Six Days in Cambodia

We visited Siem Reap, Cambodia, end of September--early October 2012.  We really enjoyed it's jungle-like atmosphere.  It was a nice, relaxing vacation with a couple of days of delicious afternoon rain.  The people there were very warm,  very friendly and smiled often.  The food was tasty (but if you go, just use typical travel precautions with food). You can send me an email if you want to know what I think are precautions.

Most of these pictures were taken at Angkor Wat, famous for the temples and "strangling" trees.

This picture was taken as we were walking to Ankgor Thom.

Wish I could remember which temple this was, but I don't.  If I figure it out, I will update this post later -- or maybe someone can let me know.

I believe this is Ta Prohm.  Although we did visit quite a few temples over two days -- so my apologies that I did not write them down.

Greg meeting our Tuk-Tuk driver.

The Buddhist monks are a common sight in Cambodia.  The orange color they wear really stands out, so you can't miss them if they are out.

A main market in Siem Reap.

I had never seen these before, but I think "padded underwear" could come in handy.  For example, when you are sitting on a cement bench at a football game.  I found it very interesting--and no, I did not buy any.

This "pajama" style of clothing is very, very popular in Cambodia.  We saw so many people wearing clothing that looked like pajamas.  I can't explain it and I didn't ask, but I did notice it.

Here is another lady with her pajama-bottom type pants.

I always find it interesting when I see big movie stars in ads for products in Asia.  Here you can see Uma Thurman.

Angkor Wat Temple at sunrise.  Unfortunately for me, it was overcast.

You will see tons of fields and many Brahma cows and bulls.

Spectacular temple views like this.  I love the red of the temple contrasting against the green jungle background.

Cambodia is known for their "Strangling Trees."  I'm sure there is a more scientific name somewhere.  These trees, were amazing to see.  They are much more impressive in person.  They are huge and they drape over the temples, which gives the place a very unique, strange feel -- kind of surreal, but so cool.

I really loved all the green growing all over the broken down structures.

The very best part of Cambodia, however, were the people.  Like I said, they are warm and friendly -- often smiling.  I thought this girl was simply beautiful.

Eating La Mien in Guangzhou. . .So Yummy!

One of my husband's favorite things to do in Guangzhou is to meet me for lunch to "chīfàn"(eat) a hot bowl of delicious "La Mien" for lunch.  La Mien (or La Mian-- I've seen it both ways), are simply the most delicious hand pulled noodles you could hope to have.  These little restaurants are typically small, run by Muslims (not sure if exclusively), and often you can actually observe the noodles being pulled and rolled right in front of you.  It's so awesome.

Update:  I went to eat my favorite noodles and suddenly felt like I was in the twilight zone.  I knew I was in the right place, just couldn't find it.  So, I discovered that new management took over, and location is the same and the noodles still just as good.
I can't read Chinese very well, so I had to look this up on a map.  The name is Hualong Beef Stretched Noodles off of Mingyue 2nd Rd, in the Tienhe District near the Ramada Hotel.  If you just walk about 1/2 block West from Guanzhou Middle Ave, you should see it on the right.

This is the front of the restaurant -- it's the blue and green place.  In my opinion, it looks like a small hardware store or something.  Not much on the outside. . .or the inside either, but inside the bowl, there is magic.

Here my husband gleefully flips through the pages until he see's his favorite dish, egg with noodles.  In this picture you can see almost the entire restaurant.  I believe it has a total of six or seven tables.  It is not uncommon to have a total stranger come and sit down with you if there is an empty chair at your table and the others are full.

Here is a shot of the inside and behind that glass, they make those magical tasting noodles.  See the round hole cut out in the glass -- you can look through there and see them stretching the noodles out.  Hello and thank you Ms. noodle maker.

Steaming hot liquid gold.  All tables also usually have a little dish with a little tiny spoon that has red chili oil.  You can add this according to your spice tolerance.  My husband likes a lot and I tend to add about 1/2 - 1 measure of that little tiny spoon that is provided.  It gives it just the right amount of "kick."

 One taste, and you would be smiling too.  The noodles are fabulous and the broth is equally good -- they compete against each other to get eaten.  Personally, I like to slurp up every last drop of broth.  Each bowl is about 7 RMB or 8 RMB, which converts to about $1.25 per bowl.  It's one of the few things that is actually "Too good, and IS true."

After you finish the best-tasting bowl of noodles you ever had, you can walk on over to the front of the restaurant and take some of the fancy napkins they have in an ever so handy holder.  And if you think it looks a lot like a toilet paper roll, that might be because it is a toilet paper roll.  The use of napkins has not been a common thing in China and I think is only now beginning to make more of an appearance.  Trust me, if there is nothing else, you will be glad there is some toilet paper hanging there for your use.