties :: friends, food and drinksPrince of Darkness :: bar in Phnom PenhGarbage :: anything that is worthlessStandard :: common, average

PhotoHunt #030: Lazy
2008-10-11 04:28:00
In 2006, I was assigned to the coastal town of Kep and the whole family - me, my husband, and our dog Max - relocated. We stayed in a guesthouse on a hill with a sweeping view of the Bokor mountain and the Gulf of Thailand. Almost every day, after lunchtime, we all retreated to our hammocks on the mini-patio and spent the lazy afternoon enjoying the view. The breath-taking view and the refreshing sea breeze lulled us all to sleep, Max included.
More About: Pets , Lazy

Furry Friday #006: Crawly-creepy
2008-10-10 04:18:00
This creature is cute alright, but be warned, don't let it touch your skin...
More About: Friday , Furry , Creepy

Litratong Pinoy #011 and 012: Kompyuter Ko, Luma Na
2008-10-09 02:00:00
Ito ang aking kompyuter na 4 na taon na akong pinagseserbisyuhan. Minabuti kong ito ang isali para sa linggong ito at sa nakaarang lingo dahil, sa aking palagay, ay angkop sa dalawang tema ? kompyuter at luma na - dahil ang kompyuter ko ay luma na!Nuong 2006, ako ay nag-umpisang magtrabaho sa isang rural ICT (Information and Communications Technology) project dito sa Cambodia, na ang layunin ay ilapit sa mga magsasaka at mangingisda ang sari-saring teknolohiya ng ICT at bumuo ng isang community-owned ICT enterprises sa rural areas upang mapa-unlad ang kani-kanilang pamumuhay dahil dito. Ito ay kasalukuyang ipinapatupad sa dalawang komunidad sa Cambodia. Ako ay pansamantalang tumira sa lalawigan ng Kep kung saan ang proyekto ay ipainapatupad. Ang kompyuter na ito ang aking gamit sa pag-iikot sa labing-isang baryo habang hinihintay ko ang kompyuter na galling sa opisina. Sa maniwala kayo o hindi, ito ang kauna-unahang kompyuter na nakita, at nahawakan, ng mga tao duon. Kung inyong m...
More About: Work , Pinoy , Luma

Wordless Wednesday #55: Working girl
2008-10-07 05:05:00
My entry for the Tuesday-Wednesday edition. Taken in Dhaka, Bangladesh in December, 2002. After getting off a bus, I chanced upon this pretty girl, roaming around with this mat on her head. Through my interpreter, I learned that this girl is one of the many displaced people in Bangladesh. She used to live along the Buriganga river and constant floodings swept away her family's house and livelihood. This drove them to the capital of Dhaka where they have no permanent shelter and no food to eat. She earns money picking garbages and, sometimes, begging, too. For more wordless, visit Wordless Wednesday.
More About: Travels , Faces , Girl , Hello World