5-Day R&R for turning 29!

Well, the last thing one wants to do at the end of long HOT (the recent summer temps are at the 'feel like' temps of 113-115 F) is stick on computer and book a R&R. This will be my last 5 day R&R as we are now transitioning from 6 day work week to 5 beginning June 1. Also very excited that I am moving into a home June 9th and our Head of Office has approved Self-Drive- which will allow us ex-pats to use vehicles during non-working hours. I can already see myself driving to the track, running my laps under the stars, and then heading home in a vehicle ready to cook up some healthy dishes (so so so ready for my pizza/rice binge to end), watch a show and fall asleep in clean room!

Anyways, people were making suggestions for R&R locales- but there would be caveats to consider: is this affordable? Would I be disappointed to leave after 4 short days? How friendly is it to outsiders and furthermore, is it safe/accessible for a single female. My list included some choice spots in Philippines, the Great Wall China, Bangkok, Bali Indonesia, or Phuket in Thailand as well. Well, given the recent military coup in Thailand, http://www.economist.com/blogs/banyan/2014/05/military-coup-thailand , I took Thailand off map. Then considering David Sedaris' recent essay in "Let's Explore Diabetes With Owls" didn't lead me to think that China would be a peaceful retreat setting for exploration. And so, I went into Cambodia with a fresh outlook. Really, what did it was Holly a colleague here who RAVED about Siem Reap. So I leave on Saturday- fly from Tacloban to Manila, have a long layover (will try to keep all Kardashian reading to a minimum so I can catch up over layover) and then a 3 hour direct flight to Siem Reap. I will return to Manila on a 2AM flight Thursday, and arrive in Tacloban 6AM Friday morning ready for work at 8am. It will be brutal, but hopefully worth it :)

I saw this little blog and it seems to be a nice description of what's in store.

http://www.rustycompass.com/cambodia-travel-guide-37/siem-reap-6#.U4LJjfmSy2Z

http://www.rustycompass.com/gallery/siem-reap-essentials-77#.U4LJn_mSy2Z

 I plan on booking a hotel for the first night and then exploring the place to make sure I have the best spot on the block. There are loads of options. I was also advised to spend the money on a tour guide- as that way I will get all of the information instead of just gazing in awe :)

I hope you all had a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend! I got a massage yesterday and ate at "Uncle Sam's" an American themed restaurant. Not too shabby eh?