STORY BY: Kari Hoel
PHOTOS BY: Kari Hoel

Three days in Cambodia is too little, but enough to find out that the Angkor temples are among the world’s most incredible sites.

A little bit of geography: The Angkor temples are 7 km from the town Siem Reap. Siem Reap is in the north-western part of Cambodia, and it has an international airport. My husband and I flew there from Bangkok, which was an efficient way to travel as we had limited time. Travelers whose funds are more limited than their time, get there by bus/taxi, or by boat from Phnom Penh.

Most visitors to the Angkor temples rent a tuk-tuk with a driver. We decided to combine exercise and sightseeing, so we rented bicycles instead. We loved it! The bikes very not very good (the rental price was USD 2 per day), but it did not matter as the area is very flat and easy to cycle around regardless of the quality of the bike. Also, Cambodian drivers are courteous and drive carefully (in sharp contrast to Thai drivers), so we were not worried about being run down by maniac drivers.
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I have been to Cafe del Hidalgo many times for Gelato. Boy is it good. I am so happy that they don’t always have Nocciola (Hazelnut) or else I would never have gotten the chance to explore the other many wonderful flavors. One day, I was out on an errand and I decided to try their espresso. Whenever I go to a new coffee place to try their espresso drinks, I always get a latte, so it is the standard by which all coffee places are judged.

My latte at Cafe del Hidalgo was alright but it was not as good as some of the other places I have been, like Mystic Bean, which I will be doing a write up on later. I was also disappointed that it was served in a paper cup, even though I was having it there. This is not just a complaint about Hidalgo, but most coffee places now. I remember the days when you went to a coffee bar and if you were having a drink there they served it to you in a regular coffee/ espresso/ cappuccino cup. I miss that and I hope the coffee bars will go back to that someday. There is something nice about that.

I still may go back to Cafe del Hidalgo and try one of their fancy specialty coffees, but most likely I will just stick to the Gelato!

A bright soul has left this world. At the age of 30, my bellydancing teacher, Rose Champagne has left on the final journey into the unknown after a battle with brain cancer. She already beat it five years ago and had her whole life ahead of her. When I left New England, she had just gotten married and bought a new house. She had it all – a wonderful husband, a new house and a fabulous career doing what she loved. She was one of those shining stars, someone with a beautiful soul who kind of glided through the world. She was the kind of person everyone wanted to know and be around. She was someone who stood out in a room. She was kind, and loving and beautiful. I knew her but briefly and from afar, but she affected everyone she knew with her grace. I pray for her family that must go on without her.

To my teacher Rose Champagne. Rose, it is hard to believe that a spirit so strong and beautiful and full of light has left this earth. There is always a bit of emptiness felt in the world, when a light as bright as yours leaves this realm. I ask that your spirit be as free now, as it always was in The Dance now that you are free from the physical limitations of your body, which whirled with such grace and beauty as you walked among us for too brief a time. You taught us how to be free in our own dances and to let the ancestral spirit flow and sway with our bodies. You taught us how to communicate through dance and let loose. You gave so much to us all and I want to thank you and send you with gifts of the sweetest baklava and delicious dark Turkish Coffee, for the journey you have left to travel.
May you be at peace.

This restaurant which is often touted as a place for tourists is in fact, great for tourists because it has a fantastic view of Matanzas Bay and The Bridge of Lions. You can see seagulls, fish and even dolphins playing in the water below you. But it is also a fun place for locals when you need to get your fix of watching crazy seagulls and attempt to feed them without getting your fingers bitten off! Kids will love it, too, as this place is more than food, it is also entertainment.

We had a great experience at The Santa Maria when my Dad and Stepmom were visiting a few weeks ago. We were going to take them to the A1A Alehouse, so they could get a nice view of the water and city, grab a pint of beer and enjoy the food, but they were closed for renovations. So A1A missed out!By this time we were so starving we didn’t know what to do. The belly was taking over the mind, so we ended up at The Santa Maria. I am really glad we did because I am sure this is exactly the kind of place I would have overlooked since it is right on the water and I have a theory that a good view does not always equate to good food. But I was happy that The Santa Maria proved me wrong.
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