Pre Rup | Angkor Wat, Cambodia

Pre Rup, which means "turn the body", was probably my favorite temple in the Angkor Wat complex. It's not one of the popular temples and it's a little out of the way.  It was built in 961 or 962 and dedicated to the Hindu god, Shiva. When we visited, there weren't that many people. There were only a handful of tourists and even smaller amount of Khmer people trying to sell crafts. I think the main reason I liked Pre Rup was the because of the lack of people. Markus and I were able to explore freely. I hate feeling rushed when I'm traveling and I felt that at some of the other sites. Since there weren't heaps of people in the way, I was able to have a relaxing and enlightening experience.

Cambodian Countryside | Angkor Wat, Cambodia

On our second day in Siem Reap, we traveled out to Banteay Srei. The temple is on the outskirts of the Angkor Wat complex, so the journey there is a nice diversion. By tuk-tuk, it's about an hour and a half trip and passes through the Cambodian countryside. Even though we were sitting in a loud tuk-tuk, it was really peaceful. I remember I had my feet up and gazed out at the scenery. During that time, I thought to myself, "I can't believe that this is my life." If you asked me two years ago if I would ever travel to Cambodia, I would've said no. I started to think about the crazy adventure that Markus and I lived every day and felt very humbled and thankful that this was our life.

When we passed a rice field, MJ stopped so that we could get a closer look. I've always seen pictures of this sort of thing or in movies, but it was pretty cool seeing it in real life. There were only a few people out by the street and most of the other workers were farther out in the field. I do think that it was coincidental that there were people next to the road. I think that they do this sort of thing so that people will stop and the children can attack.
 

As soon we walked out of the tuk-tuk, there was a horde of Cambodian children asking us to buy crafts. They were really adorable, but they were also really persistent. This is one thing that you will endlessly encounter in some third world countries. It truly is heartbreaking seeing these young kids follow around tourists asking for money. Even though these kids did the same thing, they were a bit different. I think being in the countryside makes them a bit happier. After we spent a few minutes with the kids, we climbed back into the tuk-tuk. I again, propped my feet up and went back to enjoying the beautiful Cambodian countryside.

Korean Baseball Game | Lotte Giants vs Samsung Lions

I have to admit, I'm not a fan of baseball. I'm not really a sports person. When I was younger, I used to love sports. I would watch basketball and football games with my dad. On Sundays after church, we used to eat fried chicken in front of our TV and watch the Bucs demolish the other team. Once I started high school, I fell out of love with sports. Although, when it comes to going to actual sports events, I really enjoy them. I've been to a few baseball games back home and I've always had a great time. I always enjoy the atmosphere of baseball games more than the game itself. In Korea, baseball games are just as fun, but for other reasons.

Lotte Giants Thundersticks!

Drinking beer with straws. Keepin' it classy, Busan.

The baseball games in Korea are pretty awesome and they have to be experienced to fully understand. Every team has their die hard fans and they are serious about their passion for their beloved team. Although, unlike other countries, they are very respectful towards others fans and teams. There aren't any kind of riots or fights. Every team has their own specific cheers. Every chance they get, the fans can be heard chanting and encouraging their team. It's really amazing listening to a full stadium sing the same thing. One thing we didn't get to see up close were the cheerleaders. The home team has a stage with a team of cheerleaders and seriously intense hype man. We could only see their tiny little bodies jumping around. Hopefully, we'll be able to see them up close one day.

Towards the end of the game, they pass around bright orange bags for trash. Somehow, it became a tradition to wear it on top of your head like a hat. It's a bit strange, but this is quintessential Korea. It was pretty awesome seeing an entire stadium full of people wearing orange trash bags on their heads and cheering for their team. It was a great experience and a sight that I will never forget. I don't think I will ever enjoy another baseball game as much as I enjoyed this one.

Mark's Posh Birthday

Birthday boy!

A week ago today, my beloved Markus celebrated his 33rd birthday. I really can't believe that he's in his 30s. The boy really does look young. Once someone said to him, "Mark, I think that you drank from the Fountain of Youth." I really think he worked some kind of hoodoo because he does not look 33. Since Markus entered his 30s, he's preferred to have low key celebrations. Now that I'm also approaching my 30s I do too. Last year, Markus didn't get to do anything he wanted for his birthday, so I was determined to make all of his birthday wishes come true this year.

Posh Nosh

Darth Vader Art

Seared Tuna Salad

Gorgonzola Pizza

Lychee Martini and Mojito

So excited

Our first stop for Mark's Posh Birthday was the amazing Posh Nosh. Usually, I do all the research and look for restaurants, but this time, Markus found the place. When we walked in, I was so impressed. I think of all the restaurants we've been to, this is by far the classiest. I loved Posh Nosh and everything about it was great. The decor was really modern and artsy. The food was absolutely delicious, a little pricey, but worth it. We ate the Gorgonzola Pizza and Seared Tuna Salad. We've had Gorgonzola Pizza before and it's been average. We were both worried it would be mediocre, but it wasn't at all. It was really good and it only proves that quality means everything. Even though it's a simple pizza, the flavors of the cheese were strong. My favorite part of the meal was the drinks. I ordered a Lychee Martini and Markus ordered a Mojito. I usually hate martini's but this one was so good. It was sweet and had the subtle taste of lychees. Honestly, I would go back to Posh Nosh, just for the drinks.

It's your birthday, ru ru ra ra ru....

SKULL JOKE!

After we ate dinner, I gave Markus his personalized birthday card. As I've said before, we try to give each other personalized presents. Nothing too big, just something that the other person will like. This year, I started watching One Piece, as you probably noticed. Markus loves two characters, Sogeking or Usopp and Brooke. Each character on One Piece has signature sayings or jokes. So for Sogeking and Brooke, I used them for his birthday card. I think he really enjoyed it and I was so excited to make it for him, especially because I also watch the show.

Shinsekai "New World" and the One Piece Bar

Ace, I see you hottie.

Zoro, Luffy, Chopper, Rayleigh

Someone is really happy.

Mugiwara's

Yakitori

Grilled Rice Balls

After our delicious dinner at Posh Nosh, we headed to Sirohige, a bar that we saw a few weeks ago. As we walked the streets of Seomyeon, Markus immediately saw a bar that was decorated with One Piece figurines. We made a mental note and decided to come back for his birthday. Sirohige is a Japanese yakitori-style pub. Yakitori is basically a Japanese style of food where everything is put on sticks and grilled. We ordered our food and drinks and checked out all the One Piece figurines. We even played a game of naming all the characters. I know it sounds really juvenile and doesn't fit in with the definition of posh, but it was really fun. I love that Markus and I can do simple things but manage to always have fun. I think that's why I love being married to him. It really is the little things.

Face Cake

We decided to save dessert for home.  Markus was surprised at school by four of his students. They gave him heaps of presents, a poster with letters and this personalized birthday cake of his face. When he told me they got him a cake, I thought it was just one from the store, not one of his face. I couldn't believe it. I only made him a card, but these girls completely upstaged me. Despite being completely outdone by four elementary girls, I was really happy for Markus. I think that he always gets overlooked for his birthday and this year, it was really special. I just hope that he knows how important he is to me and even to his students!

Gimhae, South Korea

These photos were from a couple years ago, but I never had a chance to post them. Daehwan was the first Korean friend Markus and I made in Korea and because of that he will always be special. Through him, we made so many other great friends and we experienced the "real" Korea. One weekend in November, he invited Markus and I to go to his hometown, Gimhae. He wanted us to see where he grew up and experience something very special to him.

Hanok

Gimhae is about an hour outside of Busan by subway. When we arrived, Daehwan picked us up and took us toward the center of Gimhae. We walked toward the more historical area. Of course we saw a temple and even a hanok, which is a Korean traditional home. I've always wanted to stay in one. They're so beautiful and quintessentially Korean. We basically wandered around the city and Daehwan showed us his school and the places he used to play. I really enjoyed seeing where he grew up.

Toward the end of the day, we found a line of brass soldiers. Apparently, there was a fierce battle that was fought there. So we come across this lonely horse without a warrior. Daehwan said it would be awesome if I climbed it. I didn’t want to because I imagined myself falling over and cracking my skull open. It doesn’t look like it in the photos, but this thing was massive, like six feet high. Markus had to come over and push me up, from my bottom. That wasn’t embarrassing in front of Daehwan, or anything. I was quite frantic as I was up there and didn’t know what to do.

After, I was finished Markus hopped on as well and he really owned it. That horse was HIS horse. He was like an ancient warrior. We told Daehwan to jump on, but he refused. He said, “You’re foreigner. I know people here.” As we walked down the rest of the way, there was a sign in Korean that said, “Don’t Climb Statues” and a baby horse with a stand that you could climb on for pictures. We couldn’t stop laughing and we were glad there were no people around. I’m happy that I conquered the big horse and not the lame baby horse.

Most people don't like Gimhae because it's doesn't have any special attractions and it's a small town. For me, it's one of my favorite cities in Korea. I think it's because of the memories that we made there, but Gimhae will always be special to me because it's the home of my first Korean friend Daehwan.