Yesterday was a slower day. I was thankful for that as we have been so busy.
Mr. Lee picked us up and brought us to the US Embassy where we had a meeting to discuss the Visa Process of Cambodians wanting to come to the US. I had never been to an Embassy before so this was an interesting experience.
After we stopped at a store I really like here in Cambodia called Senteurs d'Angkor which sells Cambodian grown products. I visited Senteurs d'Angkor on my first trip to Cambodia where they are based in Siem Reap. Siem Reap is home to the famous Cambodian Temples. Exploring these temples on my first visit was simply amazing. Learn more here:
Angkor,
Temples.
I was very happy when I returned to find they also have a store in Phnom Pehn.
Note: Their website is not working so I took this piece from their Facebook page which gives you their story.
The aromas they describe are truly amazing.
The moment you walk into our Senteurs d’Angkor shop you are immediately struck by an explosion of the senses with heady aromas floating from every corner. It ‘s can be difficult to choose which kind of scent you prefer so you can start with an everyday indulgence by trying our coconut oil-based handmade soaps. Available in a variety of scents including jasmine, orchid, cinnamon, lemongrass, green tea, mango. lotus and orange, our soaps are all made by hand, using traditional techniques and extracts derived exclusively from plant oils and 100 % natural ingredients..
Afford yourself some pampering, some “me time” with our delicately perfumed massage oils, body creams, body scrubs and bath salts, to ease the ache and pains of visiting the temples and send the body into a state of blissful calm.
For scents of a more aromatic kind, tease your taste buds with our fine selection of Cambodian spices including authentic Khmer curry, Lok lak, Satay, lemongrass, cinnamon, chilli and the famous Kampot pepper.
For an over the top indulgence, intoxicate your senses with the silky delight of our mango jam, the rich aroma of our flavoured tea and coffee from Ratanakiri, or the potent rice alcohol (brandy) from Siem Reap.
For those wanting to see more of what goes into making the scents and colours of Senteurs d’Angkor products, visit our workshop. Upon arrival, you will be greeted by a wide variety of brightly-coloured sugar palm leaves drying in the sun. See the weavers producing the lovely boxes that carry all of your purchases home. Then you can see how our natural soaps, moisturising creams, scented balms and aromatic candles are made. From there, move on to discover the different steps in the preparation of spices (Kampot pepper, lemongrass, ginger, chilli) and the mixture of subtle combinations which make traditional Khmer curry spice, satay and lok-lak.
Senteurs d’Angkor prides itself on sourcing all of its products in Cambodia, from our raw ingredients to our packaging materials, which is not easy task. In line with our philosophy of ‘home-sourcing’, most of our packaging comes from the sugar palm tree, an abundant, natural and recyclable resource in Cambodia..
This philosophy ensures that jobs and incomes stay within Cambodia, helping to address the country’s poverty and reduce dependence on imports. We use the finest raw ingredients sourced from all over the country.
We employ 160 people and provide regular work to another 100 people, mostly women from the rural area, 10% of the workshop staff are handicapped, and all benefit from good work conditions (salary, profit-sharing, insurance, working environment…)
The official Seal of Authenticity for handicraft from Siem Reap Province
Siem Reap artisans have developed what is a unique set of skills and creative talent. To award their contribution to the cultural richness of Siem Reap Province, the provincial Government promotes this Seal of Authenticity. it guarantees that purchase a handicraft product made by Siem Reap artisans.
We then returned to the hotel where I sat and finished my book, The Great Alone. I really loved it and was grateful for the time to read.
Finally, we had dinner at my favorite restaurant in Cambodia,
Malis. The focus is on traditional Cambodian food and it is absolutely delicious. I had
Fish Amok, the most famous Cambodian dish. Then for desert I had
Kampot Pepper Brûlée. While we ate a woman played traditional Cambodian music on a Roneat Dek, also called a Roneat Thung- beautiful. Learn more about Malis, Fish Amok, and Kampot Pepper by clicking on the links in red.
