Le Monde - A Poetic Travail

Street food in Siem Reap

Nisha — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 15:09:09 +0000

Picture of the moment: Street food in Siem Reap
Picture of the moment is a weekly series exhibiting pictures, through which I show you a bit of my world.

While strolling on the roads of Siem Reap, it is a common sight to see beef and other animals being barbecued for your dinner. You can eat there itself or get it packed for home.

Would you like to have some ?

I suggest, you eat there so you can select pieces/ portions of pork, beef, snakes, frogs etc. Also, there is nothing like eating in the open surrounded by fumes and aromas of such BBQs.

Do not forget to tell me how your meal was.
Location:- Siem Reap.

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Cambodian Dollar (?) Rules!

Nisha — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 17:27:32 +0000

Cambodia is a place where more than their local currency, it is the US Dollars that rules.
Coming out of the Phnom Penh airport, there are several kiosks, the first one is a Currency Exchange. We wanted to change a USD 100 to Khmer Riel (KHR). To my surprise, the counter girl asked, “Are you sure?”,
I gave her a look on that stupid question and said “Of course”.

But we were utter idiots.
Why? Read on.

While planning a trip abroad, one of the first things most of us do is to arrange for foreign exchange in terms of US dollar (mostly) or EUROS or GBP etc, among others. The idea being USD is more freely convertible in a foreign country.

We did the same. Bought USD. The plan was to convert a small bit to Khmer Riels at Phnom Penh airport so as to survive first couple of days in Phnom Penh and then manage later.

As the case always is, the exchange rate at the Currency Exchange kiosk was very poor. USD 100 = KHR 390,000. Couldn’t do anything about it so focused on what we had.

Happy to have negotiated the first hurdle, we went to the one that said Taxi on one side and Tuk Tuk on the other. The prices were written and no chance for over charging. Then we realized that prices were in USD. No mention of how much it would be in KHR. We made the journey in relative silence. In the end I asked the driver how much in Riels. He said he preferred USD and that I must pay “7 dolah”.

Whoa! A distance of less than 10 KMs was $7 !

Later we went to a super market to pick up some snacks and beverages and offered to pay in dollar. (Not much option as all prices were tagged in USD ONLY). The cash girl returned a few dollars and a few Riels. I asked why and pat, the explanation. Any change under a dollar is dealt with in Riels and that too in whatever exchange rate the supermarket wants (1 USD – 4200 Riels).

Outside generally it is 1 USD to 4000 Riels. E.g. a tuk tuk driver demands “one-haph” meaning one and a half dollar, you can either pay 6000 Riels, or 2 USD for which he will return 2000 Riels.

Anyway, you can’t get much for 500 Riels which is slightly over a dime. Even half litre mineral water will cost you 2000 Riels.

Everywhere in Cambodia USD is freely accepted. I would like to add ‘unofficially’. I don’t know the story behind such behaviour but I am sure there must be a reason for the country to systematically undermine its own currency.

At the moment US Dollar Rules.

Tip 1 – Do not convert your US dollars into local currency at the airport in Cambodia. You can manage with dollars.
Tip 2 – Old US dollar notes are NOT accepted anywhere. On the contrary, even torn Riel can exchange hands.

If you want to travel with me on my journeys, I suggest you to join me on my Facebook travel page and check out my Twitter account.
P.S.-This article belongs to Le Monde-A Poetic Travail. If you are viewing this on a website instead of your RSS feed reader, then that website is guilty of stealing my content. Kindly do me a favour. Please visit my site and help me taking action by letting me know against this theft. Thank you.

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I miss you, Mumbai !

Nisha — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 15:10:32 +0000

Dear Mumbai,
How are you doing? Hope everything is fine with you on every front. Hope the New Year started off well for you.
Sitting here in Siem Reap, I miss you very much, my Mumbai.

I miss your chaoticness, your liveliness. And your rains too.

Blue sky at dawn in Mumbai.

I don’t mind your unclean beaches, it is always better than not having one at all. The smell of the ocean is what I now yearn for. I miss eating paav-bhaji and bhel-puri at Juhu beach. The other day I had Häagen-Dazs ice-cream sitting in an air-conditioned mall but it is no match to licking an orange bar, strolling at your Juhu beach.

Flamingos must have come, feasted and gone without saying Hello to me.

Feasting time.

For a change, I won’t mind your pot-holed roads, the humid weather or even the chaotic traffic.
I miss the sound of a chugging train; miss the smell of sweat and miss the peak hour rush in local trains.

I long for a weekend getaway to Mumbai and its southern part…. to walk along the Marine drive admiring the sunset or sitting leisurely at night to be with the restless waves.

I don’t have any of them here.

I miss the festive mood and the festival goodies, the chillness in the fresh morning air. Christmas, New year, Sankranti, Pongal all gone by …

In short, I miss life.

As I count my days here, I am looking forward to travel to Mumbai.

I know it’ll bring a big smile on my face the moment I touch your feet and as I write this, I am already smiling.

Looking forward to see you soon,
Nisha

If you want to travel with me on my journeys, I suggest you to join me on my Facebook travel page and check out my Twitter account.
P.S.- This article belongs to Le Monde-A Poetic Travail. If you are viewing this on a website instead of your RSS feed reader, then that website is guilty of stealing my content. Kindly do me a favour. Please visit my site and help me taking action by letting me know against this theft. Thank you.

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Make the Best of 24 Hours in Cape Town

Nisha — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 17:54:00 +0000

This is the sixth post in this batch of Guest-post series on this site. The contributions are from people like you and me but not necessarily from the blogging world. We see, observe and experience many mundane things in our daily life. The flavours are different but the interest is common in these posts … and that is Travel.
Over to Amy Baker.
If you are lucky enough to be embarking on a trip to Cape Town I would recommend that you give yourself a good amount of time to get to know the city, its many sights and its beautiful beaches. However, some may not be so fortunate and may just be passing through. Here is a rundown of how to see the best of the city in just 24 hours.

Firstly, snap up a ticket on a Cape Town City Sightseeing Bus and enjoy a guided hop on/ hop off tour. This will help you to get your bearings and will mean that you can learn about the city on your way to the various sites. There are 17 stops dotted across the city.

Perhaps the most important stop off is at Table Mountain. This World Heritage Site is the most iconic location in Cape Town and perhaps the whole of South Africa. Fortunately, no strenuous exercise is required as the cable car reaches the top in just five minutes. Once on top of the famous landmark, you will be surprised by just how spacious it is.

Take your time to enjoy the 3600 views of the city, beautiful oceans and surrounding peaks. There are a number of free walks that you can join which show you the best views and offer the possibility to catch a glimpse of the mountains most fascinating wildlife. Keep those eyes peeled for the elusive Cape Verreaux Eagles, Rock Kestrels and mongooses.

Next head to the District 6 Museum, which allows you a glimpse into the nation’s chequered past. District 6 was originally a vibrant mixed community made up of freed slaves, artists, merchants and immigrants before being torn apart during apartheid. 60,000 residents were forcibly removed from the area and their homes destroyed.

If you have time, swing by the V & A Waterfront. This vibrant working harbour at the foot of Table Mountain is home to an upmarket shopping centre and an abundance of restaurants and cafes where you can sit back and refuel in the warm African sun.

Evening drinks should be enjoyed along the Camps Bay strip – home to a number of stylish nightspots. As the sunsets over the blue ocean you will be left with lasting memories of this beautiful city which will guarantee you vow to return.