Last Indulgence at The Blue Pumpkin

So today my colleague and I decided to dine out for a change.

After quite a few minutes squabbling over the destination, we finally made up our minds and declared that The Blue Pumpkin would be the place to be.

Both of us have not eaten at The Blue Pumpkin yet, so we were a bit apprehensive - especially since we heard rumors about the high prices. Needless to say, we went ahead with our plan and planned to eat pastries if we were not comfortable with the prices.

For my part, I was a bit surprised since the prices were not exactly stellar high, but I guess it is higher than other places.

Upon first entering the place, I was giddy with anticipation as there were simply a lot of pastries that looked de-lish! That, plus the tons of ice cream that greeted me as soon as I stepped inside.

My colleague made her initial order, while we went up to the second floor to grab a booth and see other options.

Upstairs, I spotted the famed bed-couches which looked ultra comfortable and inviting. However, since it was crowded when we arrived, we opted to get a table and get our orders done and over with.

The food:

My friend already ordered her Farmer's Salad ($5.50), while I opted to try something new by choosing the Open Face Chicken Sandwich ($5.50).

 Farmer's Salad has ham, chicken, eggs, cheese, iceberg(?), tomato, and mustard vinaigrette.

Open Face Chicken Sandwich has ratatouille, basil, bacon, and cheese in panini bread.

We also ordered some dessert to make the meal complete. I had the Chocolate Fondant ($3.75), while my friend had the Home-made Yogurt w/ Fruits ($3.00). Yes, she is definitely the healthy eater between the two of us!

Home-made Yogurt with Fruits (pineapple, watermelon, and dragon fruit).

Chocolate Fondant with caramel and cashew ice cream.

The ambiance:

The place itself relaxing, although with the white theme, I cannot help but find the floors a bit dirty. Maybe because it was lunch time and several people already went through it? In my mind's eye, I pictured a crisp white place that was both comfortable and quite clean. It is, after all, white. But it was not what I expected. Still the ambiance and comfort was okay enough.

The location:

The Blue Pumpkin we went to is located along Preah Sisowath Quay.

Image from Your Phnom Penh

Menu pictures:

Conclusion:

The food at The Blue Pumpkin was quite delicious. I found myself enjoying the dish I was served. The Open Face Chicken Sandwich was big and fulfilling, and I loved the mixture of the flavors and cheeeese (huge fan of cheese). Although I am not a huge fan of basil, so I felt the basil coming back up an hour or so later. For the Farmer's Salad, it was delicious looking, but we found the mustard vinaigrette a bit too overwhelming. But maybe because we are not used to it.

The dessert, on my behalf was the highlight of my meal. LOVED IT A LOT. My friend, however, had trouble finishing her fruit mix. 

Although not perfect, the food was satisfying and I think The Blue Pumpkin can be given another try. I do love their cakes, pastry, and ice cream. That's for sure!

Hullo!

So, I'm back.. on track. But maybe not that much.

Been quite busy for the past few weeks (read: lazy), and I was not able to blog much. I don't think it was because of a lack of things to say, perhaps because I was busy and at the end of the day I felt so lazy and tired that I just wanted to vegetate.

What's up?

Good news, about Marion. Although they are still in need of your help and kindness, I believe they have reached an agreement with the hospital to proceed with the surgery that Marion really, really, needs. So, thank God, Goddess, Allah, Buddha, and all the higher beings for their help and guidance.

In other news, the Philippines is being attacked by torrential downpour. There have been many lives lost, especially in Luzon, which is quite terrifying. While August remains to be the rainy season in the Philippines, I wish it did not have to be so catastrophic.

While I was traipsing through the web, I chanced by the Inquirer page and found some trolls making rude remarks on comments made by concerned citizens. While I normally do not bother with people such as these, it can be sad and annoying to find commenters who have nothing better to do than curse others and/or put people down. Peace and Love, yo! Peace and Love.

Meanwhile, in Cambodia, the heat is killing me. But, there are worst things in life, so I am thankful that I am alive, and I pray that may Angels guide, guard, and comfort those who are suffering.

So.. what have you been up to?

Cambodia faces problem with lethal disease

Photo taken from Raw Story

A few days ago, the world was rocked with news about a lethal disease that has broken out in Cambodia. This came just a few days after somebody informed my family about this occurrence as well.

We've been shocked by these news especially since we are living in the said country, and we do fear for our own safety and welfare.

It was a good thing, though, that the World Health Organization (WHO) was able to narrow down the suspected cause of the virus that has been killing off young children as a virulent strain of the Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease. Still, since there is no vaccine or cure for this disease, what we can really do is just fend it off.

I cannot say that I'm too comfortable with it because paranoia strikes every now and then. Especially since I do have dreams of going home, and what's worse is that people in my office are coughing their brains out, and they don't even know how to cover their mouths as they do so.

Can you blame me if I start spraying alcohol around the place? I kid. I kid. LOL but one can never be too sure especially regarding this sickness. 

I guess the only thing I can do now is to make sure I drink my vitamins, eat healthy food. Probably start an exercise regimen so as to maintain a healthy body. And drink drink drink water.

Do you have any other tips on how to deal with this? I'd appreciate it.

On the other hand, locals seem to think this disease is nothing. According to a friend, "it just happen[s] to babies." Is it? I could be overreacting, but I think it is a big deal.

I hope there will be no more deaths babies or adults, and I do pray that there will be some kind of miracle or solution to Cambodia's problems.

And now I go to spray more alcohol. Call me OCD or call me OCD. I am just trying to be safe.

Breathtaking sights at Kbal Chhay waterfalls

Last month, I finally had a chance to step out of Phnom Penh and check out nearby wonders after months of roaming the same streets in the city.

My family and I hit the road on a rented van and made our way Sihanoukville where we spent the day enjoying the nice beach. It took us 3 hours or so getting from Phnom Penh to the beach, we spent a few hours getting sunburned before we started our trip back home. While on our way back, we passed by Kbal Chhay waterfalls, which was a beautiful sight to behold!

I must admit, the Kbal Chhay falls was the first waterfalls that I had seen - EVER.

The path we followed as we got around the waterfalls was a bit on the steep and adventure-laid side, but we survived. Whoohoo! We managed to get onto the part of Kbal Chhay falls that was not so dangerous and even showered a bit.

It was definitely a wonderful experience to enjoy. Sitting under water of the falls and feeling the rush of the spray instantly took the stress away from me and my companions. Good thing the place we chose was 'tourist friendly' so we were able to enjoy ourselves - and of course take pictures.

I took the time to let Mother Nature wash out bad vibes and recharge my soul. Heh. 

Well, after a day at the beach, followed by a fresh waterfall shower, who wouldn't be tired senseless? Suffice it to say that I hardly felt time pass by as we spent another 3 hours going back to Phnom Penh. We got home by night fall and most of us crashed and burned without even thinking of food.

For those who do not know where Kbal Chhay falls is, below is a map I lifted off Google Maps. Hope it helps!

As for the Sihanoukville part of the trip, that is a story befitting another post.

Cheers!

Food Trip Friday: Kraing

Since I transferred to Cambodia, you could say that I have indulged in food that may not often grace my plate.

While the Philippines does have its own fair share shellfish recipes which I love, here is one that I have encountered only in Cambodia so far.

Kraing.

I believe this is raw shellfish (but I could be wrong!) eaten with some chili and the Khmer red salt (salt + MSG + chili).