A Road Trip to Phnom Baset

June 6, 2021 – We needed to unwind, so we set out to find a natural spot in the wilderness where we could gladly spend our weekend. Our driver had mentioned Phnom Baset, so I did some research about the place. After gathering some information, we thought that a road trip to Phnom Baset and some mountain activities would be perfect.

Phnom Baset is around 28 kilometers (about 1 hour) north-west of Phnom Penh and also known as Prasat Phnom Baset or Baset Mountain, where we enjoyed some nature walking at a beautiful hilltop lodge.

As we climbed the north side of the hill, we noticed several nice picnic huts and considered to return there for a picnic one day. When we reached the top, we were treated to a breathtaking panorama of the plains, lakes, rivers and rice fields that surrounded us. On the slope, the air is crisp and refreshing. After a while, we climbed up to see the temple.

Then we wandered through the forest, taking advantage of excellent opportunities for climbing up the rocks and flora viewing, particularly cacti. We had an opportunity to completely unplug while up on the hill. Everything about the mountains captured us, from the natural sounds to the inspiring scenery to the twisting roads.

We then drove to the south side of Phnom Baset. We went to a Chinese shrine there, where many people visit to pray for good fortune. We stood on the shrine’s back patio, watching the descending sun decorate the beautiful clouds in the sky, before they were smashed into a stunning sunset, clipped into the blue sky of poetry, and became a perpetual memory.

Then we sauntered down the hill. The jungle reminded us of our favorite forest in France – Le Huelgoat. We took a leisurely stroll around the area. The breeze was cool. The natural melodies of chirping birds and crickets were so soothing and had a significant positive impact on us. It was eerily quiet and serene. It was relaxing and beautiful.

It was 5.30 in the afternoon and it started to drizzle. So, we decided to return to the car and drive to the nearby temple, which is only a 10-minute drive away.

Oudongkha Temple is a relatively new structure, having been constructed in 1996. When we arrived, it was closed and only few people were around. Since we couldn’t get inside, we wandered around the temple. The surroundings are pleasant, clean, and bordered by trees. And as the rain had begun to fall heavily, we decided to drive back home.

Our quick trip to Phnom Baset was a welcome change of pace. The road trip was delightful and enjoyable, especially because we were listening and singing to some of our favorite classic country songs. Mountains, in general, are a place where we go to slow down time and it has an old-world charm that you must experience for yourself. If you are in Phnom Penh, and you wish for a quiet and tranquil escape and want to get away from the hustle and bustle, Phnom Baset is the place to go.

Little Lilly Travel Tips:

• There are cycling trails and good picnic huts on the north side of Phnom Baset.
• Bring some mosquito repellents.

Weekend Staycation at Hyatt Regency Hotel

We have all been swamped with work and needed a break, so I booked a 65-square-meter residential-style suite room at the Hyatt Regency Hotel for the weekend (May 29 &30) to be able to relax luxuriously while overlooking vibrant views of Phnom Penh. We feel that taking a break from work will boost our productivity and creativity, allowing us to work more effectively.

As we arrived into the hotel’s driveway, we were welcomed by a beautiful French historic structure bordered by Frangipani trees. Then we strolled into a meticulously restored cadmium-yellow colonial house with wooden shutters, arched doors, and terracotta-tiled roof, which was built in the early twentieth century and offered us a nostalgic sensation.

We sauntered through the hotel and were struck by how well the interiors portrayed Cambodia’s unique history, flawlessly merging Khmer architectural accents with French colonial influences and excellent artworks. One of the things that caught our attention was the gorgeous spiral staircases that go up to the magnificent Attic located in the eaves of the original colonial house.

Our experience at Hyatt was wonderful. Our favorite part of our staycation was lounging in our incredibly comfortable room.  Our suite was tastefully decorated, elegantly designed, spacious and clean. Throughout our stay, it supplied us with modern comforts and everything we could possibly need.

When I saw this piece of artwork on the wall in the suite, it reminded me of one of my son’s drawings from last year, when he was thirteen years old.

Due to Covid-19 restrictions, some of the hotel’s facilities were restricted, therefore our main activity there for two days was to unwind in the 1.4m deep outdoor pool surrounded by some foliage. On our first day, we stayed until dusk, taking-it-easy in a warm pool while gazing at a cloudy sky. On the second day, after we had a gigantic and leisurely breakfast, we relaxed by the pool and soaked up the morning sun and got a tan.

I put on my bikini while the boys put on their swim shorts, packed our goggles and books, and got ready to take full advantage of the outdoor pool. We like to read a book before and after we jump into the water to cool off. The water was very refreshing, and I sat at the pool’s edge enjoying the sun. Life is indeed cool by the pool.

We reserved an outdoor table for three at the Five Five Restaurant and Bar, where we had a good dinner with a view and with a spectacular crimson moon hanging over us in the background. While we were eating, it was breezy, fresh and relaxing. The 5/5 Restaurant menu was exclusively comprised of seafood dishes, which was convenient for me as I was craving for oysters. On the other hand, my husband is not really a big fan of seafood, and my son fancied Cambodian cuisine, so they both ordered from the Market Café. It took us a while to get our food, but it didn’t bother us as we spent the time talking about various topics – music, movies, politics, history, etc.

We grabbed our buffet breakfast and a la carte lunch at the Market Café Restaurant and Lounge. The breakfast at the buffet has many options, including Asian fusion, western and European styles. While munching our breakfast, our conversation veered off in so many directions – Dracula’s history, Karl Lagerfeld’s legendary quotes and many more – that we didn’t realize we had eaten enough for three meals.

Throughout our stay, we were pleased with the staff. They were friendly, polite, and helpful without being intrusive.  Even though the hotel has just opened recently, the service and attention to details were more than satisfactory.

Overall, we had a nice staycation, pampered by the caring management team and treated to the luxury of Cambodia’s past and present. We had gotten enough rest and refreshed our mojos, and we’d been raring to go all week.

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Phnom Penh. All thoughts are mine, as this page is to chronicle our stay there.