Second day of our Mondulkiri Trip..

I was extremely tempted to just sleep the day coz it was really cool and the room was cozy. But we had to drag ourselves up early coz the group is now going to have some pretty packed schedule. Visiting schools, giving out school supplies and donations for school administration, we’ll also visit a famous waterfall in between those school visits and we plan to cap the day watching the sun set at the Phnom Bai Chuw.

Photos of Outreach Program Sen Monorom Lower School and Putang Village Lower School

Sen Monorom School

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Notebooks, pens, pencils and other school supplies were given to students. Books, notepads, flash cards and boxes full of teaching materials and aid were given to teachers. A significant amount in cash was also donated to the school administration for upgrading the school library and adding more materials.

Looking at the kids so happy at such simple things just drives home the fact that no matter what their situations are they really are eager to learn and to make better lives for themselves. There was also a student there who is half-blind but still goes diligently to school and the visiting teachers then gave her some financial assistance as well as other school materials. What is more touching is the way she said her thanks. She had tears streaming down her face and she just kept bowing and saying “ourkun charan” (thank you so much).

This just homed in on me that some things I take for granted like those notebooks, pencils etc but for others they are like treasures. I want to help more then. Even in small ways, I’d like to be able to reach out to communities like this. Perhaps as a volunteer or I’d like to help raise funds using my websites. This is a project I’ve been thinking of since we came back..

When Hi-ace (for new readers, Hi-ace is a nickname I gave hubby because of his fondness for the Toyota Hi-ace van ), asked me if I wanted to tag along with some teachers and students from Pannasastra University whose going to Mondulkiri Province for an outreach project, of course, the wanderlust in me couldn’t say no.

We’ve always been planning to explore and visit this province in Northeastern Cambodia but it never came to be a reality till now. What held us back before is that there are currently no regular bus service and the other alternative is to take share taxis. At the same time, some people told us about the “not-so-good” road conditions going there. Traveling with a small group made sense so we decided to go with the PUC group.

We left early Friday morning in a leased tourist bus. There were about 20 of us, all excited to see what Mondulkiri is all about. Of course, the group’s main aim there is to help out several schools particularly the Sen Monorom School in Sen Monorom as well as the primary school for the Pnong tribes in Putang, Mondulkiri. Aside from cash donations, the students and the teachers also had loads of school materials to give out so the bus was pretty loaded.

We were praying for good weather and thankfully it has been answered. No rains and sun was shining though it was not scorchingly hot. The roads up to certain parts were paved and all the rest were descent enough dirt roads. Except for one part were there were a lot of stranded big vehicles so we had to get down and walk for a few meters, it was altogther a pretty easy going trip.

I was also concerned about the restrooms on the stopovers, but surprisingly all places we’ve stopped had numerous and clean restrooms. I particularly like the 88 Restaurant, coz the restrooms were spacious, have a lot of water, and though the toilet was squat type (and my daughter kept bugging me how to use it ) it was nonetheless clean and not smelly.

As we neared Sen Monorom, Mondulkiri’s provincial capital, we had to stop again because two huge buldozers were “conveniently” parked along the road and we couldn’t pass through because our bus is a few inches taller than they allowed. The caretaker unfortunately didn’t have the key and the Chinese owner is having a leisurely lunch so we had to wait around 2 hours. So the students instead just sang songs and joked around. I find Khmers very good natured and cheerful whatever the circumstance is and they keep joking that indeed Cambodia is the “kingdom of wonder” because things happen that make you wonder why it happened. After the Chinese guy came and we were allowed to go through, it was then a laid back trip to Sen Monorom. The trip lasted around 7 hours, not counting the time we stopped over for meals and when we were stranded.

Mondulkiri Cambodia

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pine and grass covered hills, red earth and blue skies..

Mondulkiri is definitely a world apart from Phnom Penh and other Cambodian provinces in terms of the landscape, the climate and the culture. The average elevation in this province is 800 m so the breeze is cool and could be chilly at night.

Mondulkiri means “the Meeting of Hills” and I couldn’t think of a much more fitting name. This is a land of rolling hills, emerald valleys, pine trees and waterfalls. I feel like my amateur photography skills couldn’t do justice to what I was seeing. Endless green, azure skies, and a uniquely red earth soil is what I’d forever recall about Mondulkiri. The province is so sparsely populated and the number of houses along the way is so few, making the grassy hills and the greens more prominent.

I want to visit Las Vegas.. Yep! Las Vegas in known to offer one of the best spots for gaming, dining, shopping, entertainment so I’m more or less guaranteed to have a “wild experience”. I have no idea what to do in a casino, I don’t play cards, or do any gambling except maybe bet in the lottery once a year, yet there is something about Las Vegas that draws me. I’m even obsessive about CSI Las Vegas..

The colors, the sights, the people. Definitely a fascinating place to visit. Perhaps soon and wish I could get to stay in a luxury hotel with an observation deck with a 360-degree view like the Stratosphere hotel.

One of the places I would miss most in Manila are Quiapo and Divisoria. I love bargain hunting and these two places are simply the place to be for really great bargains. I’ve actually written a 3-post guide to Quiapo in my other blog but I have yet to post something about my favorite “shopping playground”, Divisoria.

Divisoria is located right in the heart of Manila. It is considered the mecca of bargain shopping in  all of Metro Manila. If you are on the lookout for cheap items, then this is the place to go. Here you can find almost everything, school and office supplies, textiles, clothing, housewares, small appliances, accessories, home decors, toys..well practically everything. If you are also looking for crafting and packaging materials, Divisoria offers wide choices.

Divisoria is not just one street. It actually encompasses several streets and has several malls around the area. Be prepared to walk around. Before venturing there keep this in mind:

• It could get really crowded particularly during weekends, holidays, before school starts and during Christmas season. If you are claustrophobic, Divisoria street market is not the place for you. If you can’t stand the heat, smell and close proximity of other people, you may opt for the air-conditioned malls around the area.
• Dress down. Wear walking shoes or slippers. Don’t wear jewelry. I’d advice against bringing electronic gadgets and cellphones. (Hehe but I did brought my digi-cam to take this photos… believe me I was scared somebody might just grab it!).
• Bring cash and small bills. They don’t accept credit cards here . There are ATM’s around but better be ready with enough cash.
• Before deciding on a purchase, check for quality. Especially ready made clothes, check the insides.
• Haggle, haggle, haggle! Sellers actually expect you to haggle. If its your first time, go with an experienced Divi shopper. If you can speak Chinese, that’ll mean additional discounts .
• Be careful about your belongings. Bring a large shopping bag. That will keep your purchases organized.

There are several malls around Divisoria. Divisoria Mall, 168 Mall, Tutuban Mall, Meisic Mall and there is a new mall beside Tutuban..

• Divisoria Mall – located near Tabora St., it’s air-conditioned with stalls in grid-like position. This mall has a lot of stalls so the pathways are narrow so on crowded days be prepared to squeeze yourself. There are three floors selling a wide range of items at wholesale and retail prices. There a lot of toys, school and office supplies, party supplies, clothes, home items, accessories, footwear. The third floor also houses a small food court area and restrooms. This mall also has a lower ground floor with stalls selling party supplies and lots of native handicrafts.
  
  
  
  

• 168 Mall – located a few meters away from Tutuban Mall. 168 Mall is air-conditioned, well-lit, and have bigger passageways than Divisoria Mall. This one also has better security, restroom facilities, and has more stalls. Stalls here sell items almost the same as those in Divisoria mall but I noticed there are more quality home decor and electronic gadgets. Food court is also big with lots of restaurants from. McDonalds, Jollibee, Tokyo Tokyo, Chowking, Greenwich, Namit Gid, Reyes Barbeque, American Hotdog, Balot Express, plus a several stalls offering Chinese food.  ATM’s are also located on the thri168 Mall can be accessed via Soler, Felipe and Sta. Elena St.
  
  
  
  
  
• Tutuban Mall – located along Claro M. Recto Avenue. This mall is also air-conditioned and divided in 3 clusters. This is also popular place to buy wholesale. You can find a good variety of textiles, ready to wear clothes, bags, shoes, sewing materials, accessories, phones plus there are also some shops of popular brands. Food court is also good as well as restroom facilities.
• Meisic Mall – this is a newly opened mall near 168. Located at the corner of Reina Regente and Meisic Sts in Binondo. You can find same items here as the other malls although the last time I went there 2 weeks ago, the first floor is not yet fully occupied.

Shopping at the malls are convenient but if you are not averse to large crowds, the heat and strong smell check out the streets too for good finds.

• Tabora St – find crafting materials, costumes,  sewing materials, textiles, kitchen utensils, ready made curtains and seat covers.
• Juan Luna St. – textiles, ready to wear clothes, shoes, accessories, packing supplies, cheap stuff toys;
• Check out Azcarraga Building too. This is a few blocks from Tutuban Mall, you’ll find great choices of textiles here at cheap prices.
• The street across Tabora and fronting Divisoria Mall, you’ll find  cheap vegetables here, there are also stalls selling boxes, gift wrapping materials.
• The building behind Divisoria Mall, I call it “Toy Kingdom”. This is the best place to shop for toys and party supplies.

How to get there.. Finding parking spaces can be difficult during crowded days. Tutuban Mall and 168 Mall have ample parking spaces but if bring a car navigating the crowded streets can be a headache. Park somewhere safe but make sure you can still walk back with all your purchases. As for me, I prefer commuting to Divisoria.

• If you are from Taft Avenue, there are jeepneys and FX taxi plying the Divisoria route. It will pass by Binondo Church, Juan Luna St., from here you can explore the streets or go to the malls;
• Take LRT1 if you’re from Monumento or Baclaran and get down in Doroteo Jose. From there take a pedicab to Divisoria or if you’re up to walk a few blocks then take a hike.
• If you’re from Cubao, Katipunan, Santolan area, take LRT 2 and get down at the last station- Recto;
• From Espana, there are also jeepneys taking Divisoria route;

Two nights ago, hubby was craving for some noodle soup – Vietnamese style. I know how to cook the simplest Pho but I was really busy to do some shopping so we all decided to just dine out. Cambodian Pho and Vietnamese Pho tastes similar so when hubby misses home he’d ask for Vietnamese food.

We both like eating at Pho Hoa, they are reasonably priced, have big servings, healthy and it tastes absolutely delicious.

Our usual picks, Pho Tái, Nam, Gân,  a noodle soup with tendon, flank, and eye round steak.

Bún Thit Nurong Cha Giò, grilled Pork and Fried Roll served with thin vermicelli noodles and vegetable with a sweet sour sauce.

All their fried rolls are a must-try as well and I’m really addicted to their iced-coffee – Cà Phê Suá.