Fireworks at Phnom Penh's Water Festival

November 21, 2010. Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Fireworks to celebrate the water festival. I'm so happy that they booked me at the Himawari Apartments.  I didn't have to go far to see this. Oh but the downside is that many, if not all restaurants don't deliver to the Himawari because the roads leading to the hotel are closed to vehicular traffic.

I would highly recommend staying at this place if you don't want to brave the crowds by the riverside.  I actually walked over there yesterday.  At some point it was hard to breathe because there were so many people. I thought I would faint at some point. Not a good thing if that happened. 

From the back of the Himawari.  Since my camera (Sony DSC-W30) takes ugly pictures at night, I decided to film it instead.  (Yeah, I know my camera is so old.)

Dining at Siam Square's Somtam

October 2010. Bangkok.  On one of my last nights in Bangkok, Royce took me to Somtam for dinner.  Although he doesn't really like Thai food, he obliged.  Plus it's his wife's favorite place for Thai food. Take note that I too am not fond of spicy food.  But what else is there to eat in Thailand, right?  Besides, I wanted to take my last fill of authentic Thai food.  Here in Manila, I avoid Thai restaurants especially the over-priced ones. There are many I tell you.  It's like they are trying to con people with expensive papaya salad beautifully plated on a gold-rimmed oval platter with a banana leaf. Puhlease!

Learning about whiskey

I have been out of Manila for sometime working abroad.  Maybe working too hard.  But after one of those late night meetings with colleagues, they decided to have some drinks at my hotel before heading home.  My hotel is conveniently located in between the office and the BTS.  No reason to rush home yet since it was happy hour. Plus we all needed a break.

First round of drinks consisted of a local Thai beer, a couple of mojitos, apple juice (for me) and red wine.  I was the only one drinking juice which was ok since I, er, WE have not had dinner yet.  When the second round came along, I decided to order a tequila.  The rest ordered the same thing-beer, mojitos and red wine.  The boss (not mine) was surprised that I drank tequila.  Well, I really don't. Not recently though- maybe not in the past 10 years or so.  Just so you know, I dislike mixed alcoholic drinks.  I know they taste good but it's not me.  No blended drinks of that sort.  If ever I order anything blended then it might as well be a fruit shake.

Batticaloa's Lighthouse

Sometime November 2009 and some eight hours away from Colombo. Built in 1913 by the British in a small fishing village called Batticaloa, this historical landmark was recently restored with the help of USAID funds. Also known as “Muttawaran” by the locals-as the lighthouse sits near a sandbar separating the lagoon and the Indian ocean. Set against the clear blue skies and the softly lapping waters of the Indian Ocean, Muttawaran has stood the test of time including the heart-wrenching tsunami.  Hopefully this historical landmark continues to live on.  A sign of light and hope.

Phnom Penh's Chocolate Shop

Sometime October 2009.  If you've been reading this blog for quite sometime, you may have already guessed that I love eating. Well, desserts in particular.  Phnom Penh will not disappoint any chocolate-lover.  During each visit (I think I've been to Phnom Penh 3 or 4 times), I would always pass by the Chocolate Shop.  My friend Lisa brought introduced me to this place.  Since then, it's been a permanent fixture in my To-Do list when in Cambodia. 

Just look at the homemade chocolates you can buy. I don't remember how much these delectable goodies cost. It's been quite a while but I don't think they were exorbitantly expensive.

My Room at Metropole's Opera Wing

Sometime October 2007.  In case you're wondering how the rooms at the Opera Wing looks, here are a few photos I can share.  Take note that the Metropole has the Historical Wing which are the older rooms.  This would be where Charlie Chaplin must have stayed.  On the other hand, the Opera wing is the newer section of the hotel.  I am very fortunate to have stayed at both wings due to unforseen events. 

For starters, I was booked at the Opera Wing when I arrived.

See how nice the room is.  I just love how the interiors were done.  A mixture of French and Vietnamese.  I like how they used black and white with a punch of red.

Look at the lovely wall paper.

Metropole's Chocolate Buffet and Afternoon Tea

Sometime 2007. I am on a roll with my posts about Vietnam.  I know this is way too late but I am hoping that it will help anyone who is on the look out for good places to try in Hanoi.

I've written about the Sunday buffet at the Metropole, specifically their dessert spread.  You can also try the chocolate buffet or the afternoon tea or even both at the Le Club also at the Metropole.

The chocolate buffet is everyday from 3 pm to 5:30 pm.  I paid around $12 for the chocolate buffet three years ago. I can't remember how much the afternoon tea cost.  But it is all worth it.  

I should have taken more photos but I was busy trying out each mouth-watering dessert.

Brownies