KUALA LUMPUR AND SIEM REAP DO - 2014

DAY 1: COCKTAIL RECEPTION IN KL

This was the official start of the Do. Unfortunately (we blame jet-lag), no-one took any photos so it remains undocumented. Everyone arrived in Kuala Lumpur and stayed at the Grand Hyatt. Driven2travel decided to sponsor a cocktail reception, so our suite was soon full of interesting personalities! In addition to some prosecco and champagne, we bought some local delicacies from the wonderful JP Teres Restaurant in the hotel.

After the reception, we proceeded to the club lounge and decided to use the private meeting room so as not to disturb the non-Flyertalkers! The club lounge was wonderful, providing dinner for all and it was an absolute delight to see Didi and Fara again.

The Grand Hyatt in KL is one of the top properties in the Hyatt portfolio. Although we didn't use a specific group rate, everyone felt that the hotel was great value for money and provided terrific service. In particular, breakfast was wonderful, offering such a  mouth-watering choice of Western and Eastern cuisine. 

DAY 3: ARRIVE SIEM REAP

A very early start the next day was required in order to catch the Air Asia flight to Siem Reap. After wishing a safe journey to the others, the organisers had a meeting and night at the wonderfully peaceful Villa Samadhi, so left the group in the capable hands of the Park Hyatt Siem Reap management team and the driver we hired for the trip, Synon Korng. We strongly recommend using Synon if you need transport - reasonable prices, always on time, great spoken English and quick to reply to emails.

After a quick breakfast in the Greenhouse Cafe and a short rest, many in the group headed out by tuk-tuk to begin exploring the wonders of the nearby temples. Angkor Wat was top of the list with its intricately beautiful carvings and slightly overwhelming size. In the evening, some members of the group visited Raffles hotel to have dinner with Apsara dance entertainment, whereas others headed out to Pubstreet to search for food.

DAY 5: DAY IN THE LIFE AND CUISINE WAT DAMNAK

One of the highlights of this trip was the day in the life experience. After being picked up at the hotel, we were driven to a local village and driven by ox-cart to a local woman's home and small holding. Here, we spent over an hour harvesting a rice paddy for a local farming family (back breaking work but so rewarding) and then planted mango trees (we look forward to returning in a few years to taste the fruit of our labour). We also visited the village school, where walls are made from recycled plastic bottles and rubbish. Afterwards, we had a well-earned Cambodian lunch (an embarrassing amount of delicious food was served) with a local type 1 (the poorest) Cambodian housewife cooking for us. After a collection on the final night, we bought 5 water-filters for the village in order to provide clean and healthy drinking water, and we plan to support the village in future as well. From our point of view, this is one of the best activities to do in Siem Reap - you get to meet real locals, help out in the village and experience something completely unique. Harvesting a paddy really is back-breaking work! For anybody interested, we can book this activity for you and if you wish to donate to help these wonderful but extremely impoverished people you can do so via Husk.

In the evening, we ate at the celebrated Cuisine Wat Damnak, which provides high-end Cambodian cuisine at a great price ($26 for 5 courses). 

DAY 7: ARTISANS D'ANGKOR AND FINAL DINNER

Day 7 was left open. Many decided to visit new temples, such as the Roulus Group, or revisit favourites from the previous few days. We decided to check out Artisans d'Angkor, which had been recommended to us from one of the attendees. This is definitely a must-see in Siem Reap. In addition to the workshops showing stone carving, metalwork, silk painting and artwork, there was a wonderful shop. After visiting on one day, we actually returned to see everything in more detail. Although we have currently only bought small items and a silk dressing gown, we plan to buy a large stone sculpture for our apartment in Berlin. The workshops provide training as well as employment, allowing villagers to make a living.

In the evening, it was time for the farewell dinner. The Park Hyatt Siem Reap had generously offered to sponsor our dinner, so we enjoyed Parma ham with melon, fish amok (a traditional Cambodian dish) and a delicious dessert in the dining room of the hotel. Quality of food and company was superb - it was just a pity the event had to end so soon. 

DAY 2: MELAKA DAY TRIP

Although we love KL, most in our group were already very familiar with it as both S.E Asian hub and destination. Therefore we decided to arrange a day trip to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Melaka.  Around a 2.5 hour easy drive away, the trip is well worth making if you're looking for something different to do.

The first thing you notice in Melaka is the abundance of rickshaws, mostly decked out in the tackiest brightly coloured decor you can imagine. Many of these also played loud western pop music, which creates a strange atmosphere of cultural contrasts in this bustling Provincial Capital and historic little tourist town.

After strolling around the main square with Dutch Cathedral and down the river walk, we stumbled across the old palace, which provided a short respite from the heat and was an interesting way to pass an hour or so. Although there were a lot of tourists in the town, we were glad to have visited and seen such interesting architecture - Melaka is a melting pot of European and Asian design. 

If you feel adventurous, try some of the durian goodies lining the street. If not, there's always the Hardrock Cafe, which provides air-con and ice-cold beers & ice cream.

DAY 4: BANTEAY SREI, COCKTAILS AND TOUICH

An early morning start to beat the crowds saw Synon driving the group to the impressive Angkor Thom to explore the Bayan with its hundreds of inscrutable stone faces, Baphoun and Phimeanakas. Then, back to the hotel for a morning nap or to enjoy the oasis of the PH's pool, before the organisers arrived from KL at lunchtime to join the tour to Banteay Srei, one of the prettiest temples around Siem Reap.

Starting at the Banteay Srei butterfly centre, we marvelled at the sheer number and variety of these gorgeous flying insects. After that, it was on to the pink and yellow sandstone temple of Banteay Srei before returning to the hotel for a cocktail reception in one of the pool suites - this was generously provided for us by the hotel. The suite provided the perfect backdrop for a reception and we happily sipped perfectly chilled white wine and enjoyed the delicious canapés made by the highly capable restaurant staff. Reluctantly, we left to Touich, a wonderful little restaurant an interesting tuk-tuk race (including a portion through a graveyard) away.

DAY 6: COOKING, CRAZY GOLF AND PHARE CIRCUS

Today, the group split - many enjoyed a cooking lesson, learning how to prepare traditional Cambodian delicacies such as fresh spring rolls and aromatic curry. To start the cooking class off, attendees visited a local Cambodian family home to see the housewife's kitchen - somewhat different from the facilities provided by Sojourn Villas hotel, where the lesson was held.

Others of us went to the surprisingly good Angkor Wat Putt, where we spent a hugely enjoyable afternoon in the sun. With the incentive of a free drink with every hole-in-one, we managed 4 between us. Then, in the evening, Phare Circus provided awesome entertainment. This is a must if you visit Siem Reap. Sadly no photography is allowed during the show.

DAY 8: FOND FAREWELLS AND RICE NOODLE EXPERIENCE

Unfortunately, everyone left today and we wondered what to do next. We had previously spoken to the marketing team in Siem Reap and leant about the Masters of Food and Wine experience offered by the hotel during that specific promotion; a trip to a local family to learn how rice noodles are made. To be honest, we thought that the trip sounded expensive, but decided to do it anyway. In the end, it was fantastic value for money.

We set out with the Chef de Cuisine Pisith Theam to visit the local market and learn about the fish, fruit, herbs and vegetables on offer. Our private driver then drove us to the village famous for rice noodles, where we tried our hand (with much giggling from the locals) at milling, pounding and folding the rice. This nuclear family did everything from making the flour to making rice origami in beautiful rosettes. Although the hotel provided a generous fruit basket and $20, we wished we could have bought the noodles, but it was advised that the hygiene was not suitable for tender Western stomachs! After visiting a rice noodle shop, we made our own clay rice pots (more difficult than expected) and enjoyed a wonderful rice-based meal at the PH REP.

Although the location of this event was changed at the last minute from Thailand to Cambodia, we all felt that the event ran fantastically well. Angkor Wat was on everyone's bucket list and the Park Hyatt Siem Reap provided a beautiful base. The hotel were so generous to provide a wonderful cocktail reception and dinner, and Siem Reap was the perfect destination for all sorts of activities, from great food, fun activities and charitable work. 

We plan to continue our support of HUSK and look forward to returning to the area next February. A great trip with good company. Who could ask for more?