Day 3 : My Indian Jones kinda of adventure in Beng Mealea, Siam Reap, Cambodia

I am going to blog about my Cambodia 3rd day where we are going to Beng Mealea . And according to Tripadvisor's comments, we gotta be ready to be like Indian Jones to visit this ruined temple because this temple is in original condition and there is almost no restoration work at all.

Breakfast before departing for our long journey!

Hotel Food : The pork noodle soup is very tasty . And I do like the taste of Cambodian pork, seems to me more sweet and chewy!

Bacon was really good too, even though this is a hotel food! I extra ordered this for USD 2!

Speaking of Beng Mealea, it is a temple in the Angkor Wat style located 40 km east of the main group of temples at Angkor, Cambodia, on the ancient royal highway to Preah Khan Kompong Svay. We took a tuk tuk there and lucky for us it was a cloudy day!

I would suggest next time anyone who plan to go there, try to get an air-condition car/van because it is a long journey on red soil road about 1.5hour-2hour from Siam Reap town. So you must wear a surgical mask & not to wear white shirt if you intend to take the tuk tuk!

Along the way we saw cows carrying carts, just like how we usually see in movie !

It's dry season when we visited there, so we can see both sides of our road don't have much plantation and grass almost dyinng. And I can't help to wonder what are the cows eating ?

From Siam Reap town to Beng Mealea, we passed by small villages where the kids run around playing without their shoes during school hours . So I think these kids are poor and can'f afford to go to school. And they got kinda excited when they saw us passing by and waves to us, and of course we waves back happily like Miss Universe.

Moat surrounding the Beng Mealea temple ! There are so many lotus flower! What a beautiful sight!

This is the entrance to the Beng Mealea. We walked around 10 mins before we actually reached the Beng Mealea temple. Beng Mealea is actually older than Angkor Wat and was originally going to be the main temple until the king changed the site.

I forgot to mention that this Beng Mealea temple is not included in our 3 days Angkor Wat pass and we need to pay USD5 for an entrance fee at a ticket booth located about half a mile from the temple itself.

Beng Mealea temple is situated in the middle of the jungle and when we saw the entrance we are shocked because it is ruined and we could not enter from there. As I mentioned earlier, this temple is left to ruin from and hence this is an original condition.

A little background about Beng Mealea on Wikipedia :

Beng Mealea was built as a Hindu temple, but there are some carvings depicting buddhist motifs. Its primary material is sandstone and it is largely unrestored, with trees and thick brush thriving amidst its towers and courtyards and many of its stones lying in great heaps.

The history of the temple is unknown and it can be dated only by its architectural style, identical to Angkor Wat, so scholars assumed it was built during the reign of king Suryavarman II in the early 12th century. Smaller in size than Angkor Wat, the king's main monument, Beng Mealea nonetheless ranks among the Khmer empire's larger temples: the gallery which forms the outer enclosure of the temple is 181 m by 152 m.It was the center of a town, surrounded by a moat 1025 m by 875 m large and 45 m wide.

TThis ia an alternative route is located on the right built for the tourist to visit the temple

I read from wikipedia that we shouldfollow the wooden bridge to visit the whole temple for safely reason.

Note : There is a temple on the left of the picture.

Remember just now I mentioned there is a temple on the left in my previous picture? I am going in!

Somehow I was adventurous that day after seeing some people coming out from another alternative road. So I told my friends, let's try this and see..

This is the entrance of the temple. And this is what we gonna do, CLIMB IN and SEE!

Oklah, we did have a security guy there who suddenly appeared and followed us around..

Ellis , Tia and me

Inside the temple,all the walls fell off and basically we need to climb on these sandstone to go around the temple. It was very adventurous, felt like Indian Jones going for treasure hunt! It is not easy and DANGEROUS!

Let's our adventure in exploring Beng Mealea begins!

One of the main reason why the walls fell off is because of the overgrown trees which was not taken care off. I was told by the guide it is because Beng Mealea located too far from the city and not easily accessible hence it became abandon.

Guide telling us history of this place and best spot for pictures.




Looking through the window,there are some craving on stone which are still in good condition.

Guide told us this is a good spot for picture and of course I climbed out to take a picture on the branch that looked like a swing!

I felt like a jungle princess here! Sitting on a swing ~

Guide waited for me, because I was busy taking pictures and he told me careful because just recently someone dropped their camera on the hole between the stones!

Do you see the trees growing up there ?


Yes the trees is living on the roofs and walls are being grasped by tree roots and branches!

So much climbing to do!

You guys must be thinking so happily posing there ah, actually it was quite dangerous because one mistake I might fall down!

This is an important carving where it shows the Churning of the Sea of Milk and Vishnu being borne by the bird god Garuda and the story of Amrita (water of immortality)

Each cravings has a story behind or represent something.

It is amazing to see how people at 12th century can actually carve such a beautiful & complex piece without much tools!

The view of the ruin temple from the top.

There are cravings on the walls too.

I was trying hard to figure what is it. At first I thought some kind of fish head or something, but later guide told us it is lotus and in fact the name of Beng Mealea comes from lotus in Khmer (Cambodian language). Beng Mealea (Khmer: ប្រាសាទបឹងមាលា, its name means "lotus pond"^[1]) . Hence this explains why the moat surrounding the temple was full of lilies !

Last but not least, a picture with the super GIANT tree & root! Do you see the big root on the left! And I am really glad that I visited this temple because it is very adventurous and interesting!

p/s: At the end of the tour, we paid USD5 to the guard at our own will for his service :)

I would suggest to people who are coming Cambodia to visit this Beng Mealea Temple IF you have the time, because this temple is quite far from the city and need like more than half day including travelling time. And the good thing is it is not overcrowded and you can take your time visiting this place at your pace. It is interesting & adventurous to climb in myself to see how this temple built in the middle of the jungle and became ruin because of the overgrown trees and how the people in 12th century managed to build all this without any high tech machinery!

Hope you guys find my post useful for your coming Cambodia's trip!


Click HERE to read more about my Siam Reap,Cambodia trip!

Review : Now you see it, now you don't with Vanish Power O2.

 Have you tried Vanish before?

Vanish Power O2 is designed to remove even tough dried in stains. Ensuring that you are left with stain free laundry everything you used it!

There are basically 2 types as you can see from the picture:-

 

Left : White bottle is Vanish Power O2 Crystal White Powder (fabric stain remover + whitening effect - for white colour clothing)

Right : Pink bottle on the right is Vanish Power O2 Powder (fabric stain remover for all colours clothing)

I got to admit I am a pretty clumsy person and often split food on my clothes unknowingly too hungry maybe. And sometimes I got to toss my favourite clothes away when I could not remove the stains after several times...it's very sad especially if that is my limited edition dress I bought from overseas!

So let's put this Vanish Power O2 into test and see if it really VANISH the stains! 

Vanish Power O2 Crystal White Powder (RM13.80/500g) works to remove stains and keep your whites as white as possible. The special formula contains Oxi Powerlift agents which penetrate and lift the stain first time, and also whitening ingredients to help retain a brilliant whiteness in your washing. Add a scoop of this powder to your wash load to see great results.

You know that our white colour clothes will usually turns in pale yellow  ( after many many many rounds of washing and can feel the fabric thinning when I was using other whitening detergent brand... so this Vanish Power O2 Crystal White does not just removes stain but it also helps to maintain the "whiteness" of clothes.

 So it's pure coincidence that I have my white cardigan stained! Told you I'm a clumsy person...

 Actually I do not know where & when I got the stain from but I guess from food...maybe soy sauce or something! Also this cardigan which I bought from China has actually looked a bit old (the white colour turns yellowish) after many round of washing ...

Let me see if Vanish Power O2 Crystal White Powder works!

 Direction to use

Washing Machine:

1. For tougher and dried-in stains, add 1 scoop to your normal detergent in the washing machine drawer.    
2. For normal stains, add 1/2 a scoop.     
3. Wash as usual. You can get great results even at 30 degrees.   

 Soaking: (For tough & dried stains) -  Can use to remove blood & red wine stains too!

1. Fully dissolve 1 scoop in 4 litres of warm water (max 40 °C). 
2. For normal stains use 1/2 a scoop.     
3. For the best results, soak for 6 hours.     
4. After soaking, wash as usual or rinse thoroughly.     
5. For best results on tough stains, rub before rinsing.  

As I do not know what kinda of stain is mine, I use 1 scoop and soak it for 6 hours according to the instruction above. 

Important Note : Always follow the usage instructions on the Vanish packaging. Also Do not use on wool, silk or leather. Do not use on finished or coated surfaces - for example wood, metals etc.

 After soaking, I just rinse off with water and I did not even wash it using brush or washing machine before air dry it.

WOW, the stains really VANISHED into the air & was happy to find the scent was quite pleasing compare to other whitening detergent brand.... I did not even use softener here!


Tips for stain removal tip for clothes: Don't let the stain dry! The longer the stain stays in the fabric, the harder it will be to remove. 

Not only that, I was really happy to see that my white cardigan looked brighter & whiter after wash!!! To me it looks like NEW and I was super impressive with this one and start recommending to my sister & friends!

Verdict :  Vanish Power O2 Crystal White Powder pass with flying colour and I can now testify that it works! And definitely I would repurchase this to use!

Vanish Power O2 Powder (RM13.80/500g) contains Oxi Powerlift which removes all types of stains, from the ones you can clearly see to the tougher ones that may be hidden. Vanish Power O2 Powder is safe to use on both coloured and white clothing.

Honestly I have used many fabric stain remover on my coloured cloth and often the stains is removed but the colour faded after washing...so I have been searching for VERY LONG was searching for fabric stain remover that not only removes stains but maintain the colour in my clothes.

So I found my doggie toy when I was cleaning the house! This was given by my boyfriend on our 1st date 8 years ago.... and I always wonder why he gave me a doggie toy and not a bear ? Hahaha.. I think because both of us are dog lover!

Poor little doggie , looked really dirty cos I think I have chucked it somewhere when I was moving my stuffs , so now Mama going to give you a good shower with Vanish Power O2 Powder!

And my doggie looked really handsome now after I soak for an hour & rinse off!

Well some of you might be wondering, my doggie toy don't have any really tough stains to remove some more right... well I just want to prove, by soaking those normal stains will come off by itself even without brushing it! You know soft toy like this, cannot throw into washing machine ... because it would ruins the shape and the fur might fall off.

Anyway I upgrade my test level and see if Vanish Power O2 Powder can pass my exams or not!

Lipstick stain using one of my Clinique lipstick!!!!
 
This is one very common stains that one will get right, especially for man?  

I went overboard in drawing as I was telling myself... Vanish show me your power....LOL!

Direction to use

Washing Machine: For tough and dried stains: 

1. Add one scoop of Vanish to your laundry detergent in the washing machine drawer and wash as usual.     
2. For normal stains add 1/2 a scoop.     
3. Wash as usual. Get great results also at 30 degrees.  

Soaking: For tough and dried stains: 

1. Fully dissolve 1 scoop of the Vanish Power O2 Powder into 4 litres of warm water (max 40 °C) and leave it to soak. 
2. For lighter stains, you can use 1/2 a scoop.     
3. Colour: leave to soak for a maximum of 1 hour.     
4. Whites: leave to soak for a maximum of 6 hours.     
5. After soaking, wash as usual or rinse thoroughly.     
6. For best results on tough stains, rub the stains out of the clothes before rinsing.

For this lipstick stain, I have to rub the stains out of the clothes before rinsing before it was really a tough stain to remove!!!

My Verdict : Vanish Power O2 Powder also pass with flying colour! It did vanish the tough stains make the colour of my shirt stays!

So your turn to try & tell me your verdict lah... especially you can now request for a sample from FREE... delivered to your doorstep somemore!

 Visit http://bit.ly/1aIkd2I to do a quick registration for the free Vanish Power O2 sampling and click submit!

 Also, there are is a competition going on simply by uploading a pic/video to show your secret in removing stains with Vanish!

Looking at the awesome prizes, I am going to join and if you all don't want join, nvm I'm going to bring home all the prizes.. HAHAHA... jk! Good luck everyone!

Vanish Power O2 Crystal White Powder and Vanish Power O2 Powder both selling at RM13.80 at major supermarket or hypermarket.

So now you see it , now you don't with Vanish Power O2!

 Have you tried this before?

Visit http://bit.ly/1aIkd2I for more information!

Anyone can have an office with NOMAD office!

 

 Have you heard of NOMAD OFFICE before ?

The Nomad Offices is a provider of serviced offices, shared office space, hot desks, virtual office, meeting rooms and video conference facilities.  Clients of The Nomad Offices enjoy the freedom of working in a professional environment without being tied down to a long-term leasing contract. All The Nomad Offices are located in Central Business Districts with convenient access to public transportation and commercial areas. 

Well I was invited for a little tour at Nomad Office in Solaris Mont Kiara!I was told Nomas office is a business centre that is usually located in prime locations, offering convenience from accessibility to amenities and prestigious business addresses. Which means you basically can rent a small office from a room with 1 table to 5 tables with full facilities like an office.

I would think this would be a great place for young entrepreneur who need a FULL FURNISHED OFFICE with all facilities to start up his business, where he needs a small working space to do his work & meet his clients etc! It is also good for overseas company that need a small office for a few months to finish off their project or business here. This is definitely a cheaper option rather than renting an empty office, buying furniture, hiring receptionist and etc.

Let me show you what is NOMAD OFFICE!

 

 The entrance of the Nomad Office is pretty standard and looked like any other office out there, very professional!

 The beauty of this business centre is everyone would have a FREE Receptionist Service. each room has their own general number & extension number too. When a client calls in, the calls would be transfered to an automated telephony system where the receptionist would then picked up & greet the call with the company name before transferring to the respected rooms (i.e company).

 There are a total of 34 rooms and there are 6 types of room ( room from 1 tables to maximum 5 tables & a hot desk area too)

What is hot desk ? Well keep reading ! 

Each room are installed with access card system and it is very secure & provide sense of privacy which all office needed! With the card, you are allowed to enter the room anytime you wanted!

 The biggest room is with 5 tables comes with full facilities (telephone lines &  internet lines of 20mb). This is perfect for a small company because the boss can has his own room too!

Hot desks to cater to Gen-Y entrepreneurs and freelancers. The new business centre is also an ideal alternative to working in cafes and ‘kopitiams’ for mobile professionals. You know how noisy is cyber cafe & kopitiam and there is no privacy there lah.. So this Hot desk is a professional working desk where you can rent for an hour/ half day or full day.

 There are 2 photocopy station and it is pay per service. Well very easy, just bring in the laptop & you can start to do your proposal & print out here! 

The pantry is one of the most important area in an office.

 

Coffee anyone?  Everyone needs coffee boost after a whole day of working! Ah the pantry comes with coffee machine, water dispenser, microwave & fridge. SUPER AWESOME, cos my ex company also don't have so much facilities !

Got play station area also! Fuiyoh can take a break & play a game or two!

 Rent per hour or per day, its up to you! Its customised according to your needs.

 I do like the concept of Nomad office because it is customised to our needs & its pretty cheap in my opinion if I would need a proper office to start of business. The starting price is RM699/person for a month...for a fully furnished office and customised according to our needs! Well really affordable for a posh office in a prime location, it can at least impress your client or business partner!

Besides nomad office, they also have virtual office facilities to cater to your need too! Currently across Southeast Asia, there are currently 13 Nomad Offices in Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Ho Chi Minh City, Jakarta, Bangkok and Manila. 

To find out more about The Nomad Offices @ Mont Kiara, please call 03 2775 2822 or go to www.thenomadoffices.com. 

Beware: Kanebo Cosmetics Japan recalls 54 skincare products (17 products affected in Malaysia) after customers complained white patches on their skin after using the products!

One of the biggest news in the last few days is that Kanebo Cosmetics Japan recalls 54 skin whitening products from all over Asia after complaints they caused discolouring that does not clear up even after use was discontinued.

I read that those Kanebo products that being recalled contain e quasi-drug ingredient rhododenol 4-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-butanol (in short it's called 4HPB), which is contained in products manufactured by Kanebo and its affiliates Lissage and E’quipe, reported the appearance of white blotches on their skin. All of the brightening products in question contained rhododenol. Kanebo said they have received 39 complaints from customers in Japan. Of those, 15 had shown no improvement in their conditions even after they stopped using the products. 

Despite the recent finding, the ingredient has been approved by Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare in accordance with the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act. It had also passed “extensive safety tests”, according to Kanebo, although the company decided to voluntarily recall all of its products containing the ingredient due to the possibility of other customers experiencing the same side effects. 

 Masum Natsusaka, the President of Japan's cosmetics maker Kanebo, and other executives bow to apologise in Tokyo to the public. 

Kanebo should be given credit for openly apologizing and voluntarily recalling all the products that has the said 4HPB ingredient because this move would definitely affected their image and business in the future. It is not an easy step for a cosmetic company like Kanebo to recall products when they have actually shipped a total of 4.36 million products in Japan and 370,000 items out to overseas. Besides Japan, there are 10 Asian countries which are affected which includes Malaysia, Taiwan, Hong Kong, South Korea, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, Myanmar, the Philippines and Vietnam. And Taiwan is the largest overseas market for the Kanebo products.

Out of the 54 products recalled in Japan, only 17 products are that are sold in Malaysia and being recalled are:-

Kanebo Blanchir Superior

(1) White Deep Clear Conditioner I 

(2) White Deep Clear Conditioner II 

(3) White Deep Clear Conditioner III 

(4) White Deep Milky Conditioner I 

(5) White Deep Milky Conditioner II 

(6) White Deep Night Conditioner I 

(7) White Deep Night Conditioner II 

(8) White Deep Mask 

(9) White Deep UV Day Protector 

 (not all products shown in the picture are affected)

Impress IC range

(1) Impress IC White Lotion I 

(2) IC White Lotion II 

(3) IC White Emulsion I 

(4) IC White Emulsion II

 (not all products shown in the picture are affected)

Also the Impress Granmula Lotion which I reviewed before! OMG.. lucky that time I did not develop white patches on my skin!

 RMK Skincare

(1) Skintuner Brightening Light 

(2) Skintuner Brightening Moist 

(3) Intensive Brightening Essence

  

At the moment,  Kanebo Malaysia has only make an announcement via their facebook page here only and not through any printed media.  They mentioned that to those customers who have bought those affected skincare, they are encourage to visit the Kanebo counter where they purchased the products, and not sure if there is a refund or products or anything. 

Honestly I am still in shock because I have tried most of the Kanebo & RMK skincare products and I am lucky that I did not develop any white patches on my face when I tried them. It is no secret that I am a big fan of their facial and in fact I still have Impress facial with them! I'm concern what about facial customers like myself as those products are being used during facial and waiting reply from them about the next step of action.

If any of you (your family or friends) are using the above mentioned products, it is advised to stop using them immediately! You can bring back the products (even without receipts) back to the counters that you have purchased to see what they can do.

For more information, you can contact Kanebo Cosmetics Malaysia Sdn. Bhd.

Tel : +603-79549170
Fax : +603-79549172
Email : info@kanebocos.com.my

 Note : Above information are extracted from http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asiapacific/japan-s-kanebo-recalls/734174.html and http://www.cosmeticsbusiness.com/news/article_page/Kanebo_issues_product_recall/89724