Phnom Penh Walk: 3D Art World Museum

Last July 2016, I took my family to the Art in Island in Manila, the largest 3D Art Museum in the world. Even though it was our first time to visit a museum with interactive art displays and optical illusions, we all find it interesting and enjoyable as it inspired us to be more creative, evoked endless laughter and we learned something educational from the displays. So, when I learned about the 3D Art World in Phnom Penh, I took my son, cousin and neighbor there.

3D Art World

with my son at 3D Art World

3D Art World

The 3D Art World in New Stung Meanchey Market is the first trick museum and a new interactive attraction in Phnom Penh made by 15 Korean artists. The museum holds an amazing collections of a hundred paintings, painted on the floor and walls, designed to create playful optical illusions.

3d Art World

3D Art World

3D Art World

While visiting the museum, we didn’t miss any single painting and I noticed that my son still loved the 3D artworks and enjoyed posing crazy poses. It was indeed a fun mom-and-son-and-cousin-and-neighbor bonding Sunday.

3D Art World

3D Art World

3D Art World

3D Art World

3D paintings are very nice. If you wish to have an amazing experience with your family and if really love taking selfies and want to do it in a more creative way, this is gonna be the perfect place for you.

3D Art World

3D Art World

3D Art World

Little Lilly travel tip:

• The 3D Arts World Museum is located on the third (3^rd) of the New Stung Meanchey Market. It is open every day from 10am to 9pm. Telephone number: 092 473 030 or 086 693 030

Have you been to the 3D Art World? What is your favorite painting there?

Cambodia: Chilling Out on the Rabbit Island

Our day trip to the Rabbit Island (Koh Tonsay) wasn’t planned at all. While we stayed in Kampot and right after we learned about it from Kampot’s tourism office, we booked a boat trip to go to this little island to chill out there.

@ The Rabbit Island

This lovely island is very accessible and it took us only about 30 minutes to reach there by hired boat from Kep. It is one of the least-developed islands in Cambodia as there is no electricity, few residents and no available vehicles. The island is hilly and covered with coconut palms and dense jungle. It has nice beaches, tranquil and excellent place if you want to get lots of sun. There were plenty of hammocks and lazy chairs, a few dozen huts and fresh and delicious seafood. To me, all these make an ideal getaway from the grind.

charming coconut trees

The Rabbit Island

The Rabbit Island

When we arrived on the main beach of the island (where the boat dropped us off and where the boats anchored), we walked for about 15 minutes to the other side of the island where we could relax and swim.

Koh Tonsay also known as Rabbit Island

To me, it was such a relaxing day out on the rustic island – eating, drinking, reading a book while enjoying the beautiful scenery. I would say that it was worth a visit for a beach day.

Things to do in the island:

• Snorkeling. Some guest houses offer snorkels and masks for rent in case you would like to explore underwater. I have heard that the best spot to snorkel is around the rocky side of the beach and you can see some colorful fish, but there is a lack of coral.
• The water is clear and warm, perfect for swimming.
• Walking. It takes about 3 hours to walk around the perimeter of the island. While walking, you will pass/see some beaches and mangroves on the way.
• Chilling out in a hammock.

Koh Tonsay also known as Rabbit Island

Koh Tonsay also known as Rabbit Island

Little Lilly travel tip:

• The boats leave the ferry port regularly throughout the day. It costs $8 for a return ticket per person. You can buy boat tickets in the travel agency or you can just turn up at the jetty to make your own arrangement.
• The facilities available on the island: a few beach resorts with their own beachside restaurant shack, a collection of stilted bungalows arranged around a lawn with coconut palms, local restaurants, massage shop, and basic bar areas.
• There are many bungalows that runs the length of the beach.
• There are some insects around, so do cover yourself or spray yourself with anti-bug spray.
• The island is busy during weekends and public holidays and require booking ahead. However, on the normal weekday the island is wonderfully peaceful.

Have you been to the Rabbit Island? What do you think of it?

Taste of Home: Coq au Vin

Two months ago, I finally got another authentic French taste when hubby cooked this classic and hearty dish – Coq Au Vin (which means in English Rooster in Wine). It is unbelievably balanced, rich and very delicious.

Love this classic Coq Au Vin

Since then I had wanted to know how to make it. So one weekend I gave it a try myself, of course under hubby’s supervision.  As it turns out, this classic Coq Au Vin is actually surprisingly easy to make!

While cooking, I have learned the following:

1. One of the important ingredients in this recipe is the red wine. Traditionally, Burgundy wine is used, but you can use any red wine that you like.
2. The longer you cook (make sure the content in the pot remain moist), the richer the flavor, the softer the meat and the tastier it becomes.
3. It is okay to chop or prepare the other ingredients while cooking. If you do not have enough time to get everything ready beforehand, it is not a problem.
4. I think the only difficult part of the recipe is finding time to make it, as it took us nearly 2 ½ hours from start to finish.

Love this classic Coq Au Vin

If you find a weekend evening where you have a little extra time, turn on some music, and give it a try.  Personally, I had a great time cooking this most amazing slow-simmered chicken in red wine sauce. And – voila! – this classic dish will be yours to enjoy.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 kg of chicken breast, chopped
• 8 stripes of bacon, sliced
• 1 bottle of red wine
• 1 pack of white button mushroom, chopped
• 2 kg of baby potatoes, whole
• 4 whole leaves of Bay Leaf
• 2 kg of tomatoes, chopped
• 4 balls of garlic, chopped
• 4 carrots, roughly sliced
• 1  kg of shallots, halves
• 200 grams of Fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 teaspoon of Thyme
• 4 cubes of chicken broth
• Black pepper
• Soy sauce
• Olive oil

Love this chicken stew – Coq Au Vin

Method:

1. Prepare Bouquet Garni: put bay leaves, thyme and parsley in a bowl. Mix.
2. Put 1 liter of water in the pot. Add chicken broth and Bouquet Garni. Let it boil.
3. While the water is boiling, put some olive oil in the pan. Add black pepper and soy sauce to the chicken. Stir and let it cook until the chicken turns reddish brown.
4. Put in the meat into the boiling water. Put in shallots, carrots, baby potatoes (whole), and garlic. Stir.
5. Put in the red wine. Stir.
6. Put the bacon in a separate frying pan. Let it cook until it becomes light brown. When the bacon is cooked put it in the cooking pot where the rest of the ingredients are cooking.
7. Put the mushroom in another pan. Cook the mushroom for about 10 minutes or until the water in the mushroom has evaporated. Once cooked, put it in in the cooking pot.
8. Keep adding water if need be until the desired consistency is reached.
9. The total cooking time is about 2 hours above medium fire.
10. Serve and enjoy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Taste of Home: Oven roasted chicken

Thanksgiving is not celebrated in the Philippines, so when I arrived in Cambodia it was all new to me.  Ever since I celebrated my first Thanksgiving in Phnom Penh in 2009, I have grown to love and appreciate this special holiday, especially since there is no gift buying, wrapping and decorating. It’s just all about family and friends coming together and enjoying each other’s company while sharing a magnificent meal with a grateful heart.

oven roasted chicken 🙂

This year’s Thanksgiving was quite special for my family as this was our first Thanksgiving celebrated as a family (with our son) and at home, since for the past Thanksgiving we usually dined out in the restaurant.

To celebrate this amazing holiday, since I love cooking – and what better occasion is there to flex those culinary muscles – I decided to make oven roasted chicken. At first, I was considering making roasted turkey, but thought that it might be too big for 3.

roasted chicken fresh from the oven

It was my first time to make an oven roasted chicken, nevertheless, I was very happy that my boys enjoyed it. Next time I’m going to make it, I think it would be a good idea to add a good dousing of wine to add moisture to the whole deal.

To all of you, wish your heart and home was filled with joy on Thanksgiving Day!

Ingredients:

• 1 whole chicken, cleaned
• 1 teaspoon of sage
• 1 teaspoon Thyme
• 1 teaspoon rosemary
• 3 carrots, chopped
• 6 sticks celery, trimmed and chopped
• 1 big onion, chopped
• Chicken stock
• Freshly ground black pepper
• Butter
• Olive oil
• Salt

everything’s ready for oven roasting

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 200 degrees Celsius and place rack in the lowest position of the oven.
2. Prepare the chicken. Remove the chicken neck and giblets, rinse the chicken, and pat dry with paper towels.
3. While the chicken is drying, prepare the buttery mixture. Put the butter on the bowl. Put in sage, thyme, salt and black pepper. Mix thoroughly.
4. Rub the skin and the body cavity with the buttery mixture. Stuff the body cavity with celery, carrots and onion. Then tie the legs to make sure that it is evenly cooked.
5. Place the celery, carrots, and onion in the roasting pan. Then put the chicken, breast side up, and pour 2 cups of chicken stock into the roasting pan.
6. Place chicken in the oven. Baste all over every 30 minutes with the juices from the bottom of the pan. Whenever the drippings evaporate, add stock to moisten them. Roast the chicken for about two and a half hours.
7. Put the chicken in a large serving platter, and let it stand for at least 20 minutes before serving.