How to Choose a Restaurant

The big event! The proposal....a business deal closer.....Mother's Day.....Spouse's Birthday....How do you pick a restaurant? Well, the occasion itself will shape your choice even though most of the time you are not conscious of this. Food is one factor, but the environment and location are important too. And that is what makes the difference. When you take the time to choose, oftentimes you are rewarded with a great gastronomic experience built around the ambiance of the restaurant and the attitude of the staff serving you. Here are some things to consider:

Durbar Square, Kathmandu

Kathmandu Durbar Square is just one of several durbar squares in the valley.Vibrant with life in its temples filled all the time with worshippers, the old palace which is now a museum on Nepal's past royals,the old Newari houses, and the residence of the Kumari, the living goddess, Durbar Square is a must visit while you're in Kathmandu. At times, there are photo or painting exhibitions in the square and. of course, the myriads of souvenirs stalls selling all kinds of art reproductions mixed with original thangka paintings and newari woodwork, beads and pashminas, as well as cheap goods from India and China.If your stars that day are shining brightly, you may just have a glipmse of the Kumari as she decides to show herself for a minute or two in her window. It is quite an experience!

If you're not attentive, a sadhu might just get you at your forehead and leave you with a mark that will cost you some rupees. If you're attentive enough, you might just be able to click a shot as these sadhus pose for some tourists who gave them lots of rupees for the privilege. Their bright orange colored robes, unwieldy hair ad painted faces will not let you miss them in a crowd, so, look out.

Deepavali

May the Light of Deepavali Shine on Us

Yes...today is Deepavali, the Festival of Lights, a celebration of the joys of life. Hindus celebrate this day with streets lined with small, decorated earthenware oil lamps called diyas, lights and fireworks, the exhange of sweets and gifts, and lavish dinner. They lit lamps to help the goddess of wealth and prosperity, Lakshmi, find her way into their homes. For five jubilant days,they celebrate the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil, and nowledge over ignorance. The day begins with an oil bath and visits to temples.

This festival goes as far back as the time of the demon King Narahasuran. This King was cruel to his people that God Vishnu transformed himself into Barmmma to get rid of this King. At his last breath, the king had a transformation. He confessed to his cruelties of preventing his subjects from having daily baths, wearing new clothes, and worshipping God in addition to torturing them. With his new found wisdom, the King pleaded with Vishnu to let people celebrate his death and that on this day, they will do all the things he prevented them from doing. This day, you will see Hindus wear new clothes, bath and worship in the temple.

Kravan House, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Kravan House is a very small store in Phnom Pehn, Cambodia run by Thanan Hok. Thanan designs many of the products she sells in the store. She has developed a model where she trained a few women, mostly disabled like her to do some of the designs. She would have about 5 to 10 women working in one village. She has several of these groups in tiny villages close to Phnom Pehn and the women would come with their cloth tied packages of finished products. When you visit the store, you will chance upon some of these women bringing their finished products and with Thanan patiently go over each of these for quality control.

Once, an older lady was there with Thanan unloading silk flowers that the old lady sewed for Thanan. With the old lady is her grand daughter whose parents died of HIV so she ended up taking care of her. Apparently, the other grand daughters also died of HIV except for this particular one. Another time, a middle aged woman was there bringing the silk cloth she finished weaving. One could only surmise the stories these women would be able to share if we shared a common language. Still the smiles and gestures communicated our appreciation for the beautifully woven cloth.
At still another time, we saw two boxes filled with beautiful silk purses and bags being shipped to the United States. Sometimes, there are not much left on display as most of the finished products have been sold. Thanan’s dream is to have one day a place just outside of Phnom Pehn where she could have some of the unemployed women from the villages and train them to do some of her designs. As she is now selling many of her products, this dream could happen. It will take some time with real estate increasing so fast in Phnom Pehn but with Thanan’s talent and determination, she could pull it off. With a little more capital, she would do better but her designs are selling and this is the key for now.

Les Jardins,Maasin,Philippines

You would never expect such a beautiful place in Naslo, Maasin. The former owners said this place was formerly a quarry. Now, it is a beautiful garden. Aptly named, Les Jardins, by its new owners, CRISME, the place is now blooming with all kinds of flowers and plants creating a place of utter abundance. What an appropriate place for a wedding.

You are right there! CRISME is

no longer just funerals.

It is weddings, anniversaries, reunions and all other celebrations in your life.

Planning a wedding, call: CRISME at 63 33 522 8169

Ratanakiri, Cambodia

Ratanakiri takes its name from two Khmer words: Ratana which means jewel and kiri which means tree. Ratanakiri is a mountainous region with precious stones and plenty of trees. Bordering Vietnam to the east and Laos to the north, it is a favorite trekking place for adventure tourists.

It is the home of most of Cambodia's ethnic minorities

and you can see many of them in the local market of

Ban Lung, the capital of Ratanakiri, selling their produce or trapped

animals and buying whatever supplies they need. Some of the its famous attractions include Yak Loom Lake, Ka Chhagn, Ka Teang and Cha Ong Falls, Ei Sey Bor Ta Mac Mountain, Lum Kud Vocanic Lake, O'Cha Loy River, O'Sing Lere River and Ban Lung local market. You can buy precious stones and other crafts made by the ethnic tribes.

These kids volunteer as guides in the Falls.
As tourists are coming to Ratanakiri, there are very good hotels and many more are being built. The favorite is an old plantation house, Terre Rouges (http://www.ratanakiri-lodge.com/ ) beautifully set in an oriental garden with tastefully decorated rooms and bungalows.

Terre Rouges

Khmers Celebrating New Year

The Khmers as the Cambodians are called celebrate New Year in April. Mind you, they also celebrate January 1 and more especially Chinese New Year. However, Khmer New Year is extra special. Phnom Pehn, the capital city is almost empty as people go home to their home provinces. Offerings are made of fruits and flowers in the temple, in the Neak Ta shrines and in their homes. All roads lead to home.