First Day in Siem Reap

We stepped onto Siem Reap, surprised that it was peaceful and serene. The airport was nice and clean and we cleared immigration pretty fast. Within minutes, our driver brought us to our resort, Shinta Mani.

We were greeted with cold towels at the reception, followed by a welcome with nice silk shawls draped over our necks. The hospitality didn't stop there. We were shown to our rooms and had an in-room check in. Our luggage came in shortly after, and to complete the complimentary fruits in the room, we were served ice-cold coconut drinks - fresh from the coconut!

Grace deligted with the welcome coconut drink



The room was immaculately clean and wonderfully furnished. We even have a see-through bathroom complete with nice toiletries.

Nice soft bed with wonderful down pillows...


The toilet


The pool - nice and small


Grace at the entrance of our hotel


Grace and I took a walk to the nearby FCC (Foreign Correspondence Club) and a few shops. We decided against walking to the Grand Hotel D'angkor as it was already getting dark. Coming back to the resort, we booked ourselves a nice foot spa and a spa package tomorrow, after our one-day trip to the Angkor Wat.

The FCC


It began to rain, which was perfect as it cooled the evening. The sound of the falling raindrops also made it good background music as we relaxed by the pool and had our foot spa therapy done. After one hour, our feet are nice and buffed, well kneaded and ready to take on the Angkor Wat tomorrow!

As for now, I'll leave you with some pictures of our resort. Excuse me while I escape from the numerous lizards (geckos as they call it here) and mosquitoes...

Ending the day with a beautiful sunset near our hotel

Adventure Begins Right at Changi Airport!

Grace and I checked in early at 10.20am, and did a full three hours' worth of shopping before heading to our departure gate - F40. After waiting a long while, we were then allowed to form a queue to scan our hand luggage. The queue was extremely long cos one family had a full bag of liquids they were bringing on board.. (What were they thinking!) Then, just as I was about to have my belongings scanned, adventure began!

Our gates changed - right to the other end of the airport at E7. So after about 10 minutes worth of walking, we're finally here... waiting to board the plane.. Now we're crossing our fingers our luggage get to where we are going!

Our adventure had begun!

The First Step

It seemed a like a little far-fetched idea I hatched some time back. "I want to eradicate poverty through education." I never thought how I'd be doing it or when I'd be doing it. I just wanted to do it. It sounds like a UN initiative, I know. I don't plan to be the next Nobel Prize Winner, but I stay grounded in my starfish philosophy, knowing that what I can, will and should do can make a difference to at least one.

It made me sad when I travelled to Hanoi and to India, to see young children not having a chance to be educated, and here I am in Singapore, seeing our young taking education for granted. If I could, I would make them change places, so both will benefit. That was when I conceptualised the idea of "The World is My Classroom".

And so began my journey to seek out ways and learn alternatives to education, in hope of eradicating poverty globally. I stumbled upon the idea of social enterprises last year, and I liked the idea of making individuals less reliant on charities and handouts, and instead creating platforms to empower them to be more self-reliant. I liked the idea that the efforts were sustainable, and it had a snow-ball effect. It hinted an answer to what I was searching for in fulfilling my vision.

Grace highlighted Shinta Mani, a resort in Siem Reap that runs itself as a social enterprise. Its in-house culinary institute trains local Cambodians in culinary and hospitality skills so that they can be gainfully employed either at the resort or in the many sprouting hotel establishments in Cambodia. The resort even provides these selected Cambodians with a monthly stipend and necessities like rice for the family - things we take for granted.

And so, when Grace and I wanted to take a break, we thought of Shinta Mani immediately. Not only will we be able to see the Angkor Wat in Siem Reap, we'd be able to experience first-hand a social enterprise in action. We'd be visiting the local villages too and meeting up with the Head of the resort to find out more if we can contribute in other ways.

I'm not only excited by the infinite possibilities that can stem out of this trip, I am also happy that I am making a step forward towards fulfilling my vision.