AsiaLIFE Cambodia May 2017

052017 ISSUE125

#LightUpKH Siem Reap: Angkor Sankranta & Pop-up Cinema.

C

ellcard hosted yet another pop up event under the umbrella of its new #LightUpKH campaign, specially designed as a new and fresh approach to Cambodia’s youth segment. As part of the famous Angkor Sankran festival that welcomes in the Khmer New Year, Cellcard hosted the #LightUpKH Pop Up Cinema on 14 April in Siem Reap with the movie My Junior, My Crush – a story about young love and how it conquers all, starring Sok Somavortey, Yim Nara, Mr. Kreun, Mr. Cheum, Mr. Chekky and Katu.

Included in the event was the launch of an extended range of the Osja Xchange offer starting at 10c=$1, a special appearance and concert from Susana, as well as fun and easy contests to win some great prizes.

A handful of Cellcard Facebook Fans, as well as Cellcard’s newly introduced Youth Ambassadors joined the #LightUpKH Pop Up Cinema and the KNY festivities in Siem Reap.

Cellcard is also a sponsor of the Angkor Sangkran event, which is an annual celebration and traditional welcoming of the Khmer New Year, adding a dash of youthful blitz with its #LightUpKh Parade.

note from the editor AsiaLIFE Group

Marissa Carruthers Listening to some of the daily abuse and discrimination Cambodia’s LGBTI population faces was hard. Rape, forced marriage, police harassment, violence and rejection by their families are just a few of the battles thrown at the community across the country, not just in the provinces.

Learning more about the tireless work carried out by organisations, largely made up of young volunteers, to change these attitudes and educate others, was inspiring. And it is this work that is undoubtedly changing perceptions and helping to fight for equality for this marginalised segment of society.

This year sees the annual Cambodia LGBT Pride land in the country, with a series of events planned between May 17 and 22. While the usual pool parties, club nights, tuk tuk race and other fun activities will take over Phnom Penh, the week-event carries a more important symbolic message.

It is a time when the community can celebrate who they are, free from prejudice. It’s a time to raise awareness of the struggles and suffering, and to highlight the work being carried out to stamp out injustice. It is, of course, also a time to have fun and party, with Phnom Penh transforming into a sea of celebratory colour. So make sure you don’t miss out.

Elsewhere, Jessica Tana visits Cambodia’s first Camboo Festival, which celebrates the diversity of bamboo. Touted as a sustainable and flexible material, bamboo was celebrated in all forms, with innovative designs showcased throughout the event.

We also relay a badass trek to the Laotian border, which takes in some of Cambodia’s finest remaining jungle, nature and tribes. And we dish out some top tips for the next round of leavers on how to take as much of the stress out of your departure as possible.

As usual, we have plenty of food reviews, fashion, news and titbits to keep you going through May.

Group Editor-in-Chief / Director Cambodia: Mark Bibby Jackson bibbyjackson@icloud.com

Group Director Sales & Marketing / Director Vietnam: Jonny Edbrooke jonny@asialife.asia

Managing Editor Cambodia: Marissa Carruthers marissa@asialife.asia maris.carruthers@gmail.com

Director Thailand: Nattamon Limthanachai (Oh) oh@asialife.asia

Contributing Writers: Erin Hale Jessica Tana Greg McCann

Art Director Cambodia: Thang Pham L.C. leo@asialifemagazine.com Photographers: Enric Català & Lucas Veuve & Lim Sokchanlina

Siem Reap: Sarah Brown Accountants / Distribution: Seang Seiha 012 887 118 Distribution: Son Veasna 096 222 7231

Sales Director: Jonathan Baxter 010 561 502 Accountant: Sorn Rathana

Printing: Sun Heang Printing House

Special thanks to: Darren Gall, Paul Dodd, Pet Grooming Cambodia, Ryan Drewe Taylor and Cambodian Living Arts for their contribution.

052017 ISSUE125

On the Cover Design & Art Direction: Thang Pham L.C. AsiaLIFE is a registered trademark.

No content may be reproduced in any form without prior authorisation of the owners. © 360º Media.

AsiaLIFE Media Vol. 110

| MAY 2017

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052017 ISSUE125

front

08 Events 11 Trending

getaway

44 Long Son: Beach Resort 46 Health & Wellness: Grinding Your Teeth

food

48 The Exchange Restaurant & Bar

12 Openings 14 News 18 Top 5 22 Day In The Life

49 Cloud 9 50 Taste Of The Middle East

24 Photo Essay

51 Sundown Social Club

28 Q&A: Lomorpich Rithy

on the cover

30 Phnom Penh Pride

storyboard

36 Leaving Cambodia 38 Indochina's Badass Trek

style & design

52 Smallest Details

back

58 Listings

40 On the Night Joey Ramone

54 Fashion

78 Map 86 Pub Quiz

Died 42 Building With Bamboo

24 6 AsiaLIFE Cambodia

30 38

42

AsiaLIFE Cambodia 7

EVENTS Young Climbers 3 @Phnom Penh Climb The classes – two per week – will introduce students to the fun of climbing, through games and activities. With a climbing guide, youngsters learn the basics of safety, how to follow routes and identify holds, how to use a harness, and how to tie a figure-8 knot.

Classes are led by kid-friendly and experienced climbers.

The climbing instructors will take the children out on an optional one-day climbing trip during the programme.

For information, contact welcome@phnompenhclimb. com or 017 897 105.

1 MAY 18 JUN

Malongo de Janeiro @Bistrot de l’Institut Français Malongo coffee will warm you up with a unique Brazilian evening at Le Bistrot de l’Institut Français in partnership with Malongo.

The Bistrot team has a lot in store: cocktails, capoeira and DJ set are all on the menu. The well-toned ABADÁ-Capoeira band (Brazilian Association of development and Support of the Art of Capoeira), as well as the «Afrobeat/Tropical House» DJ set of Watt’s Up will turn up the volume and the heat. 7pm.

5 MAY

8 AsiaLIFE Cambodia

rooftop.lounge w i n e c o c k t a i l b e e r e a t e r y

r iver s id e & s t reet 15 4 087 600 768 | 087 600 856 fb.com/lemoonphnompenh lemoon@amanjaya-pancam-hotel.com

Flower by Neak Sophal @Java Café Flower subtly challenges the well-established notions of feminine identity in Cambodian society. Neak Sophal, takes, as a starting point, local expressions and romantic songs of the 1960s that compare women to a flower or white paper – implying purity, beauty and fragility. Sophal creates portraits that confront the traditional notions of beauty and femininity, instead asserting that a woman can be appreciated, and respected, just as she is. Exhibition opens at 6.30pm on May 9.

9 MAY 25 JUN

Channthy Cha-Cha @Bistrot de l’Institut Français

13 MAY

Channthy Cha-Cha is an exciting new band from the voice of the Cambodian Space Project. Channthy brings a hot new act to the stage, featuring a group of cracking young professional Khmer musicians – and a token barang – to play old favourites, new numbers and great Cambodian dance music. Power without the bombast, style with substance: the charisma and energy of Channthy shines through. 7.30pm.

AsiaLIFE Cambodia 9

20 MAY The Amazingly Fabulous Pride Tuk-Tuk Race @throughout Phnom Penh A popular part of the annual Pride event, the Tuk Tuk Race is a scavenger hunt, where teams of four or five people solve clues, hunt for hidden locations and landmarks throughout Phnom Penh, and compete to earn the most points throughout the course. There are also lots of opportunities to win prizes throughout the race. Locations will include popular Phnom Penh attractions, such as bars, restaurants and more. 3pm.

For information or to register, email pridetuktuk@gmail.com.

Cool Down @71 Pool Party

21 MAY

Rambutan resort joins venues with A&P to host the finishing party for Phnom Penh’s Pride 2017. There will be swimming, drinking, music, sauna, dinner and more. A great wind down to see out this year’s Pride festival.

1958, The Greatest Year in Rock'n'Roll History! @Farm to Table

26 MAY

fusion tapas

Scott Bywater and Joe Wrigley perform a very special Acoustic Friday session, with all-time classics by Buddy Holly, The Everly Brothers, Chuck Berry and other songs released during that most vintage of rock’n’roll years: 1958. Join Scoddy and Joe as they delve into the treasure-trove of rock’n’roll history, recreating the harmony and the twang of a very special year.

6.30pm to 8.30pm.

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10 AsiaLIFE Cambodia

10 YEARS...

AND BEYOND.

Sensitive Beast Scientists claim that despite the carnivorous Tyrannosaurus rex’s fearsome persona, it may also have had a sensitive side as a lover. Experts say the 20ft T-rex had an extremely sensitive snout, which could mean that males and females enjoyed rubbing their faces together while mating. Writing in the Scientific Reports journal, US researchers wrote: "In courtship, tyrannosaurids might have rubbed their sensitive faces together as a vital part of precopulatory play." It comes after the discovery of an earlier relative of the T-rex – the Daspletosaurus horneri (Horner's frightful lizard), which lived 74 million years ago – in the US state of Montana.

Friends Reunited

Fans of Friends, the smash hit 1990s American comedy TV show, are in for a treat as Friends! The Musical looks set to hit the stage, 13 years after the series came to an end. The musical is the latest production by Off-Broadway composers Bob and Tobly McSmith, and focuses on the lives of the six iconic characters as they "navigate the pitfalls of work, life and love in 1990s Manhattan". Dubbed a parody, the play will feature original songs with titles referencing key moments in the 10 season-long series, including ‘The Ballad of Fat Monica’ and ‘We Were on A Break’. Other plays directed by the McSmiths include Saved by The Bell, Full House and Katdashians! The Musical.

Shoelace Riddle The great life mystery of why shoelaces come undone has been solved. A recent study by engineering experts at California’s University of Berkley revealed two forces act like invisible fingers to loosen the knot and tug at it until they come undone.

Using a slow-motion camera, they filmed someone running on a treadmill. They found the running foot exerts a force seven times greater when landing on the ground than the one exerted while standing, forcing the knot to stretch and relax, loosening it slightly. As the knot loosens, the swinging of the laces that occurs causes an inertial force to be applied on the free ends of the laces, pulling the already-loosened knot apart.

“Mowgli Girl” Discovered

A child found living with monkeys in a forest in India has been dubbed "Mowgli girl" after the character in the Jungle Book. The youngster was unable to speak, behaved like an animal and ran on all fours.

Doctors treating her said she ate food from the floor without using her hands. The girl, believed to be aged between 10 and 12, was naked and looked comfortable roaming with the primates when she was discovered by tree surgeons in the Katarniya Ghat forest range. When they attempted to rescue her, they were chased by monkeys. A policeman was called and eventually managed to take her away despite also being attacked by the animals.

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AsiaLIFE Cambodia 11

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OPenings KNAIBANGCHATT.COM

LACOSTE SPORTY STYLE High-end French clothing company Lacoste has opened a boutique store in Phnom Penh’s Vattanac Capital Mall. The 90sqm store’s architecture is a mixture of form and function, interplay of light and spaces, creating an elegant and sportinspired spirit. Renowned for its stylish sportswear style, the brand was launched in 1933 by tennis player René Lacoste and André Gillier, selling clothes, footwear, perfume, leather goods, watches, eyewear and its iconic polo shirts. The Cambodia store forms part of Lacoste’s mission to strengthen and expand its presence across Asia. With this new boutique in Cambodia, the brand has the opportunity to present its unique and original lifestyle for women, men and children.

Level 1 Vattanac Capital Mall, 66 Monivong Boulevard, Phnom Penh.

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12 AsiaLIFE Cambodia

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AsiaLIFE Cambodia 13

news

MAY BY KATE 2017 BURBIDGE

Cambodian Contemporary Artists Break into US Art Scene

CAMBODIA’S creativity is set to be showcased to the world as a series of artistsfrom the Kingdom gear up to show their work in the US. In Greenwich Library, Connecticut, a significant exhibition for contemporary Cambodian art has taken shape. The exhibition is the result of a collaboration between Dana Langlois, of JavaArts, and Debra Fram and Barbara Richards, of Flinn Gallery in Greenwich.

Following hot on the heels of last month’s exhibition of Cambodian artists in Washington, this is further proof that Cambodian art is beginning to make a significant mark on the global art scene.

Cambodia: Looking Back on the Future Asia Life(Ex).pdf 1 4/21/17 11:41 takes a deeper look at contemporary art in Cambodia, the subtleties and complexities

14 AsiaLIFE Cambodia

that characterise a fluid present moving between past and future, exploring notions of time, identity and history.

Central to all the works selected for the exhibition is the human figure. From the personal narratives of the artists, the figure emerges, forming a thread that ties together the complexities of personal histories, social issues, identity, displacement and memory.

The figure, as in traditional art forms, is an important device for many artists to present their personal narratives, expressing their significance and meaning in the context of larger historical events.

The exhibition represents the largest known presentation of artwork by Cambodian visual artists in the US. AM It includes work by 11 contemporary Cambodian artists: Anida Yoeu Ali, Chath

Persath, Chov Theanly, Heng Ravuth, Kong Vollak, Leang Seckon, Lim Muy Theam, Marine Ky, Neak Sophal, Oeur Sokuntevy and Yim Maline.

Cambodia: Looking Back on the Future presents a variety of mediums, including painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture, installation and video/ performance.

During the exhibition, the gallery will present several public programmes, including film screenings, and talks and performances that will expand on topics important to the understanding and appreciating contemporary art in Cambodia today.

Cambodia: Looking Back on the Future runs from May 4 until Jun. 14.

InterContinental’s Mother’s Day Delight

HOT on the heels of celebrating its 20th anniversary, InterContinental Phnom Penh has another special event up its sleeve to make Mother’s Day truly special for all mums.

On Sunday May 14, the hotel’s Regency Café and Lobby Lounge and Bar is putting on an indulgent brunch for children to treat their mother to.

Forget the traditional chocolates and flowers, and spoil mum instead with a day spent with her loved ones, dining in luxury. InterContinental Phnom Penh has taken exceptional care to craft a menu of culinary delights that tickle every taste bud and curb every craving.

The brunch starts at 11am, and costs $32, plus taxes.

May is a busy month at the hotel,

Economic Slowdown Predicted

which is hosting a series of other events to inject some fun into the month of May. On May 1, the Lobby Lounge and Bar will be alive with the sound of classical music for its Music Meets High Tea event, from 3pm to 6pm ($15).

On May 8, the popular monthly wine and cheese evening sees a delectable range of international cheeses fused with live music and French wines, from 6.30pm to 9pm ($35/40).

Every Saturday and Sunday throughout May, visitors can tuck into the delicious dim sum brunch at Xiang Palace ($18.80). And from Monday to Friday, diners can dig into the business set lunch.

For more information, visit ic-phnompenh.com.

Mixed Fortunes for Year of the Rooster

THE World Bank has forecast a slight drop in Cambodia’s economic growth rate by 2019, amid declining foreign investment, rising inflation and a slowdown in garments manufacturing expansion. It advised improvements to infrastructure and training to keep the economy on its current strong course, of about seven percent.

DIFFERING fortunes have been prophesied in the Moha Songkran almanac. It predicts heavy flooding, the onset of war and the loss of half of Cambodia’s rice fields due to ravenous insects. However, it shows New Year angel Kemera Devi, bringing hopes for a bounty of bananas and peaceful political dialogue.

Cashless Cambodia Further Off

3D Hope for Prosthetic Production

DESPITE predictions of a cashless society within 10 years and a growing field of apps, experts say Cambodia must overcome challenges before digital payment systems become sustainable. The lack of e-commerce law, coupled with the tiny Cambodian market, could prove a hindrance, and need to be developed.

3D-printing company ARC Hub has teamed up with Victoria Hand Project, a Canadian prosthetics non-governmental organisation, to create 3D-printed artificial hands for Cambodian victims of land mine explosions. This partnership is transforming the lives of land mine victims who have lost limbs by 3D-printed prostheses.

the Italian Egg, tomato and pesto tucked inside a fresh, handmade croissant

Joma Toul Tom Pong St. 456 & 155 Joma Norodom (BKK1) Norodom Blvd & St. 294 Joma Toul Kork Corner of St. 337 & 528

OUT & ABOUT Cheese and wine was the order of the month in May, as a wine-tasting session with a twist and an international master of cheese lands in the capital.

Cheese Expert Shares his Knowledge

Dubbed the cheese ambassador, Frenchman Xavier Thuret landed in Phnom Penh recently to share his love of cheese and nurture its popularity in the Kingdom at a six-course, cheese-influenced feast at Topaz restaurant.

The scent of cheese wafts around the room as Xavier Thuret reveals his reasons for visiting Cambodia.

The first is to put on a delicious six-course, cheese-inspired dinner at the capital’s Topaz restaurant. The second is to champion the food and boost its popularity throughout the Kingdom.

“We hope to strengthen the knowledge of cheese in Cambodia,” says Thuret, who works for Groupe Lactalis, of famous cheese brands, such as President, Galbani and

Lactel. “Here you already have access to high-end cheese, but one of our objectives is to make it accessible to more people.

To make cheese accessible to a bigger audience.” Renowned for blending his passion for and knowledge of this versatile product with a sense of fun and creativity, Thuret experiments with the endless possibilities that cheese offers.

For example, who could imagine that Roquefort is even better when spread on a halved banana and sprinkled with Speculoos?

As wine’s popularity rises in the Kingdom, Thuret predicts the cheese trend will follow suit, with the ingredient also pairing well with whisky – a favoured tipple among Cambodians. “Whisky is very aromatic,” he says. “You have woody, you have smoky, you have salty, you have a very large palette of aromatic flavours. Whisky is complex so it works with cheese very well.”

Cambodia’s hot climate doesn’t work well with cheese, warns Thuret. While the product thrives on humidity, which conserves it, it much prefers the cool.

“The work of the cheesemaker is to control the humidity,” he says.

Wine Tasting with A Twist Wine experts called the audience’s bluff in a wine tasting evening with a twist, put on by Infinity Financial Solutions.

As an adage to the long-running TV show, Call My Bluff, this wine-tasting event was destined to be different from the start.

Gathered at Red Apron, the panel – AsiaLIFE Imbibe columnist Darren Gall, of Liquid Assets, Thomas Bianco, food and beverage manager at Raffles Hotel Le Royal and wine connoisseur Leanne Devereux – presented six wine throughout the evening.

After the audience sampled each glass, the judge gave a short description on the flavour, origin and type of wine.

Two were bluffing and only one was telling the truth, with the audience standing in the corner corresponding to who they believed was telling the truth.

“I wanted to put a twist on the usual event,” says Paul Dodd, Infinity regional manager and compere for the night.

“I wanted to do something to keep the crowd interested and engaged throughout the night so thought about doing something based on the gameshow.”

As well as proving popular among the capital’s wine-loving crowd, the event turned 16 AsiaLIFE Cambodia

out to be a great way for people to mingle and network.

“That was a total accident,” says Dodd.

“But that moving around element really helped get people talking, and it turned out to be a great networking event.”

With the event successfully in the bag,

Dodd plans on hosting another event, using its social element to welcome the annual round of fresh expats landing in the Kingdom in September.

“It will make a great evening to introduce the new kids on the block to the old-timers.” he says.

t h e p l a c e t o e at

OYSTERS

oyster lovers be tempted one dollar each everyday 6 to 8 First Floor, maline apartment building, street 214, between norodom & street 51 tel: 092 776 552

AsiaLIFE Cambodia 17

TOP FIVE

The cost of dining may well be on the increase across Phnom Penh but there are still a swathe of places offering plenty of bang for your buck. AsiaLIFE singles out some of the best.

18 AsiaLIFE Cambodia

Poki Poke Since introducing its “sushi in a bowl” concept to the capital in 2015, Poki Poke has been popular with Phnom Penhers wanting to refuel without breaking the bank. For those not in the know, poke hails from Hawaii, where the raw fish salad is often served as an appetiser. Drawing influences from Japan, the dish traditionally contains raw fish, soy sauce and wasabi, however, this eatery’s revamped version sees brown or white rice tossed into a bowl, with the choice of salmon or tuna sashimi, mackerel, chicken or prawns. Next up is choosing from an array of additional ingredients, ranging from crabmeat, avocado and potato salad, to cucumber and masago egg.

This is then topped with a dressing, varying from spicy oil to mayonnaise. With regular bowls ranging from $1.50 to $2.50 and large bowls from $2.50 to $3.50, what’s not to like.

71 Sothearos Boulevard. Tel: 017 570 923.

Open daily, from 10am to 9pm.

Kaifun There is no need to splash the cash to fill up on food at Kaifun because here all items on the menu are $1.50. Taking its inspiration from Singapore’s hawker centres, which offer a selection of snacks at affordable prices, Kaifun replicates that typical tapas eating experience in a courtyard setting.

Diners can eat inside or at the outside shaded deck area, which skirts a courtyard containing a clay pizza oven, blue VW Kombie van transformed into a taco truck, and a street barbecue cart. Rice and noodle dishes are made inside.

Dishes include chicken curry rice, pork belly, vegetarian pizza, chicken burger and Cuban sandwich. The low prices nudge towards the portions, which are small, but ordering a few to share between friends makes it fun.

25 Street 334. Tel: 023 900 545.

Open daily from noon to 9pm

YamYam With a second branch set to open at Vattanac Tower any day now, YamYam has been satisfying stomachs with its quality street-style food, served at rock bottom prices, since opening on Street 310 less than a year ago. Aiming to present Chinese and Khmer street food in a trendy, indoor setting, owner Bryan Bai has tried to keep prices below the $2.50 mark. The menu takes in familiar favourites, such as Chinese pork bao, spring rolls, tempura and kuy teav noodle soup served with pork or seafood, dumplings and rice dishes. The buffet lunch is also a hit, offering six Khmer dishes and a soup for $2.50. The great news is, they’ve just started doing deliveries during lunch, so you don’t even have to leave home to stuff your face. The casual diner’s hip vibe is rounded off by contemporary murals on the walls, created by local street artists.

69 Street 310. Tel: 070 890 000.

Open daily, from 6am to 9pm.

AsiaLIFE Cambodia 19

The Vegetarian

Irrawaddi BKK1 stalwart Irrawaddi has been pleasing Phnom Penhers’ purse strings for a decade, with the Burmese owner refusing to push up prices despite them rising all around her. Specialising in authentic Burmese food, the menu’s astonishing affordability has not compromised on quality. For $2.50, the lunch set changes daily and takes in a main dish, such as prawn curry, soup and a small salad, including tealeaf and long bean salads. This is followed by a plate of fruit and sweet Burmese tea. Outside of lunch, prices remain reasonable – between $2 and $5 – and take in hilsa fish stew ($4), spicy shrimp ($3.50), coconut rice ($2) and baked aubergine salad with spring onions ($2.50). Angkor beer is the only alcohol on the menu ($1) but diners are welcome to bring their own wine or beer without being charged a corkage fee.

24 Street 334. Tel: 099 614 641. Open daily, from 10am to 2pm and 5pm to 10pm.

20 AsiaLIFE Cambodia

This simple eatery definitely won’t burn a hole in your pocket with its super cheap menu, where dishes start at $1. The clue is in the name and The Vegetarian only serves meatfree food. Dishes on offer are mainly Khmer – although a few other Asian delights are thrown into the mix – with the compact menu taking in treats such as lotus root in cashew cream and tofu puffs. Despite the rock bottom prices, the portions are healthy and diners won’t leave hungry. Sat at the end of Street 19, near Sihanouk Boulevard, the restaurant boasts a tropical garden to the front that hides an intimate courtyard, with wooden tables and chairs scattered in the dappled shade, as well as a small indoor eating area.

158 Street 19. Tel: 012 905 766. Open daily, from 10.30am to 8.30pm.

DAY IN THE LIFE

Art Gallery Owner

Tony Francis Words by Marissa Carruthers.

Photo by Enric Català.

T

ony Francis spends most of his days coming up with innovative ways to catapult Cambodia’s bubbling urban art scene into international realms.

Hailing from London, Francis became inspired by the country’s burgeoning scene when he moved to Siem Reap two years ago after a stint in Thailand.

“I really started to notice the high quality of work coming through and quite a few big names coming to Cambodia doing big pieces,” he says. “I really started to pay attention.”

A year ago, he came to Phnom Penh to connect with some of the artists spearheading the scene, also scouring the streets for art and trying to locate a gallery to take the next step in his mission.

“Street art is no more a back-alley thing, it’s an exciting form of contemporary art that is now widely accepted across the world,” he says. “It’s not just an art movement, it’s a social movement.”

While artists such as Lisa Mam and Peap Tarr, Chifumi and Theo Vallier have been driving the 22 AsiaLIFE Cambodia

scene for the last few years, spawning a new generation of local graffiti artists, Francis wants to give them the international recognition. To provide them with this platform, at the end of March he opened KBach Gallery on Street 178.

With four planned exhibitions a year, featuring pieces from those who live in Cambodia or who have contributed to the scene, Francis plans to primarily sell the art to London, New York, Paris and LA, netting between $5,000 and $10,000 per piece – and so far, it’s going well.

“I’m selling to mature markets and giving the artists the exposure they deserve, and the value they deserve,” he says.

The opening exhibit, Rebirth, features work from artists including FONKi, who was born in France to Cambodian parents before moving to Montreal, and founder of Colombian street art movement Animal Power Culture, Stinkfish, whose work can be found in the Kingdom.

Having spent the last few months getting the gallery finished on time, when Rebirth closes on May 5, he will start organising

the next exhibit, Celebration, featuring six Columbian artists. This will open in July.

Working on a local level, Francis has teamed up with the likes of Chifumi and Vallier to promote the street art scene. “We want to help people associate street art with vibrancy and beauty, colour and tradition, as opposed to vandals and graffiti.”

They are also working with schools and organisations that want a wall spruced up by offering the skills of local and visiting international artists for free. “That way we get a wall to paint that is legal, while also giving the artists somewhere to work. ” With the third Cambodian Urban Arts Festival planned for December, Francis has jumped on board as a sponsor and co-organiser with Chifumi and Vallier, and has plans to spend the months ahead making this year’s 10day outing bigger and better than before.

“This is going to be really exciting and will show what’s going on in Cambodia right now,” he says.

For more information, visit kbachgallery.com.

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T

he Discovery Centre aims to make it easy for people to not just be observers of our picturesque surrounds, but it invites people to immerse themselves in the colourful countryside life and stimulate all your senses doing so.

A picture of a beautiful scene has far more meaning when you remember the setting, and the tastes and aromas you will associate with it.

Besides organising excursions for international travellers, the Discovery Center aims to let people discover the pleasures of sailing.

New Dutch manager, Jeroen van Vliet, is excited to tell more about the short- and long-term plans of the Sailing Club.

In January 2017, we received two brand new Hobie Cat 13’s and one Hobie Cat T2, our new flagship of the Sailing Club. Our existing Hobie Cats are still available but will slowly be phased out.

Proving that sometimes the best things come in small packages, the arrival of five little dinghies initiated the most excitement in Jeroen.

These Optimists are perfect for learning to sail and offer a unique opportunity for people to take their first steps into the wonderful world of sailing.

Sailing Programmes

With a clear plan to promote sailing, Jeroen has complied a comprehensive youth sailing course based around eight lessons.

The youth beginners’ course is flexible.

The programme can be divided across four weekends in a year of your choosing, or can be given in a short fast track course in three full days, with a return day at a later date. One of the main features of the youth beginners’ course is the safe environment and safe procedures. The coastal waters around Kep make it a perfect area to teach children in Optimists.

With hardly any current and very few waves, these waters lend themselves perfectly for courses.

The shallowness makes it even better as instructors can stand next to the dinghies to always have them within reach. A power boat is always on hand.

One-day introduction courses and open sailing weekends for children who want to get a first taste of sailing will launch soon.

Adults, Membership and Discounts

For parents, many attractive discounts on a stay at Knai Bang Chatt will be offered, an hour of free sailing on a Hobie Cat and a discount on the sunset cruise for the family.

While the emphasis may be on youth courses this year, adults are not forgotten.

Soon memberships will be available with attractive offers for rentals and courses.

The long-term goal is to get RYA recognition as an internationally recognised Training Centre.

RYA recognition is one of the hardest things to achieve for any sailing school in the world but with this as the penultimate goal, clients will be assured of high sailing standards with us.

Sailing standards have already drastically improved and will gradually improve to levels unknown to Cambodia.

Sailing Federation and the Future of Sailing

The Sailing Club is proud to be working with the Cambodian Sailing Federation as the only recognised sailing club in Cambodia.

The Discovery Center is happy to support the Sailing Federation in its endeavors to send a Cambodian sailor to the Asia Games in the future.

To find professional sailors you need a broad base and these youth sailing courses and our free sailing lessons for local Khmer kids will provide just that.

Exciting times indeed.

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PHOTO ESSAY

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alt 2 is a series by Steve Porte focusing on the 2017 salt harvest in Kampot.

The images portray the environment and workers at salt fields southeast of Kampot, where many of these fields are held by a single owner. The workers reside in several small clusters of buildings, which include a school and playground for the children, upgraded sanitation facilities and a community centre that is under construction. They work the salt fields in season, and either work with the local fishing fleet or travel out of Kampot for work during the off season.

Porte spent 25 years travelling globally for work, and wandered around with a camera during his days off. He is now retired and living in Cambodia, where he spends most of his time documenting the culture and people in the Kingdom and across the region.

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LOMORPICH RITHY

With a fourth Bonn Phum Festival under her belt, organiser and co-founder Lomorpich Rithy talks to editor Marissa Carruthers about its origins and how she is using it to inspire an appreciation for Cambodian arts. Photography by Lim Sokchanlina.

What is a Bonn Phum festival?

It means village festival and is a traditional Cambodian celebration, but today is much less popular. Village festival is a common expression for Cambodian people, especially in the villages where they always celebrate within the community.

However, they don’t really know what’s in a festival or how to organise it properly; it’s more a gathering for people to have fun. Our Bonn Phum is a folktale festival, where people feel like they are going back in time. They can see Cambodian arts and cultural activities, eat local food and celebrate Khmer New Year.

Why did you start the festival?

I was in my fourth year at university working on my thesis and was in love with Cambodian shadow puppets. I wanted to make a documentary and went to research footage but there was none. The traditional performance is very special and I’d never seen it with my own eyes. I met with a master at Sovannaphum [Arts Association] and asked whether

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he could do it. He agreed but said it has to be at a pagoda or during a ceremony as it is sacred. I spoke to my sister and she said, “Let’s make a night of it.” It would be expensive so we thought of selling tickets but were worried no one would buy them. A friend suggested selling Cambodian noodles and sugar cane. Another friend said one day is too short and said to introduce traditional games because it’s in April, just before Khmer New Year.

I asked at a pagoda if they had space, and they did, so we started organising it.

How has it evolved?

The first year was small and the shadow puppet performance was the main art form. We knew nothing and it was more like people came and it happened.

For the second year, we wanted to make it bigger and looked at how we could organise it better. We lacked the song and dance that gives the feeling of new year, and we really wanted to promote Cambodian performing arts. We started to introduce more performances, music and stages, and last year it really boomed. We had 12,000 people each day. This year, we had four stages: contemporary, traditional music, folk music and performing arts stages, Khmer archery and traditional games, shadow puppet making, food and drinks and more, with about 20,000 people each day.

Why did you choose to hold it in Takmao?

The festival is a village festival so we wanted to do

it somewhere that wasn’t in the city, and make people feel like they’re going back in time. We picked Toul Krasang Pagoda because it’s old and has kept a lot of the original features. It also has a nice environment, with paddy fields and lotus lakes; as you enter the pagoda you get the feeling of going into a village.

Is this the first time many young Cambodians have see traditional arts?

Yes. Many, even of our volunteers, say to me, “Wow, this is my first time listening to this kind of music or dance, or seeing it.” Even myself, when I started, I didn’t really know anything about some of the arts, such as Lakhon Khol [masked dance]. The first time I saw it, I thought, “Is this really Cambodian?” I Googled it and almost had a heart attack. Why didn’t I know about this and I am a university student? I was very ashamed.

Why is it important you keep these traditions alive?

Our aim is to preserve the performing arts but also to develop them. Every year, with the main evening performances, we not only keep traditional art shows but find new artists; we try to mix the two together. For example, we try to find artists to make contemporary music using traditional instruments.

How do you find volunteers?

We announce it on Facebook and people can apply online,

then have two interviews. This year, we had 150 volunteers covering four zones. Everything is made and designed by the volunteers, and each team can create their own ideas for their zone. We want to provide a platform where youths can express themselves rather than come and just be a volunteer. Volunteering in a Cambodian context now is confusing because some people only provide jobs such as selling tickets or carrying things around. Here, we try to provide work where the volunteers want. So, if you’re a graphic designer, you do that.

It’s good practise for them.

What about the ecofriendly side of the event?

Each year, we build everything, from the stages to the tables and walkways. Everything is made from natural materials, and we offer the benches, tables and other useful things to the pagoda afterwards. We also don’t want to have any plastic so we make our own reusable bottles for people to fill with water rather than use plastic.

This year, we also provided public transport from Phnom Penh so people could catch a bus, taxi or tuk tuk from the National Stadium rather than one person per moto or car.

We want to promote a green environment, that is very important for us and something we will continue to develop.

For more information on the festival and how to get involved in next year’s event, follow BonnPhum on Facebook.

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With preparations underway for this month’s Cambodia LGBT Pride, editor Marissa Carruthers looks at LGBT life in Cambodia.

Photography by Lucas Veuve.

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ockets of Phnom Penh are transformed into a sea of colour, rainbow flags hang from walls and tuk tuks, and are draped over the shoulders of revellers. Laughter rings through the air and there’s a real sense of celebration felt across the capital.

This is a familiar sight at Cambodia LGBT Pride. Watching from the sidelines, it’s easy to think the LGBTI (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex) community is openly accepted in Cambodia. However, this is far from the case.

Rape, forced marriage, bullying, police harassment, job discrimination, violence, stigma and inequality remain rampant across the country, and are issues commonly faced by LGBTIs. “There is still a lot of prejudice against LGBTI people, and that is what we are working towards stopping,” says Srorn Srun, activist and founder of CamASEAN, whose work includes promoting equal rights and stamping out injustice.

Despite attitudes slowly changing, there remains a wealth of work to be done, education to be delivered and policies and laws revised to fully embrace this often segregated part of society.

While hard work is carried out across the country throughout the year, the Pride event remains a place where the disparate elements of the community can celebrate their identity with freedom, while educating the public on their plight to be accepted.

“We want to empower people, we want to introduce a sustainable movement,

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we want the community to be visible to everyone,” says Srorn, who is also a Pride co-organiser.

Coming Out

“It was hard for me to be gay living at home,” says Chuk Sopheap, who hails from a small village on the outskirts of Battambang. “My family would always ask when I’m getting married and having children. It was difficult.”

At 18, Chuk moved to Siem Reap on the hunt for employment, and acceptance.

Away from his tightknit community and relatives, the 34-year-old was able to be himself, eventually moving to Phnom Penh, where he trained as a hairdresser before opening his own salon by day and gay bar by night, Space Hair Salon and Bar. “This gave me a lot of freedom,” says Chuk, who came out to his parents a year ago after their pressure for him to marry and have children became too much. “It’s not easy to be gay in the provinces. It’s small and it’s my homeland. It’s not the city, where everyone can have fun and be themselves. I’m also the oldest of my siblings so everyone looks up to me.”

Pressure from relatives is a common complaint across the board, with young Cambodians often struggling to come out.

And even when they do, being urged to change their ways.

“My grandparents still think I will love a girl one day and get married,” says Nix McKool, Pride co-organiser, adding he was fortunate that his father understood once

he explained – although his family were the last to know when he told them at the age of 22.

Cambodian culture also traditionally comes coupled with an expectation that the old will be taken care of by younger generations, says Ok Prumsodun, who recently launched the country’s first gay traditional Cambodian dance troupe.

“I meet a lot of young Cambodians who have been with their partners for a long time,” he says. “I ask them when they’re going to live together, and they reply, ‘Never, I want to have a family’. For them, a family is a wife and kids. My Dad used to ask me when I would get married.

When I said I’m gay, he asked when I was going to have a family? I realised it wasn’t the marriage, it was the family that was important. He asked me, ‘Who’s going to take care of me when I get old’?”

Finance can play another important role in revealing sexuality. A report by social research agency TNS, released in 2015

by NGO Rainbow Community Kampuchea (RoCK), concluded that money and work status are prioritised over sexual identity in Cambodia. “The economic status or working title of LGBT can change straight people’s … perceptions and reactions – higher income LGBT are less discriminated against by straight people.”

Ok says this is an issue he noticed when recruiting his dancers. “When speaking to them, many said they didn’t want to tell their parents until they could support themselves,” he adds. “For them, being

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financially secure is very important before they come out.”

It was this financial independence that helped to secure affirmation from Chuk’s family when he came out to them last year.

“Everyone kept asking me how old I was.

I’d tell them 34 and they’d ask why I’m not married with children. Why am I single? I said, ‘I’m not single; I’m gay. I’m happy, I have my own bar and business in Phnom Penh. I’m a hairdresser, I’m happy in my life,’.”

The Daily Struggle

Discrimination, exclusion from families, harassment and legal challenges were ranked the top four problems faced by the LGBT community in the TNS report.

While life for the LGBT population may seem easier in cities than the countryside, it is still tough. Reports of forced marriages, discrimination at work and school, bullying from peers and police harassment are rampant throughout the Kingdom.

“Discrimination still happens in urban areas, it’s not just rural areas,” says Ung Polin, community mobilisation and networking adviser for UNAIDS, which provides coordination and technical assistance to LGBTI organisations. “Even though LGBTI people are increasingly coming out as themselves and becoming more visible compared to in the past, the issues of stigma and discrimination are still very much there.”

Un Borin, 26, says victimisation from peers in Phnom Penh is a daily challenge.

“When I go out with my friends to eat something, we get a lot of bad words from people around us. It makes me angry but I don’t talk back to them so we often have to move somewhere else because we don’t want to have problems,” says Un. These prejudices from wider society can also lead to low self-esteem. “Often the most difficult thing for gay men is they feel they lose their value,” says Dirk de Graaff, owner of gay-friendly Rambutan resorts in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap and Pride coorganiser, recalling it took time to convince a star employee, who was gay, to accept a promotion to manager because he didn’t realise his worth.

Forced marriage is common in rural and urban areas, says Srorn, especially for women pressurised by their parents. They will pursue a suitable spouse. “This can be followed by years of rape and abuse from their husbands,” he adds.

However, this is not an exclusively female occurrence. McKool says one of the “saddest things” was when a friend opened up about his sexuality to his family, who ordered him to get married. “And he did,” he adds.

Discrimination in the workplace is not unusual, with many organisations refusing to hire people based on their sexuality – this is even more rife within the transgender community, with some garment factories recently stipulating they will not recruit from this segment of society, according to Srorn.

Bullying can be endemic in schools, from both pupils and teachers. Also, there is a

lack of health services aimed specifically at the transgender community, who often use hormones with devastating effects.

“Many don’t have anywhere to go so they’ll listen to advice passed down from friends of friends,” says Srorn, adding he regularly comes across cases where people have disfigured themselves from injecting unknown substances being sold as hormones.

In 2013, two people died in a Phnom Penh hospital seven hours after injecting what they thought were hormones into their chest. Instead it was oil from a tree that caused a lethal reaction.

Legal protection is another area that needs to be addressed, with the community regularly victimised, especially in the provinces. “We hear many stories from people, mostly transgender, who are arrested for human trafficking or drugs just because of the way they look,” says Srorn, adding that transgender women in prison are particularly susceptible to rape.

Colourful Future

While these issues are still deeply entrenched in society, attitudes are changing in both the cities and provinces, thanks to the tireless work carried out by organisations such as CamASEAN, RoCK, UNAIDS and other organisations working with LGBTI community.

CamASEAN is currently running a series of projects across all 25 provinces. This includes an exhibition of LGBTI partners, including a transgender couple who have been together since 1949. These

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will be displayed in five villages across three rural communes. “We want to show communities that LGBTI couples are just the same as straight ones,” says Srorn.

Advocacy work has also gained momentum in recent years, with six ministries meeting with organisations and making changes.

After two years of lobbying from activist groups, such as CamASEAN, in 2015, the Ministry of Women’s Affairs included the LBT community in its national action plan to prevent violence against women, and the Ministry of Health has agreed to address common issues faced by the community, such as catering towards the transgender population and psychological problems that can arise.

Activists have also met with the Ministry of Interior to discuss the problem of police harassment, and the Ministry of Labour is looking at ways to encourage employers to be more inclusive. While the Ministry of Education has pledged to start teaching sex education in school, including one session tackling SOGI (sexual orientation and gender identity), from 2018.

“These are small changes but they’re something,” says Srorn, who also runs workshops with the local media, who he says can often be dismissive of the community in their reporting. “This is positive and steps in the right direction.”

Other projects that have helped bring the community together is a series of Facebook groups launched by CamASEAN: MyVoiceMyStory, which invites people to share their stories through 34 AsiaLIFE Cambodia

Facebook Live on the page, and LGBT and Counselling, which offers support and a forum for people to share concerns and seek advice.

“These are very popular,” says Pheung Sophea, who works with minority and marginalised groups for CamASEAN. “It makes others see they are not alone, and even if they are in remote areas, they have a community to talk to.”

Ung agrees that perception is changing across the country – something he believes is down to mobilising communities.

“LGBTI groups visit communities and talk to them to help people understand, they offer education about the issues. There is also increasingly information available through the TV and media programmes supported by civil society organisations and online discussing the issues, as well as campaigns and events organised in the community. All of these together would help society to better understand this is not a disease, it’s nature.”

I Am What I Am

Another major stepping stone on the road to ultimate acceptance is this month’s Cambodia LGBT Pride.

“Pride brings people together to discuss issues, specifically raising wider awareness around LGBT,” says Ung. “It’s a week when LGBT people can come together to celebrate and advocate their issues and concerns, including rights. The work related to LGBT is done continuously throughout the year, not just within the week, but Pride is a time that people, in

particular LGBT people and their allies, come together to collectively reinforce the message and show unity.”

Opening with an event that sees organisations unite in a community setting on May 12, the main programme launches on May 17 – International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia – and takes in six days of workshops, seminars, parties, screenings and other events.

Phnom Penh’s top LGBT spots, such as Rambutan Resort, Arthur & Paul, Space Hair Salon, Valentinos, Blue Chilli and Heart of Darkness, will host special events, such as pool parties, barbecues, cabaret shows and dance nights. Street parties will take over the city and one man will be crowned Mr Gay Cambodia.

And the Amazingly Fabulous Tuk Tuk Race will make a return on May 20.

Following on from its huge success last year, the scavenger hunt will see teams of four to five people solve a series of clues, hunt for hidden locations and landmarks and compete to earn the most points, with prizes up for grabs along the way. The route takes in a series of Pride sites.

“At last year’s Pride, there were many people, and straight people too,” says Chuk. “There were many families that joined the tuk tuk ride, and they knew it was a gay thing. This shows there is more acceptance and I think Pride helps this.

The future can only get better.”

For more information on Cambodia LGBT Pride, visit them on Facebook.

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Home to a booming international community, Cambodia is constantly waving goodbye to those moving on to pastures new. Editor Marissa Carruthers finds out how to take some of the stress out of leaving Cambodia. Photography by Enric Català.

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urrounded by piles of neatly piled boxes and mountains of junk, Sara Stewart lets out a huge sigh.

“These have been some of the most stressful weeks of my life,” she says.

This month, the 36-year-old freelance designer and her husband will relocate back to the US after living in Cambodia for four years, and they’re feeling the stress, despite starting their preparations four months ago.

“Moving is one the most stressful situations anyone can experience,” says Andrea Gastaldi, general manager of relocation and removal company AGS Four Winds Cambodia. “Plan your move in advance to avoid any bad surprises.”

For many, the long slog starts with sifting through belongings – a process where tough love is essential, advises Stewart. “My husband is a hoarder but even so, I was surprised how much useless stuff I’d acquired,” she says, adding it took six rounds of whittling down to the absolute essentials before they were finally done. “You have to be ruthless.”

Adele Peers, who recently returned to England after living in Cambodia between 2008 and 2011 and 2012 to 2016, recommends using a removal company, if within budget – and shopping around.

“Don’t trust the advice of one person or company. Just because something worked for your friend three months ago doesn’t mean it will work now.”

Juggling the figures is also essential, to both keep costs down and help steer decisions on what to take and leave. Cost analysis proved critical for Peers, who weighed up what was cheaper: shipping or buying items at her final destination?

“This was invaluable,” she says.

“Remember, most things you can get anywhere. That said, it was cheaper for me to ship my pictures and artwork in their frames than to take them out and get them reframed in England.”

Getting paperwork in order well in advance is also advisable, as well as checking what documents are needed in your new country, such as visas and work

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and residence permits. Even if using a removal agency, there are often boxes that need to be ticked for items to be shipped.

“The problem of visas at the destination is common,” says Gastaldi. “It is very important to get your visas done as soon as possible.” Visa issues can cause delays in delivery as cargo usually cannot be shipped without receiving the green light from their office or partner in the receiving country, he adds.

Some countries, such as Indonesia and Brazil, have local regulations and it can often take up to three months to get all the documents for the process. Other countries have stringent import regulations, meaning some valuable items must be left behind.

For example, Buddha statues cannot be shipped to Thailand and most countries do not allow the import of food.

As a teacher, for Peers, one of the most challenging elements of her move was securing the police check essential to work in the UK. Despite receiving help from her former employers, it took several months, with her having to trace all previous landlords to sign off on the check, as well as all rental agreements.

Families have the extra organisation involved with children, such as finding new schools and suitable accommodation.

“A removal to a new country is always a stressful experience,” says Gastaldi, whose company offers relocation packages for families. “Even more for the kids, who will have to get used to a completely new life; starting all over again with a different school, home and friends, and usually a new language and cultures.”

To get young ones used to the idea, he suggests having boxes delivered in advance so children can become involved in the process and pre-pack some toys.

He recommends taking a suitcase with favourite toys and clothes so they are available on arrival. “Having these personal items with them will help them feel safe and home quicker,” he says.

Peers was 32 weeks pregnant when she flew home, meaning she had to secure a medical certificate from her doctor to fly.

This had to be presented to the airline between five days and 48 hours before flying. “When I did this, the agents at Vattanac Tower looked a bit confused about why I was there but I’m glad I did because at check-in they asked for my certificate again,” she says.

While the Stewarts may not have children, they do have cats and arranging to get them back into the US was no mean feat. “The restrictions vary from country to country and can take months for paperwork and blood tests, so you need to start early,” says Stewart.

Peers also took her cat back to the UK, despite the “numerous hurdles and frustrations”. Her main challenge was finding an airline that would take her cat out of Cambodia. Despite other friends using Qatar, she was informed they did not have a license to take animals out of Phnom Penh and instead had to use Cathay Pacific and ship her as cargo at double the price, with a 15-hour layover.

Having settled into life in England, Peers’ most important advice to those leaving Cambodia is – “make the most of massages and mani and pedis.”

AGS TOP TIPS FOR MOVING 1. If hiring a removal company, get insurance and draft a detailed inventory of items.

2. Local artefacts, such as Buddha statues, must be declared to the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts.

3. Plan ahead to ensure all documents and permits are in order.

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Greg McCann takes a grueling 10-day trek to the Laos border and uncovers some rare nature and ways of life along the way.

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here is a mountain in Ratanakiri where visitors can have one foot in Cambodia and one in Laos.

From here, vistas that few people have seen, and few will ever see again, can be seen from all sides.

Look south into Cambodia to gaze upon the Veal Thom Grasslands about eight kilometres away, appearing like a golden golf course paved with melted honey on a hilly plateau in the middle of the jungle; look to the north into Laos and immediately to the right is a large jagged peak rising higher than the mountain’s peak – and that’s about 1,455 metres.

If the weather is clear, further north into the distance across Attapeu province, sits the outline of the Bolaven Plateau. Rippling below in every direction is one of the last substantial evergreen forests in Indochina – Cambodia’s Virachey National Park, and Laos’ Nam Ghong PPA. The mountain on which the weary trekker stands is called Haling-Halang, so named by the ethnic Brao and Kavet tribal people, who live in the buffer zone of Virachey National Park.

When trekkers and their guides are not there, some of the rarest animals in Southeast Asia will be walking the ridgeline’s natural trail: clouded leopards, marbled cats, golden cats, leopard cats, binturongs, sun bear and more – they all call this mountain home. We know that because we have camera-trapped them there year after year.

While visitor’s chances of actually seeing the aforementioned animals is slim, as it is anywhere in Cambodia, there can be no doubt that Virachey is one of the most important repositories for wildlife in the whole of Indochina.

The trek to the Lao border in Virachey takes about 10 to 12 days depending on stamina. Along the way trekkers slog up

mountains, ford rivers, cross the golden grasslands, machete through bamboo and rattan, bathe in rivers, sleep in hammocks, and wake up to the melancholy cries of Northern Buff-cheeked gibbons.

Much of the trek is on an artery of the old Ho Chi Minh Trail. The North Vietnamese hacked a path that was later used by domesticated elephants to haul out timber and rattan – free gifts the post-Khmer Rouge Vietnamese occupiers helped themselves to in order to partially reimburse themselves for saving Cambodia from Pol Pot – they also deposed the Khmer Rouge to protect themselves.

Speaking of elephants, our team recently reconfirmed the existence of a breeding population of wild Asian elephants in Virachey, and trekkers step over their dung on the trek to Haling Halang.

However, like any beautiful wild place in Southeast Asia, Virachey is under threat.

Over the years, the park and its wildlife have withstood the onslaught of loggers and poachers, but the worst possible project has been set in motion and, if finished, will destroy the relatively untrodden region between the grasslands and the Lao border.

The plan is a “border belt” road that will hug international boundary with Laos, cutting through the carpet of tree crowns to connect Siem Pang with the Dragon’s Tail area and, finally, Vietnam. Portions of this road have already been completed near Vietnam and in Siem Pang, but the road has yet to penetrate Virachey’s core.

Make no mistake about it, if this road is completed then this epic trek, and Virachey itself, are finished. So time is running out for this trek, for the wildlife of Virachey, and, more generally, for what remains of the natural world in Indochina, because what is happening in this park is symptomatic of the entire region.

The Brao and Kavet people of Virachey’s buffer zone are animists. This is a land of tree faeries and tiger spirits and rice wine, even if all the tigers and many of the trees are now gone, and the locals have a legend about Haling-Halang. It goes something like this: a long time ago there was a great flood and the water rose above the Veal Thom Grasslands and over all the mountain peaks in the region except for Haling-Halang.

On the top of this mountain – the same place from which trekkers will take in their views – there remained a woman, a dog and a tiger, constituting the last three surviving beings on the planet.

One day when the tiger was patrolling the shoreline the woman bent over to plant some rice and the canine jumped on her back and made love to her in the fashion that dogs do.

When the waters retreated and the trio came down from Haling-Halang the woman was pregnant and gave birth to the first humans who began repopulating the Earth.

So a trek to the Lao border is more than simply eco-tourism, it’s a journey to the holiest spirit mountain where one can trace the roots of mankind.

You won’t have to worry about tigers (extinct) or frisky dogs (although dhole, the wild Asiatic dog, are still found in the area). What you need to worry about is the clock running out on the baddest trek in Indochina. See Virachey before it’s gone.

Greg McCann is project coordinator for Habitat ID, which enters under-prioritised protected areas to set up remote cameratraps to prove rare and important animals still inhabit these neglected areas, and the author of Called Away by a Mountain Spirit.

To book a trek, contact Virachey ranger Leam Sou at leamsou@gmail.com, find him on Facebook or call 097 333 4775.

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Spanning Cambodia, Thailand, New York and Norway, On the Night Joey Ramone Died is an exciting tale of rock and punk by Jim Algie.

Review by Gary Rutland.

SIDE A: The Night Joey Ramone Died

For punk rockers of a certain age and persuasion, where they were the night Joey Ramone died can be as apocryphal as the Kennedy and Lennon shootings are for others of different persuasions; they’ll know where they were, who they were with and what they were doing.

That’s certainly the case for the hero/ anti-hero of Jim Algie’s riveting story about punk, rock’n’roll in general, relationships, the art of songwriting, the nature of fame, Cambodia’s Killing Fields and much more.

Algie skillfully juggles his multitude of subjects like a seasoned performer, and like a pro he never lets one drop.

He crams his pages with astute and often caustic observations, plenty of drugs and rock’n’roll and thankfully – or disappointingly – no real sex. It’s not that this is a puritanical read; it’s just that it’s sexy enough without it.

Shortly after the novel begins, there is the first of several wonderfully descriptive meanderings as the main character Lek Sukanyal – a middle-aged faded and jaded Thai punk-rock icon – looks forlornly out on the Bangkok skyline and sees desolation spread everywhere.

“The offices looked like rows and rows of crypts in a towering mausoleum for white collar workers. Everywhere he looked he saw devastation and death.”

Fear not. This may be a dark read but it’s a far from depressing experience, quite often the opposite.

Lek is at an age where he’s finally become aware and consequently ashamed of having been a poor father and realises that he needs to rectify this. “It was high time to make a start, or at least open up the

channels of communication, on the night Joey Ramone died.”

This declaration leads to dialogues between father and son, allowing them to address a number of issues including youth versus middle-age, a consequence of which is son Dee Dee being gifted some classic put-downs invoking excruciating eviscerations of many of the all-time greats of the “rock” era, including a priceless line when he trashes several of Lek’s heroes as purveyors of “Jurassic rock”.

Algie also uses these exchanges to allow Lek to muse on the emotional impact of songs he grew up with and compare them to today’s moribund cookie-cutter “mainstream hits” that carry little or no emotional impact and sound as if they’re created by committee.

Later, musing on his own creative process, Lek wittily muses: “Writing (songs) always proceeds in fits and full stops.”

His descriptions of the creative process are as enjoyable as they are enlightening; experts and novices alike will enjoy the insider knowledge of music, the music biz, touring, writing and the rock’roll lifestyle.

This also opens the door for travel, party and drug stories that no self-respecting book about late 20th century music should be without and allows the tale to roam to New York and Death Valley where the spectacular Devils Golf Course provides the setting for a wry passage about Lek’s divorce which juxtaposes cleverly with the natural beauty of the setting.

SIDE B: Genocide Boys and Girls The second novella moves Lek and Dee-Dee’s story along effortlessly. The introduction of an interesting if often infuriating Norwegian – possible femme

fatale – English teacher with a strange fascination for dark subject matter moves the story into deeper, murky waters.

Here Algie cleverly meshes Norwegian Black Metal with commentary and historical detail on Cambodia’s infamous Killing Fields, its notorious leader Pol Pot and his relationship with Thailand, as well as various forms of addiction, both chemical and societal.

Did you know Pol Pot had a holiday home in Pattaya? I didn’t, and this is just one of the tidbits that are revealed about this most harrowing of chapters in Cambodia’s history.

The father-son dynamic has altered nicely in the intervening years, allowing Dee Dee to mature and Lek to, well, you should find out for yourself.

The writing has a flow and intelligence that grips, informs, entertains and is loaded with winning turns of phrase, plenty of dry humour and metaphors to die for including: “Tourist boats leaving traces of techno in their wake”, and, “The raising of children and cremating of parents”.

It’s hard to imagine how this story could be more topical as 2016 – the singular most apocalyptic year in the history of rock – slowly recedes in the rear-view mirror.

But it’s more than just topical. Like the main characters this is a complex story cleverly told and I found it a refreshing change from so many of the novels written about or based in Southeast Asia.

It’s neither thriller nor noir, yet somehow this read manages to be both and so much more besides.

Published by Magic Bullet Press, 2016.

Available at Amazon, $2.99 Kindle editior.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR After spending a decade rocking and spinning around the subterranean circles of the music business, Jim Algie lived and worked in Barcelona, Berlin, Casablanca and Bangkok, where he began a full-fledged career writing journalism, fiction, travel guides and scripting documentaries. He now works in the communications department of an NGO headquartered in Bangkok that combats human and wildlife trafficking while moonlighting as a weirdsmith and freelance author.

AsiaLIFE Cambodia 41

Bamboo is shaking off its reputation as a poor man’s material, thanks to the efforts of sustainable builders and the country’s first festival celebrating the diverse material. Words by Jessica Tana; photography by Lucas Veuve.

B

amboo is a traditional building material that has been used in Cambodia for centuries. It is lightweight, extremely flexible and rapidly renewable compared to timber.

Bamboo, however, is noticeably missing in contemporary construction around the capital city.

Relegated to a poor man’s material, the iconic plant that is rampant throughout Asia is often seen as too provincial to be used in modern architecture.

On a mission to elevate the status of bamboo is David Cole, founder of sustainable design company Building Trust, and organiser of Phnom Penh’s inaugural bamboo design festival, Camboo.

“We are trying to use a material that has huge potential in construction, and we are trying to use it in a modern context to get over the stigma that it’s a poor person’s material, or a low-grade material,” says Cole, from a café near the capital’s Freedom Park, where several newly-created bamboo structures stand waiting for opening night.

Camboo Design Festival was created to showcase modern bamboo designs created

by Cambodian architecture students from six universities across Phnom Penh.

The students, who were involved in bamboo workshops with Building Trust, created six pavilions, which they designed to project the modern capabilities and beauty of the material.

“Two months ago, the students started learning techniques with bamboo and we just got blown away by their creativity and hunger for use of the traditional material in a very modern way,” Cole says.

Lyheang Sey, a student at Limkokwing University of Creative Technology, says people think modern architecture should be

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constructed from concrete or glass, but it is defined as pure geometric shape without ornamentation. However this is possible with bamboo.

“We used bamboo to create a modern structure,” Sey says, pointing to his team’s circular shaped pavilion constructed of intertwined arches. “We wanted to show that bamboo is very flexible.”

Bamboo has many good qualities in construction, but part of its dismissal as a building block comes from poor treatment of the material, Cole explains. Insects, sun and water damage the plant and shorten its lifespan, sometimes to as little as five years.

However, with proper care and treatment, bamboo can have a lasting quality. Insects can be treated with a cleaning agent, such as borax, or traditionally by soaking the material for anywhere between six months to a year in a pool of water. Damage from the sun and rain can also be prevented through clever design.

“With more modern methods of treatment, we can increase the lifespan of the material to 20, 30, possibly even 50 years,” Cole says.

The large, overhanging roof of the performance structure at the festival exemplifies clever design by protecting the bamboo underneath from the sun and rain.

Building Trust, which started out by running architecture design competitions around the world, asked international designers to conceptualise this performance structure and judged the submissions with local Cambodian builders.

An Italian team won the competition and their design was used for the festival.

It had a clean, modern looking shape that was easy to assemble. It even had a slight Khmer style to the roof, Cole notes.

“The competition brought the festival

to an international audience,” he adds.

“Every architect wants to see something they designed built.” The end of the festival is not the end of the structure, however. When the festival ended, the structures were disassembled, treated for insects and moved to a school for mentally-handicapped children to use as an undercover playground.

Modern use of bamboo doesn’t end with construction. Part of the appeal behind bamboo, as a material, is its diversity.

Running a stall at Camboo Design Festival is Bambusa Global Ventures, a bamboo specialist company in Cambodia, that have found a way to recycle bamboo waste to use as a soil amendment.

Using bamboo in building causes a lot of organic waste to be left over, but by heating that waste in an oxygen-limited environment, bamboo refuse can be turned into biochar, a product which absorbs chemical fertilisers and run-off, and releases stored nutrients to plants.

“You can discharge solvents from the clothing industry into pits full of biochar and the biochar will absorb all the chemicals, and you’ll have clear water running out,” says Bambusa CEO, Richard Dansey.

“Then you can take the chemicals out of the biochar and use it all over again. One kilo of biochar has a surface area of nearly a million square metres.”

Like Building Trust, Bambusa also uses bamboo as a modern building material and in furniture design, but the company’s use of the plant to restore soil and enhance the growth of crops, show yet another function of bamboo to help with human impact on the earth.

“Bamboo sucks in CO2 more than any other plant,” Dansey says. “If you want to save the world, plant bamboo.”

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I

f you fancy a nearby getaway with some well-earned beach time, you may well be packing your bags and heading to one of the Vietnamese resorts of Mui Ne. Depending on your budget, you’re either staying at the Phan Thiet end of the strip with the sun ripened, budgie smuggling, package-break tourists, or down towards the village itself with the budget traveller and those who want to escape the crowds.

Whichever your choice, the beach ain’t much to write home about.

A lot has changed in Mui Ne since it first came to the notice of the world during the 1995 solar eclipse. Back then it was little more than a single dirt track, lined with palm trees and wooden shacks with their corrugated iron roofs.

Accommodation choices were limited to huts or bungalows, there were no scooters for hire and little in the way of bars and restaurants to cater to visitors.

The strip’s reputation grew as it attracted the attention of kite surfers drawn to some of the best winds in the world. As more people ventured off the beaten track in search of virgin sands, the once sleepy

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stretch of coast slowly succumbed to the blight of commercialisation.

Investors spent millions developing resorts, entrepreneurs increased the variety of bars and restaurants on offer and Ivan and Ivonka realised they could catch cheap flights for a week in the sun. The place is so crowded now, you can hardly make out the beach from the hotels that line it.

Few of us venture much further than the strip itself, perhaps a trip to the sand dunes or a paddle up the increasingly polluted Fairy Stream, maybe even a drive into Phan Thiet for an attempt at shopping. But most tend to stay around the hustle and bustle of local bars and restaurants and grab what beach time they can.

However, just a few kilometres up the coast there’s a beach that puts Ham Tien to shame and with a resort that caters for the tightest of budgets.

Long Son Mui Ne, campground, restaurant and beach club is located just a short bus ride from the village of Mui Ne, 15 kilometres up the coast on the expansive and secluded Suoi Nouc Beach.

Facing east, this as yet undeveloped

stretch of beach is perfectly situated for catching sunrises and sunsets, and its seclusion provides weary travellers with a break from the hustle and bustle of the main tourist spots up and down the coast.

With an uncluttered beach that escapes much of the flotsam and jetsam that plagues Mui Ne’s strip, the windy season offers an excellent down shore breeze that attracts kites and windsurfers keen to avoid the overly-crowded waves down the coast. And only 20 minutes by public bus from town, it’s easily and cheaply accessible.

Suoi Nouc Beach remains undiscovered by many. The strip itself is a ghost town of partially finished and abandoned resorts, brought about by the 2011 downturn in the economy and government instruction to cease work on uncompleted resorts.

Long Son Mui Ne Exotic Restaurant & Resort started life offering traditional Vietnamese cuisine to tourists, along with the opportunity to watch performances of classical Vietnamese opera and water puppetry, which were lapped up.

The resort proved popular with Vietnamese guests but failed to attract

Peter Cornish gives an honest glance at the quick beach-getaway town of Mui Ne, and finds Vietnam’s Number 1 camping ground.

foreign tourists when the resort first opened its doors.

Realising they had a prime location of more than 160 meters of sea front property, the owners were keen to exploit this by targeting budget travellers, tempted by cheap prices, seclusion and a beach with nobody else on it.

The answer has become Vietnam’s number one camping ground.

Officially opened in 2011, Long Son Mui Ne offers a resort feel at backpacker prices.

An array of accommodation includes ready pitched tents in their lush gardens or on the sandy beach itself.

Also offer is a choice of dorms, air conditioned or not, as well as outside double dorms and bungalows. Guests are welcome to pitch their own tents, or just sling a hammock between two palm trees.

Tents are single or double and come equipped with ground mats and pillows.

The dorms sleep between 12 to 14 people and face straight onto the beach, perfect for watching the sun rise and enjoying the cool, early morning ocean breeze.

A stroll through the tranquil gardens with

koi ponds, palm trees and lush shrubs takes guests out of the accommodation area in to the communal space that occupies much of the resort.

The vibe is a mix of chill and party with daily events geared towards the wants of guests staying there at any particular time. The resort hosts regular parties, often themed, that attract revellers from both Mui Ne and Saigon, especially for their Friday promotions that offers tents for just $1 a night (normal dorms $3, air con dorms $5).

Combining this offer with daily happy hours from 7pm to 9pm and drinks from $1, this is a place for the budget minded to stop worrying about the bank balance and kick back and enjoy.

Saturday night entertainment includes a $5 pub crawl along the Mui Ne strip with further promotions for party goers at each bar or club they visit. A private jeep is on hand to take guests back and forth along the coast if the fun gets too much, but with an early morning dip in the sea to wash away the morning-after hangover, Sunday promises to be another day of easy, unstressed relaxation.

Other activities on offer during the week include a Wednesday movie night with beer and popcorn for $1, or Poker Night on Tuesday, again at $1 in the pot – winner takes all.

Other activities and facilities on offer include volleyball and football tournaments, a large, communal chill-out lounge with a book exchange area, board games and beanbags as well as a well-stocked bar and a restaurant popular with Vietnamese visitors as well as passing travellers.

The staff are friendly and welcoming, mostly travellers doing the Southeast Asian circuit who decided to stop and chill for a while, enjoy the vibe and save some cash for their next adventure. They are happy to share their experiences and offer advice, as well as book bus reservations or tours.

While camping on a secluded beach is not everyone’s idea of a relaxing location, if you’re in need of a bit of downtime, on a budget, and want to escape for a few days, this is certainly an option worth considering.

For more information on the resort, visit lonsonmuine.com.

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HEALTH & WELLNESS

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Grinding your teeth, whether at night unconsciously, or throughout the day, can mean bad news for your dental health. Photo by Vinh Dao.

W

hen I was a young man, I remember the dentist telling me that if I didn’t stop grinding my teeth at night, that I would have nothing left once I grew up to be a man.

Thankfully, I’m not quite there yet, so I still have a few nubs left.

Teeth grinding, otherwise known as bruxism – the medical term for grinding the teeth and clenching the jaw –, is a serious problem for dental health.

People sometimes grind their teeth without it causing any symptoms or problems. But regular, persistent teeth grinding can cause jaw pain and discomfort and wear down your teeth. It can also cause headaches and earache.

Teeth grinding generally occurs subconsciously during our sleep cycle. It’s usually associated with contributing factors, such as stress or anxiety.

Bruxism also affects people when they’re awake, although this is more likely to be clenching the teeth and jaw, rather than grinding their teeth.

Most people grind their teeth subconsciously while concentrating or when they’re in stressful situations.

When stress is high, teeth grinding gets worse. Trying to remain mindful of highstress periods is the first step to prevention.

Contributing factors

Bruxism almost always occurs in association with other factors.

More than half of bruxism cases that occur during sleep are thought be related to stress and anxiety.

There’s also an association between bruxism and obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). OSA is a sleep disorder where your breathing is interrupted during sleep. How bruxism and OSA affect each other isn’t currently fully understood.

Teeth grinding can also be caused by taking antipsychotic and antidepressant medication, particularly a type of antidepressant known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

Your lifestyle can also have an effect.

For example, regularly drinking alcohol, smoking and using recreational drugs such as ecstasy and cocaine increases your risk of bruxism.

Doctors sometimes refer to teeth grinding caused by an underlying condition as primary bruxism. Teeth grinding associated with a medication, condition or lifestyle factors is often known as this.

Handling bruxism

There are a number of possible treatments for teeth grinding, but only a few have

been shown to be effective. Behavioural therapies and the use of mouthguards or mouth splints can be effective in managing the symptoms associated with bruxism.

Mouth guards and mouth splints work in the same way by reducing the sensation of clenching or grinding teeth, and also help prevent any wear on the teeth.

Other treatments, such as musclerelaxation exercises and sleep hygiene, may also help manage your symptoms.

If you grind your teeth while you’re asleep, you may need to wear a mouth guard or mouth splint to protect your teeth from further damage.

If you have an anxiety or stress-related problem, a course of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) may be recommended.

The aim of CBT is to help you manage your problems by changing the way you think and how you act.

It may be possible to break the habit of teeth grinding using some habit-reversal techniques.

Cutting down on drinking alcohol, smoking tobacco, and other bad habits can really improve sleep quality, and further reduce stress and anxiety.

Make sure to check with your doctor about your health.

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THE EXCHANGE RESTAURANT & BAR 28 Street 47, Phnom Penh. Tel: 023 992 865. Open daily, from 10am to midnight.

Wat Phnom’s Exchange Restaurant and Bar serves a full-menu of bistro favourites in a relaxing colonial atmosphere. Words by Erin Hale; photography by Enric Català.

Set in 118-year-old former premises of a former Chinese trading house, The Exchange offers plenty of atmosphere.

Owner Tom O’Connor has pared down interior to basic brickwork giving an unpretentious vibe nicely complimented by open French windows on all four sides and slowly turning ceiling fans. It’s the kind of colonialmeets-contemporary feel other restaurants try to recreate, but here it’s authentically vintage Phnom Penh.

O’Connor and his staff brings years of experience in Phnom Penh dining to The Exchange’s diverse menu.

He describes the restaurant’s concept as “modern bistro pub”, encompassing everything from sandwiches and salads 48 AsiaLIFE Cambodia

to a Sunday roast, and plenty of monthly specials.

Imported from Australia and the US, one of the most popular items is the steak, says O’Connor, which can range from the more affordable Australian rump (350g/ $15.50) to the US T-Bone (500g/ $29.50), with a choice of red wine, peppercorn, mushroom, blue cheese or béarnaise sauce.

Another favourite is the grilled King Island tenderloin ($24.50), a thick cut of beef served medium-rare that melts in the mouth on impact. It comes accompanied by a tangy gravy, mashed potatoes and spinach.

Other large plates include the popular oven-roasted salmon fillet with warm potato and fennel salad ($16.50), barbecued baby pork ribs with sautéed

greens and potato wedges ($14), or braised lamb shank and country vegetables ($16.50).

If that sounds like too much food, The Exchange also makes excellent sharing boards. The ocean board ($16) comes highly recommended and includes a wide selection of items, such as fresh house-smoked salmon – sourced from Tasmania – topped with roe for an extra salty kick, jumbo prawns with a tangy cocktail sauce, and peppy-encrusted yellow-fin tuna, which is lean but still juicy. The platter also comes with a bonus homemade hummus, which sounds simple but is not to be missed, and plenty of bread.

For those craving more Asianfusion fare, try one of the bowls, which range from pan-seared local red snapper on mixed

greens ($14.50) to wok fried Hokkien noodles with shredded duck and shiitake mushrooms ($10.50). Salads include the flame grilled spiced beef with Asian greens ($9.50) and the vegetarian-friendly Moroccan spiced mixed-bean salad ($6).

The drinks menu offers a large list of martinis and classic cocktails ($4.50 to $7). Phnom Penh's favourite espresso martini ($5.50) is on the menu and is both light and not too sweet unlike other versions of the popular drink. Wine-drinkers will find several varieties by the glass ($4 to $7) or bottles from France to New Zealand.

Exchange is also a popular locale for events, with the building and outdoor garden able to accommodate several hundred guests.

CLOUD 9 Sun & Moon Urban Hotel, 68 Street 136, Phnom Penh. Tel: 023 961 888. Open Monday to Thursday and Sunday, from 5pm to midnight, and Friday and Saturday, from 5pm to 1am.

Offering 360-degree views of the city, sumptuous cocktails and a menu to match, Cloud 9 has got evenings – and daytimes – covered. Words by Jessica Tana; photography by Lucas Veuve.

Hotel restaurants can often feel somewhat sterile, but Sun & Moon’s rooftop bar and restaurant, Cloud9, feels both cheery and embracing.

Although a sleek and modern looking hotel, with bold colours and strong concrete designs, the little details, such as glowing white orbs as lamps and Wednesday’s 50 percent off for anyone wearing five-inch heels – that goes for men too – reveals the establishment’s care-free vibes.

Starting with the bar’s signature fruity cocktail, Sunset Pisco ($6) is the perfect way to take in the astounding view the building has of the city.

Located north of the Royal Palace, and overlooking riverside, evenings at Sun & Moon mean watching the heavy golden light settle over the water of the Tonle

Sap, turning it to the colour of their aptly named cocktail.

Catering to high-end business types and leisure-seeking locals, the menu is cosmopolitan yet playful. Dishes are arranged with presentation in mind, the protein and vegetables cut into squares or conical shapes and laid over swirls of brightly coloured sauce.

Head chef, Vanno Tin, says the concept behind the menu is Western bistro with an underlying Cambodian flavour.

“It’s a mixture of both Asian and Western tastes,” says Vanno. “We want visitors to discover Cambodian flavours, but to enjoy high-end French, Italian and British cooking.”

True to his word, the dishes are presented as highend Western cuisine, but use distinctly local ingredients.

The 180g Australian prime beef tenderloin ($27) is served with a baked cheese mussel atop, a slivered potato gratin tower and an array of carrots and courgettes, placed abstractly around the plate.

Served rare, the meat is dense and succulent and surrounded by a swirl of Cambodia’s iconic peppers in gravy.

The green mango salad with Australian scallops ($9.50) is a play on the traditional mango salad eaten across Southeast Asia.

The dish is elevated to mango three-ways with fried scallops and a dusting of peanuts. Delicate and buttery the scallops pulled apart easily and dipped in the fresh mango puree or eaten with a sliver of sour green mango, or mango julienne, made for a sweet and zesty sensation.

Another take on an Asian favourite is the deconstructed red curry with duck ($15.50).

The confit duck leg, a French speciality, sat amongst charcoal roasted peppers and Thai green eggplants. The sauce is light and spicy with a dash of cinnamon, a spice regular to Cambodian cuisine.

“We are where international meets local,” says the hotel’s communication executive, Many Pen. “Asian taste and Western taste is different, we want them both to have something to discover.”

For a unique, modern taste of Cambodian flavours lightly infusing French, Italian and British cuisine, head to Sun & Moon, which also serves food from its ground floor restaurant, Salt ‘N’ Pepper.

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TASTE OF THE MIDDLE EAST 35 Street 19, Phnom Penh. Tel: 098 713 443. Open Saturday to Thursday, from 11am to 10pm.

Boasting authentic flavours, Taste of the Middle East has been appeasing appetites with its home-cooked dishes since opening in 2014. Editor Marissa Carruthers and photographer Lucas Veuve sample the menu.

It would be easy to drive past Taste of the Middle East, an unassuming ground floor eatery with a banner hanging above the door announcing its presence, but to ignore the no frills restaurant would be an injustice.

Sometimes it’s the simpler things in life that have the most to offer.

What it may lack in décor, it certainly makes up for with its menu, which boasts a plethora of Arab dishes, all made with loving care in the kitchen. And it’s this that has given the restaurant its glowing reputation across the capital.

Having fled the fighting that has crippled his homeland of Iraq, Hashim Fahram opened the restaurant in May 2014.

Operating it alone for the first six months, his wife and five sons joined him six months 50 AsiaLIFE Cambodia

later. Despite the family having no experience in the restaurant business, with his wife Muna heading the kitchen with her excellent home-cooking skills, the Halal restaurant quickly made a name for itself.

The menu spans the region, with Fatit hummus ($5), shawarma ($6), foal ($5) and a range of salads, soups, sandwiches and wraps. We started with one of the restaurant’s signature dishes, the Iraqi biryani.

Offered in chicken ($7) and lamb ($12), Fahram’s son Ahmed guided us towards the lamb. “You won’t be disappointed,” he promised.

It did not disappoint, with the fragrant dish pleasing the palate. In line with Halal preparations, the lamb is bought

live before being slaughtered by a friend, who is a Muslim butcher. The meat is then boiled four times before being cooked so it falls off the bone easily.

Served on a bed of yellow Basmati rice, with a few peas and diced carrots thrown in, the dish is a delightful fusion of flavours, with the saffron shining through.

The chicken tabsi ($5) was up next. With the dish originating in Turkey, the Iraqi twist sees aubergines, potatoes, garlic, onions, tomato sauce and barbecue sauce mixed together.

A chicken thigh is cooked separately in a barbecue-style sauce before being plated and the tabsi sauce drizzled atop to add a warm spicy flavour.

We combined this with some fattoush ($3); a bread salad that originates from the Levant.

Refreshing and light it consists of pita bread doused in olive oil and then fried before being cut into squares and placed on diced tomatoes, cucumber and lettuce, with a sprinkling of salt and spices thrown into the mix.

The falafel ($3) is another popular dish. Made from chickpeas that are soaked in water for 10 hours before being mixed with salt, barbecue powder and a special Iraqi powder mix of spices, the seven balls served on pita bread are soft and tasty.

They come with a side salad and generous serving of smooth hummus.

With plenty more on the menu, indulging in an authentic taste of the Middle East in the centre of Phnom Penh couldn’t be easier.

8

CITY DRINKS

Sundown Social Club 86 Street 440, Phnom Penh.

Open Tuesday to Sunday, from 5pm to 11pm.

Sundown Social Club brings the flare of Miami to Russian Market, complete with tiki cocktails and Astroturf.

Words by Erin Hale; photography by Enric Català.

Sundown Social Club is best enjoyed – as the name suggests – at sunset, with views overlooking Russian Market. Situated on the top floor of an apartment building that skirts the busy phsar, it offers a sweeping view of the market’s tin rooftops and the busy street scenes below. It’s a great spot to hit after work, with a specialty tropical cocktail in hand for Phnom Penh’s golden hour.

Aussie bar owners Nathan Headlam and Brendan McCarthy have worked hard to create a unique and relaxing atmosphere with strong Miami vibes circa 1980, with the beach view swapped out for something a bit grungier.

The retro tropical feel starts with the pink flamingo logo, emblazoned in neon lights above the bar, and extends through the cocktail list to the wicker furniture and Astroturf flooring.

They’ve streamlined out the kitsch though, so overall the bar feels fresh and modern rather than an homage to Scarface.

It’s a very different vibe to what’s on offer at Headlam and McCarthy’s other nearby venue, Long After Dark. At Sundown Social, they’ve swapped the whiskey and dark wood for tiki cocktails and rum made with fresh fruit ingredients.

One of the best examples is the piña colada ($5.75), a frothy cocktail that comes served in a fresh hollowed-out pineapple. It’s sweet without being treacly, much

like the banana daiquiri ($4.75).

While the term “daiquiri” often evokes a fruity frappe drink, this version comes shaken and served straight up in a cocktail glass. The house cocktail list is rounded out with a mai tai ($5), rum Rangoon ($6) and the Zombie ($6.75), a shaken rum cocktail with several varieties of fruit juice and a dash of grenadine and apricot liquor.

The most popular drinks, may be the cocktail jugs ($14) which serve four glasses. They come in three varieties for now – tequila, peach ice tea, lychee gin, and a classic Pimm’s – Headlam says the bar plans to expand the line to eight varieties. While less strong than the flagship cocktails, they still offer a refreshing fruity drink.

The after-work crowd will also be happy to find a small food menu for sharing. Designed with street food favourites in mind, it includes tasty fish tacos ($5.50 for two) that come battered and lightly fried, with a spicy chipotle sauce in a tortilla. Other main dishes include the grilled pork and vermicelli noodles ($4.75) and the barbecued pulledjackfruit burger with fries ($5).

Open just a few weeks, Sundown Social still has limited hours but Hedlam and McCarthy want the bar to be a late afternoon and evening spot rather than a late-night venue. While the bar opens at 5pm, check Facebook in the coming months as they plan to open at noon once operations are fully rolling.

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TheSmallestDetails

SINH HAK HOUT Words by Jessica Tana.

Photography by Enric Català.

52 AsiaLIFE Cambodia

F

ear not, because on ground level the design of Branch III of Sinh Hak Hout Home Mart has a bathroom showroom large enough to lose yourself in. It is a maze of uniquely decorated bathrooms and toilets, a cacophony of glistening tiles surrounding, white porcelain tubs, mirrors and thrones. Like peeping into strangers’ homes, the bathrooms exhibit one of Sinh Hak Hout’s signature lifestyle designs: elegant, modern, romantic, explorer or vintage.

There is the New York-themed bathroom, complete with miniature Empire State building and a framed photograph of New York City; a 60s-style bathroom, with painted cabinets and funky tile patterns; or there is the young-at-heart, pebbled tile bathroom, with a multicoloured clock. A recurring theme, being the highend fixtures and stylish vanities. Each bathroom looks as though it belongs in a luxury home or high-end apartment complex.

There is also a huge range of showers and baths.

Ranging from simple designs, to those complete with water jets and more knobs than the average person knows what to do with. In the centre of the showroom is a round, porcelain bath, wide enough to fit a family.

The pièce de résistance, however, is a large floor-toceiling shower complete with wall jets, with a wooden sauna attached to it through a sliding door in the shower.

The sauna has a small sitting space and coals heaped on a shelf in the corner. There is even a

traditional wooden bucket and spoon, and a small window to complete the scene.

Starting out as a 50-square metre retail space in 1999, Sinh Hak Hout has come a long way. There are now three branches in Phnom Penh, branch III for bathrooms and tiles, branch II for furniture, and branch I stocking a little bit of everything. There is also a sister store specialising in Teka kitchen appliances. Ranging from tiles, sanitary wares, kitchen cabinets, kitchen appliances and furniture, the three branches together cover the gamut of house wares in Cambodia.

Tiles can vastly improve a drab looking bathroom and at Branch III, tiles are the specialty. Polished and rustic porcelain tiles are popular as they are hardier than ceramic, and can be used for the floor, inside and out, as well as, bathroom and kitchen walls. These are the pebbled or colourful tiles used in most of the showroom bathrooms. Ceramic tiles made from sand and natural products are glazed, but less flexible. They are popular for decorative borders, to finish off a wall, and come in more traditional styles, such as marbled or with floral embellishments.

Sinh Hak Hout caters to both customers remodelling their homes and developers building apartment blocks.

Whether they need a shower head or an automated steam room, one square metre of ceramic tile or 10,000. Sinh Hak Hout offers stylistic, comfortable and affordable ideas for every home and workspace.

Sinh Hak Hout Showroom 353ABC Mao Tse Tong Blvd, Phnom Penh. Tel: 023 881 788.

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Photographer: Peter Bruyns Model: Soriyan Hang Hair, makeup and styling: Ryan at The Dollhouse

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LISTINGS

Tel: 023 219 911

hotel & travel

Korean Air 254 R03 Monivong Blvd.

Phnom Penh Tel: 023 224 047 023 224 049

Airlines Air Asia Domestic Terminal Arrival Office A17 Phnom Penh International Airport Tel: 023 890 035 Asiana Airlines Room A16 Phnom Penh International Airport Tel: 023 890 441

Term 4 enrolment Full and half day programs from Early Learning to Pre-school Term starts 18th April NO CAPITAL FEE until August

Call 017 373 376 for more infomation No. 4A, Street 75, Sangkat Sraschark Phnom Penh canta.pdf 1 1/12/2016 8:54:51 AM Princeton School Phnom Penh www.princeton-school.com

Bangkok Airways 61A Street 214 Phnom Penh Tel: 023 722 545 Bassaka Air 335 Preah Sihanouk Blvd.

Phnom Penh Tel: 023 217 688 Cambodia Angkor Air 206A Preah Norodom Blvd. Phnom Penh Tel: 023 666 6788 Cambodia Bayon Airlines 174ABCD, Mao Tse Toung Blvd.

Phnom Penh Tel: 023 231 555 Cebu Pacific Air 333B Preah Monivong Blvd Phnom Penh Tel: 023 219 161 China Airlines 32 Preah Norodom Blvd.

Phnom Penh Tel: 023 222 056 China Eastern 68 Street 606 Phnom Penh Tel: 016 985 668 / 016 985 304 China Southern Room F-G-H-I, Ground floor 53 Phnom Penh Hotel, Monivong Blvd Tel: 023 424 588 DragonAir 168 Monireth Blvd Phnom Penh Tel: 023 424 300

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Jet Star Asia 333B Monivong Blvd Phnom Penh Tel: 023 220 909

Lao Airlines 58B Preah Sihanouk Blvd.

Phnom Penh Tel: 023 222 956 Malaysia Airlines 35-37 Street 214, Phnom Penh Tel: 023 218 923 023 218 924 Myanmar Airways International 90-94Eo Charles de Gaulle (Street 217) Phnom Penh Tel: 023 866 404 Qatar Airways 296 Mao Tse Toung Blvd.

Ground floor, Intercontinental Hotel Phnom Penh.

Skywing Asia Airlines IOC building Monivong Blvd.

Tel: 023 217130 Silk Air Regency Complex C, Suite 2-4 Samdach Monireth Blvd Tel: 023 988 629 Thai Airways 294 Mao Tse Toung Blvd.

Phnom Penh Tel: 023 214 359 Tiger Airways 296 Mao Tse Toung Blvd.

Intercontinental Hotel, Suite 16B Phnom Penh Tel: 023 5515 888 Vietnam Airlines 41 Street 214 Phnom Penh Tel: 023 215 998

Kampot Bokor Mountain Lodge Riverfront Tel: 033 932 314 017 712 062 Beautiful French colonial building situated on riverfront with well-fitted air-conditioned rooms.

Has a good restaurant and bar.

Epic Arts Café Old Market Street Employing deaf staff, this café next to the old market has a good range of bagels, shakes,

brownies and coffee. Is also the centre for the community arts programme. Open from 7am-6pm.

Les Manguiers 2km north of Kampot Tel: 092 330 050 Small resort with bungalows and rooms set in beautiful gardens overlooking the river with a restaurant which has daily changing menu and freshly prepared food.

Mea Culpa 44 Sovansokar Tel: 012 504 769 Email: meaculpakampot@gmail.com Accommodation established by the former manager of Bokor Mountain Lodge set in the French Quarter. Six rooms have AC, hot water, DVD and TV. The large garden has a patio pizzeria and bar.

Rikitikitavi Riverfront Tel: 0 12 274 820 012 235 102 www.rikitikitavi-kampot.com Western food served in large portions in this river-facing restaurant, bar and three-room guesthouse. A more upmarket venue for Kampot, the upstairs seating affords great sunset views.

Restaurant and bar open daily.

Rusty Keyhole Riverside Road Tel: 012 679 607 Friendly British owner has recreated the atmosphere of a rural British pub in outer Kampot, or at least as close as it gets. The ribs remain as good as ever. Open 8.30am until midnight.

Kep Knai Bang Chatt Resort Tel: 078 888 557 www.knaibangchatt.com An exclusive resort offering personal service in private grounds housing a collection of remodeled 1960’s style colonial villas. Offering 18 rooms, infinity pool, spa and media centre.

All rooms refurbished to international standards.

Choice of two dining options – upscale The Strand or the adjoining Sailing Club.

Le Bout du Monde Tel: 011 964 181 www.leboutdumondekep.com Individual and separate bungalows in traditional Khmer architecture located on a hill-top with good views and nice gardens. Serves French and Khmer cuisine. Rooms have hot water, mini-bar, fan and safe.

Spring Valley Resort /Mr. Mab Tel: 036 666 6673 mrmab.com www.springvalley-resort.com Spring Valley Resort, at the base of Kep National Park, is just a short walk to the beach. The rooms are scattered throughout vibrant green gardens, connected by walkways that wind through vines, trees and flowering plants.

Their restaurant, Mr Mab takes a fresh look at traditional Khmer street food.

Villa S’aat Tel: 017 383 185 www.villa-kep.com Elegant and spacious villa for rent in Kep during holidays and weekends. Located around 2km from the crab market, with spacious rooms, fully equipped kitchen, swimming pool, large terrace, garden and household staff. Maximum capacity of 12 guests.

Phnom Penh – Apartments Bellevue Serviced Apartments 68 Tonle Sap Street Tel: 023 432 999 www.bellevueservicedapartments.com Located in a deluxe hotel complex on the riverbank of the Tonle Sap, Bellevue offers spacious, contemporary accommodation 10 minutes away from the city.

Himawari Hotel Apartments

313 Sisowath Quay Tel: 023 214 555 Email: reservation@himawari.com.kh www.himawarihotel.com Choose from panoramic views of the Mekong Delta or the city skyline backdrop with the Royal Palace, the spacious and well-appointed suites are a home away from home, both for tourists and long-stay guests. Amenities include fullyequipped kitchen, daily housekeeping services, international pool, fitness centre, tennis court, spa and various food and beverage outlets.

Season Residence Apartments 109-133, Street 144 Tel: 0 23 990 628 012 457 408 www.seasonresidence.com Season Residence is self-catered accommodation located only 9km from the airport. Featuring spacious apartments with free Wi-Fi access.

Silvertown Metropolitan 251 Street 63 www.silvertowncambodia.com Located in BKK1, one of the most vibrant neighbourhoods of Phnom Penh, the fully serviced apartments take everyday living and lifestyle at the highest quality. Features include a tranquil rooftop skybar and infinity swimming pool.

Sokea Suites Extended Stay 168 Monireth Blvd. www.sokeasuites.com The 21 apartments ranging from 37 m2 to 95 m2 are designed with one idea in mind: to make guests feel at home in Phnom Penh.

TAMASA Serviced Apartment Located next to Cambodia Country Club Tel: 023 995 594 The 26 rooms all have different designs and layouts. A café is located on the ground floor of the building and it also has an infinity pool on the top floor, which is opened for residents and guests.

Phnom Penh – Deluxe

InterContinental 296 Mao Tse Toung Blvd.

Tel: 023 424 888 www.ihg.com One of Phnom Penh’s most luxurious 5-star hotels, the 346 air-con rooms have all the expected facilities including in-room safes and king size beds. Also has a large swimming pool, a fitness centre and spa.

Raffles Hotel Le Royal Street 92 Tel: 023 981 888 www.raffles.com/phnom-penh/ Emanates the same class as its more famous namesake in Singapore. The Elephant Bar is a popular expat haunt during the 4pm to 8pm happy hour.

Sofitel Phnom Penh Phokeethra 26 Old August Site, Sothearos Blvd.

Tel: 023 999 200 www.sofitel.com Set on the riverside amongst landscaped gardens this 12-storey, 5-star colonial style hotel is close to key attractions, embassies and the central business district.

Phnom Penh – Mid The Billabong Hotel 5 Street 158 Tel: 023 223 703 www.thebillabonghotel.com Phnom Penh’s premier boutique family hotel with 41 well-appointed rooms surrounding a large free form salt water swimming pool. Poolside alfresco dining.

Mito Hotel 11 Street 174, corner Monivong Blvd.

(North of Wat Koh Pagoda) Tel: 023 213 999 023 220 188 023 220 199 Email: reservation@mitohotel.com www.mitohotel.com Mito Hotel is a newly renovated business hotel in the heart of Phnom Penh. Blessed with premier

AsiaLIFE Cambodia 55

central location, diverse international clientele of business men, entrepreneurs, adventures with affordable luxury. Mito Hotel is the preferred choice for business and leisure travellers.

Rambutan Resort 29 Street 71 Tel: 017 992 240 www.rambutanresort.com Urban modern oasis located in a quiet residential area only 5 minutes from all major sights in Phnom Penh. Deluxe pool view and garden rooms with outdoor bathtubs. Salt water pool and private spa room for some unwinding treatments.

The 252 Boutique Hotel 19 Street 252 Tel: 023 998 252 www.the-252.com Conveniently located close to major attractions, the small boutique hotel offers a quiet and peaceful retreat from the bustling city. Spacious and stylishly decorated rooms with all amenities, swimming pool surrounded by a leafy tropical garden, outdoor restaurant and bar.

Mid-Range

www.thequayhotel.com Five-storey, 16-room riverside boutique hotel has beautiful contemporary rooms designed by Gary Fell. The stand-out features are the rooftop Jacuzzi and the very contemporary groundfloor bar and Chow Restaurant with WiFi. Samsara Villa Boutique Hotel 43z5, Street 466, Phnom Penh.

Tel: 0 11 562 629 023 219 136 www.samsaravilla.com Located in a quiet alley, between Aeon Mall and Russian Market, 15min from Riverside and Central Market, Samsara Villa is charming, peaceful with a small but luxurious garden, a pool, 20 rooms, restaurant & bar open from 7am to 10pm, transportation & tours.

Tama Hotel Phnom Penh Tower – The H22 Phnom Penh Tower, 22nd Floor Tel: 023 964 020 www.d22h22.com

LISTINGS

Almond Hotel 128f Sothearos Bld. Tel: 023 220 822 Owned by Cambodia’s top chef, Luu Meng, this hotel boasts 70 guest rooms, and is aimed at the visiting business community. Tasty dim sun is served from the ground floor restaurant, YiSang.

Sister hotel about to open close to Aeon Mall.

The Artist Guesthouse 69 Street 178 Tel: 023 213 930 www.the-artist-guesthouse.com Located across from the National Museum, The Artist is an 11-bedroom guesthouse has a modern feel.

The Quay Sisowath Quay Tel: 023 224 894

siem reap Bars Laundry Bar Old Market Extremely chilled music bar just off Pub Street with great mellow decor and extremely cool

Find Yourself at The Lost Room

‘Eclectic plates for sharing’ Monday-Saturday 5pm to late

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siem reap

Temple Trippin’ Sarah Brown While those of us living in Siem Reap are lucky enough to have a spectacular archaeological park a stone’s throw from our doorstep, it’s worth remembering that Cambodia is home to many magnificent temples outside of Siem Reap.

If you fancy enjoying some of the Kingdom’s lesser known ruins, and are in the mood for a weekend adventure, here are my recommendations.

The most comfortable temple escape option in the Siem Reap area is Sambor Prei Kuk, located in Kampong Thom province. While you could technically visit these pre-Angkorian ruins in a day trip from Siem Reap, why not make a weekend of it and spend a night or two in nearby Kampong Thom town?

For budget travellers, you can buy a bus ticket, which usually means getting on a bus to Phnom Penh and hopping off at Kampong Thom, and stay at a local guesthouse. I’d recommend Arunras Hotel, which is centrally located – as in, the bus usually stops across the road – and the proud owner of Kampong Thom’s only elevator.

For a more luxurious trip take a private taxi and stop at Sambor Village Hotel.

Banteay Chmaar, on the other hand, is a beautiful – and blissfully quiet – Angkorian ruin located close to the Thai border. Not so long ago, getting to Banteay Chmaar was a long and

uncomfortable experience, but new roads mean you can now get there in about 2.5 hours from Siem Reap by taxi.

A well-established community based tourism project offers comfortable homestays, and can arrange bike rides, temple tours and other activities. By far my favourite experience there was a candle-lit dinner among the temple ruins – something you’d be hard-pushed to get away with in Siem Reap.

For more information, visit visitbanteaychhmar.org.

While Banteay Chmaa is considerably quieter than Siem Reap it is still on the tourist trail – just about –, so you may be better suited to those looking for “adventure lit”.

If you’re an intrepid soul and are looking for something off the beaten track, skip Banteay Chmaa and head further afield to Preah Kahn temple. Located in Preah Vihear province, this temple is vast but lonesome – friends that recently made an overnight trip didn’t come across another visitor – which, for some, is reason enough to make the journey.

The distance from Siem Reap makes it worth considering staying over night, but this is definitely more of a “figure it out as you go along” scenario than Banteay Chmaa, which can be booked in advance. There are some basic homestay options available close to the temple, and are available on a first come, first serve basis.

t-shirts. Free drink during the 6pm-9pm washing hours. Open 6pm until late.

Linga Bar Alley behind Pub Street Tel: 012 246 912 www.lingabar.com Laid back, gay-friendly bar with extremely chilled Buddha Bar tunes and amazing light boxes. Range of cocktails. Open 5pm until late.

Mezze 13a (1st floor) Street 11 Tel: 097 766 7343 mezze.siemreap@gmail.com www.mezzesiemreap.com Enjoy signature cocktails, original Cuban cigars, fine Champagne and fusion tapas.

Open daily 6pm-1am.

Miss Wong Lane off Pub Street Tel: 092 428 332 Imagine yourself in China at the turn of the last century and you won’t go much wrong in Miss Wong with excellent and original cocktails and dim sum. Open late.

Nest Sivutha Blvd.

Tel: 063 966 381 Up-market drinking and dining, serving light Mediterranean and Asian food in a unique, highly stylised setting, with loungers and table settings.

The Warehouse Old Market Tel: 012 530 227 Popular expat bar plays great music with good fusion cuisine. Best stocked bar in town and homemade infused vodkas. Open 10am-3am.

Galleries Happy Cambodia Gallery 2 Hospital Street, next to Pub Street Tel: 063 963 114

www.happypainting.net The distinctive and highly colourful work created by long-time Cambodian expat artist Stef.

McDermott Gallery I & II FCC Complex Pokambor Avenue/Alley behind Pub Street Tel: 092 668 181 www.mcdermottgallery.com Two galleries devoted to photographic works.

With permanent exhibition of photographs taken

by John McDermott. Open 10am-10pm.

Hotels Belmond La Residence DÁngkor River Road Tel: 0845 0772 222 Having undergone a revamp, the all-suite hotel boasts newly-designed interiors, lush lanfdscaped gardens surrounding a salt water pool, a deluxe poolside suite, 20 poolside junior suites, 12 garden junior suites, eight deluxe studio suites and 18 junior suites.

Lynnaya Urban River Resort & Spa Tel: 063 967 755 www.lynnaya.com A luxury resort equipped with swimming pool, spa and restaurant.

Prince D’Angkor Hotel & Spa Sivatha Blvd.

Tel: 063 763 888 Email: info@princedangkor.com www.princedangkor.com Experience ultimate luxury and bask in the splendor of elegance at the Prince D’ Angkor Hotel & Spa, the perfect base from which to explore the legendary Angkor temples.

Rambutan Hotels & Resorts Phum Wat Damnak, Kum Sala Komreuk, Krom 10 Tel: 0 12 654 638 063 766 655 Email: bookings@rambutansr.com

www.rambutans.info The former Golden Banana resort has been rebranded but contains the same deluxe suites and villas in modern Asian style build around a salt-water pool. Private balcony or terrace with outdoor bathtub/splash shower. LBGT-friendly.

www.artisansdangkor.com Learn about the meticulous process of silkmaking and traditional silk weaving. Free shuttle bus departing from Artisans Angkor’s shop in Siem Reap centre to the Angkor Silk Farm from 9.30am-1.30pm. Open daily from 8am-5pm

Sokkhak Boutique Resort Kok Chork village, Wat Thmey Tel: 063 765 697/ 063 765 698 www.sokkhak-boutiqueresort.com Stay in either one of the two suites, four junior suites or five uniquely deluxe rooms and one classic standard room, decorated in a homely style.

Helicopters Cambodia 658 Hup Quan Street.

Tel: 063 963 316 Professionally run company with flights over the temples and beyond in modern, safe helicopters.

Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra Golf & Spa Resort Vithei Charles de Gaulle Tel: 063 964 600 063 964 610 www.sofitel.com Ultimate in comfort and refinement, combining the traditional architecture of Cambodia with elegant French colonial style. Five-star accommodation, swimming pool, spa and international standard 18-hole 72par golf course Templation Route du Petit Pont Tel: 063 969 345 From the masterminds behind The Plantation and Pavilion in Phnom Penh, Templation offers a slice of soerenity from the madding temple crowds. Boasting a secret lake, swimming pool reflecting majestic palm trees, a vast expanse of tropical flora and 33 living spaces, most with their own private pool.

Leisure Angkor Silk Farm Puok District (20min from Siem Reap downtown) Tel: 063 555 5768

Phare, The Cambodian Circus Behind Angkor National Museum on Komay Road Tel: 015 499 480.

A unique professional Cambodian theatrical circus show mixing traditional and modern artistic skills. Daily at 7.30pm.

Phokeethra Country Club Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra Vithei Charles de Gaulle Tel: 056 396 4600 reservation.angkor@phokeethragolf.com International standard 18-hole, 72-par golf course 16km outside of Siem Reap. Clubhouse facilities: pro shop, rental equipment, restaurant.

Sam Veasna Centre Wat Bo Area Tel: 063 963 710 Some of the rarest birds in Asia can be seen at Prek Toal and Ang Trapang Thmor, a day-trip from Siem Reap, or combine bird watching with temple trips to Koh Ker and Beng Melea.

Pharmacies U-Care Pharmacies Old market Tel: 063 965 396 Lucky Mall Tel: 063 966 68 Siem Reap Airport Tel: 063 766049 Sivatha Street Tel: 063 763 399 International cosmetic brands.

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T H E B E S T N Z W I N E R Y J U S T G OT A W A R D E D

BEST NZ WINE�Y

LISTINGS

food & drink Cafés Blue Pumpkin 245 Sisowath Quay, and at Monument Books on Norodom Blvd.

Tel: 023 998 153 At multiple locations in Phnom Penh, serving breakfast sets, Asian and Western entrées and an array of ice cream flavours in air-conditioned comfort. Open daily from 6am-11pm.

Brown Coffee & Bakery 17 Street 214, and other locations throughout the city.

Tel: 023 217 262 Stylish, locally owned café with bakery on the premises serves a variety of coffees and pastries, with the green tea latte a house speciality. Open 7.30am-8pm.

Café Yejj 170 Street 450 Tel: 012 543 360 092 600 750 Quiet, cosy café serving bistro-style Western cuisine, with extensive range of coffees, pasta dishes, pannini and wraps and fabulous cheesecake, making this an ideal spot to escape the bustle of the nearby Russian Market. Open every day from 7am-9pm.

The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf 30 Street 57 Tel: 023 988 027 Peaceful coffee shop with different locations in town (BKK1, Phnom Penh Tower, Vattanac Tower & Aeon Mall) provides you good quality products and excellent service.

Daughters of Cambodia 65E0 Street 178 / 130A Street 430 Tel: 077 657 678 www.daughtersofcambodia.org The café serve light lunches, a few main courses, home baked goods, desserts, coffee and some original smoothies. Provides vocational training, where trainees have the opportunity to graduate to top end restaurants and hotels. There’s also a shop selling clothing, accessories and jewellery made on site, or relax in the spa which offers head, shoulder, face and foot treatments. The Street 430 venue also has a children’s play area.

Java Café & Gallery 56 Sihanouk Blvd.

Tel: 023 987 420 Great coffees, salads, mix-and-match sandwiches and juices served in an elegant setting. The upstairs terrace, overlooking the Independence Monument, is a good place to watch the chaos below, while the downstairs space is a great place for coffee and catching up on your emails. Has exhibitions both upstairs and down. Open 7am-10pm.

The Deli 13 Street 178.Tel: 012 851 234 The Deli is a simple Bistro Gourmet where the chef changes half the menu every few weeks and the wines per glass are selected to sit alongside the dishes to help customers make the perfect pairing.

The Shop 39 Street 240, Tel: 092 955 963 023 986 964 Stylish café, with a wide range of fresh bread,

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tempting patisseries and juices, excellent salads and sandwiches. Crowded at lunchtime, but the small, cool courtyard at the back creates a perfect haven from the sun. Has a Chocolate Shop three doors along, and a second outlet in Tuol Kork. Open 7am-7pm Mon to Sat, 7am-3pm Sun.

Cambodian Khmer Surin 9 Street 57 Tel: 012 887 320 Elegant restaurant featuring wood and silk décor with a tropical garden that serves Cambodian and Thai favourites. Dishes are well prepared and large enough to share.

La Table Khmère 11E Street 278 Tel: 012 238 068 www.la-table-khmere.com Taste the flavour of traditional Khmer specialities and fusion cuisine in a stylish ambience and atmosphere on Street 278.

Also serving Western dishes. Open daily from 11am-11pm.

Malis 136 Norodom Bvd Tel: 023 221 022 www.malis-restaurant.com Beautiful modern Khmer restaurant with a courtyard set around narrow water channels and decorated with terracotta floor tiles. Has air-con rooms inside for those who find the midday sun too much. The cuisine is modern Khmer, with no MSG. Open 6am-10pm.

Romdeng 74 Street 174 Tel: 092 219 565 Romdeng serves Cambodian food that ranges from almost forgotten recipes from the provinces to contemporary creative Cambodian cuisine. It is set in a beautiful colonial building featuring wooden carvings, tables, chairs and unique lights all hand-made in Cambodia. Open daily from 11am-10.30pm (kitchen closes at 9.30pm).

Chinese Emperors of China 19 Street 163 Tel: 097 929 2699 Up-market Chinese restaurant, popular with the capital’s large Chinese community, private dining rooms, specialises in Peking duck and dim sum.

Fortune Palace NagaWorld, Hun Sen Park Chinese restaurant with authentic Greater Chinese cuisine and all-you-can-eat Dim Sum buffet on Sundays. Open from 11am-3pm and 5pm-10pm.

Fu Lu Zu Sofitel Phnom Penh Phokeethra 26 Old August Site, Sothearos Blvd Tel: 023 999 200 x 6613 Elegant Chinese restaurant specialising in contemporary Cantonese delicacies and dim sum with private rooms for intimate ambience. Open from 11.30am- 2.30pm and 6.30pm-10.30pm. Dim Sum weekend from 8am-2.30pm.

World Dining 2/F Aeon Mall, 132 Samdach Sothearos Blvd, Tel: 023 90 17 77 Food Court that brings streetfood to the sanctuary of the Mall with 12 booths serving food from Cambodia and around the World. The Cambodian cuisine includes some fantastic, fresh and cheap bahn chhev pancakes, while there are steaks, Indian, Italian, Singapore chicken and rice, pho and chinese food from Yi Sang as cosmopolitan alternatives. Open 9am to 10pm.

Xiang Palace InterContinental Phnom Penh 2/F, 296 Mao Tse Toung Blvd

Tel: 023 424 888 x 3562 Xiang Palace is locally acclaimed for its authentic Cantonese cuisine and delicious dim sum, all prepared with the finest ingredients.

Open daily for lunch and dinner.

Amanjaya with an excellent steak menu and good value happy hour from 6pm-8pm Fridays.

Now has a brasserie menu with daily specials.

Also has free WiFi. Open 6.30am until midnight.

Daily happy hour from 5:30pm to 7:30pm.

Yi Sang Chinese Restaurant 128F Sothearos Blvd Tel: 023 220 922 www.almondhotel.com.kh Set on the ground floor of the Almond Hotel, this stylish restaurant specialises in Cantonese food that fuses the traditional with the contemporary, including excellent dim sum.

Open from 6.30am-10am, 11.30am-2pm and 5.30pm-10pm. Dim Sum not served in the evening.

La Residence Restaurant 22/24 Street 214 Tel: 023 224 582 Fine dining on an international scale in this sophisticated restaurant, where French classics meet gourmet, modern cuisine. Open from 11.30am-2pm and 6.30pm-10.30pm.

French

Comme à la Maison 13 Street 57 Tel: 012 951 869 www.commealamaison-delicatessen.com Sophisticated French restaurant with a beautiful outdoor terrace area at the front, yet secluded from the street. One of the best French kitchens in town. Small delicatessen at the back of the restaurant. Open daily from 6am-10.30pm.

The D22 Dining & Bar Phnom Penh Tower 22nd Floor – Inside Tama Hotel Phnom Penh Tel: 023 964 021 http://tamahomecambodia.jp/tamahotel/ The dining offers French bistro cuisine where you get to enjoy the dishes that go well with wines. The bar has a great selection of wines and also offers cigars that can add spice to your night. Dining 6.30pm-10pm, bar 4.30pm-midnight.

K West 1 Street 154, cnr. Sisowath Quay Tel: 023 214 747 Stylish aircon bar and restaurant below the

Le Gourmet NagaWorld Hotel and Casino, Hun Sen Park.

Tel: 023 228 822 Quality ingredients come together in beautiful presentation on the plate, with the luxury of the surroundings complemented by professional and attentive service. Open daily from 12pm-3pm and 6pm-10pm.

Restaurant Le Royal Raffles Hotel Le Royal Tel: 023 981 888 www.raffles.com Treat yourself to the finest French & Khmer cuisine in one of Indochina’s most elegant restaurants. The Chef’s Degustation menu allows you to try a myriad of dishes in a single meal in a refined atmosphere. Private rooms are available on request. Open from 6.30pm10.30pm.

Topaz 182 Norodom Blvd.

Tel: 012 346 555 / 023 221 622 Sophisticated, air-con restaurant with outside dining, upstairs bar, wine shop, cigar room and private rooms. One of Phnom Penh’s finest restaurants. Has a popular piano bar, night club upstairs. Open 11am-2pm, 6pm-11pm.

Van’s Restaurant 5 Street 102 Tel: 023 722 067

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French fine-dining in a grand setting awaits at Van’s, located on the second floor of a well preserved colonial-era building near the Post Office. Has an excellent value set lunch. Open daily 11.30am-2.30pm, 5pm-10.30pm.

kids’ corner

Indian Sub-Continent Dosa Corner 15 Street 51 Tel: 012 673 276 This small South Indian restaurant has a wide range of very good value dosa as well as thali and biryani dishes. Air-conditioned. Open 7am-10pm.

New Parents: Communicating Emotions Anna Glazkova “We are emotional instruments,” stated Lesley Greenberg, founder of Emotion Focused Therapy, in his workshop in Hong Kong last month.

Think of it… don’t you find there is something fundamentally wrong with our society that often bans the expression of our emotions.

“Boys don`t cry”, “No you are not hungry, you just ate”, “This does not hurt, it`s just a scratch”. We hear those words over and over when we are children, so it is no surprise we don’t express our feelings easily in adulthood.

If what one feels is not validated by the closest relationships, the individual closes himself up into maladaptive schemas that won’t really serve in life.

We feel particularly vulnerable and fragile when we become parents for the first time. It is a huge adjustment into the new step in life. This isn’t just a transition, it is about taking on a whole new role. And the couple and family therapists will agree, a number of romantic relationships go through the real tough life tests in those moments.

An example, when one of the partners takes care of the new born while the other financially supports the family.

The stay-at-home partner will naturally seek additional support and adult interaction after spending the whole day with the baby. What often

happens is that the working partner will need some quite time in the evening after spending a long day at work.

Therefore, the more one partner seeks interaction, the more the other withdraws.

This, or other negative interaction cycles, creates frustration and pain in both partners. They start to feel that they drift apart. This is a crucial moment in their relationship, and it is important to communicate their respective emotions.

When I say emotions, I mean primary emotions.

Primary emotions are the underlying emotions, the very first emotions one feels in the particular situation.

Unfortunately, we often do communicate our secondary emotions, the ones that cover up our true feelings and thoughts. These are our defences, and they serve a function of protecting us from further hurt and anxiety.

As a responsible individual and parent, one needs to learn to identify his/her primary emotions – develop emotion intelligence, and act from that place. Unless, they are purely instrumental – if you don’t get this for me, I will feel sad.

It is OK to be vulnerable with your partner and communicate what you feel. Communicating from the place of your primary emotions will only make your alliance stronger and more nurturing for both of you, and the family as a whole.

Anna Glazkova is a mother of two lovely children. Founder of The Giving Tree Multilingual Preschool & Primary. Anna is completing her Masters degree at The University of Hong Kong, specialising in Marital Counselling, Emotion Focused Therapy, Psychodynamics and Satir Family Therapy.

64 AsiaLIFE Cambodia

Sher e Punjab 16 Street 130, Phnom Penh.

Tel: 092 992 901 Phnom Penh is blessed with a vast array of Indian kitchens, but many expats put this small place at the top of their list. Top Indian food, with an authentic Tandoori oven producing fine breads and grilled meats, also excellent for veggies. Open daily, 10am-10pm.

Indochine / Pan-Asian Indochine NagaWorld, Hun Sen Park With a focus on Southeast Asian cuisine, Indochine offers traditional dishes from Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand in a sophisticated space.

Open 11am-11pm.

Lemongrass 14 Street 130 Tel: 023 222 705 A boutique Asian-themed restaurant with an intimate, casual ambiance featuring classical Thai and Khmer cuisine with affordable price.

Known for authentic flavours and attractive presentation, only the best local produce and choice seafood and meats are prepared fresh daily. Open daily 10am-10pm.

Pangea Fusion Restaurant NagaWorld Hotel and Casino, Hun Sen Park Tel: 023 228 822 Pan-Asian fusion restaurant with a western flair that specialises in all-you-can-eat dinner buffets.

Open daily 6am-10.30pm.

International Aussie XL Café 205A Street 51 Tel: 023 301 301 Aussie style bistro food with quick lunch menu and a good selection of house wines and retail wines. Open 7am-11pm.

Black Bambu 29 Street 228, Phnom Penh.

Tel: 023 966 895 A not-for-profit training restaurant set up by Cambodian’s Children’s Fun, focusing on fine dining in the form of tapas-style food. With Al Schaaf in the kitchen you can be assured of the quality of the food on offer. Open Tuesday to Sunday, 8.30am to 11pm.

Café Monivong Raffles Hotel Le Royal Tel: 023 981 888 Wicker armchairs and marble tables covered with crisp white tablecloths create the perfect place to relax and linger over a delightful alfresco breakfast, lunch or dinner. Western and Asian cuisines are available buffet-style or a la carte. Private rooms are available on request.

Buffet from 6am-10am, 12pm-2.30pm, 6pm10pm. A la carte from 11am-11pm.

The Chinese House 45 Sisowath Quay, Phnom Penh.

Tel: 092 553 330 Under new management and having undergone a radical revamp, Chinese House has a fine dining restaurant upstairs serving fusion food, and a bar space downstairs, serving tapas. Still has the uber-cool vibe created by the previous management.

Doors Restaurant 18, Street 47 & 84.

Tel: 023 986 114 www.doorspp.com A hub for music, art, nightlife and food.

Experience world class Spanish cuisine and mouthwatering Tapas cooked by our resident chef. Open 11am until late.

FCC Phnom Penh 363 Sisowath Quay Tel: 023 724 014 The first stop for newcomers and it’s easy to see why. Set in a beautiful colonial house with sumptuous views across the river on one side and the National Museum to the other, it’s best to come at sunset when the streets below are most crowded, and enjoy the happy hour. Open daily from 7am-midnight.

Friends the Restaurant 215 Street 13 Tel: 012 802 072 Friends the Restaurant is a training restaurant run by Mith Samlanh, which has worked to build the futures of former street children and marginalised young people in Phnom Penh since 1994. Located near the National Museum, it is famous for its legendary frozen shakes and daiquiris and its delicious blend of Asian and Western-style tapas. Free WiFi available and a dog-friendly restaurant. Open daily from 11am–10.30pm (kitchen closes at 9.30pm).

Hummus House 95 Sisowath Quay Tel: 092 483 759 Authentic Lebanese halal cuisine, offering Middle East flavours including mezze tapas – hummus, shish kebab, baba ganouj, falafel, vegetarian and non-vegetarian kebab wraps. Delivery, takeaway, catering. Open daily from 10am until late.

Irina Russian Restaurant 22 Street 29 Tel: 012 833 524 092 833 524 www.irinacambodia.com Russian restaurant of iconic Phnom Penh status.

If you can walk out of the restaurant after hitting the vodkas then you are doing well. Open daily from 11am until the vodka runs out.

La Coupole Sofitel Phnom Penh Phokeethra 26 Old August Site, Sothearos Blvd.

Tel: 023 999 200 www.sofitel.com Casual and authentic Indochinese and French cuisine with live cooking by chefs in an open kitchen concept. Offers breakfast, lunch, dinner and the Sunday brunch, all set in a stunning restaurant with high ceilings and natural light.

La Croisette 241 Sisowath Quay Tel: 023 220 554 Riverfront restaurant with an ample outside dining area screened off by trees that serves good, reasonably-priced food, also has a cool, air-con restaurant inside. Often arranges special events. Open 7am-late.

Lone Pine Café 14 Street 282 Tel: 078 949 39 095 949 398 Colossal burgers, Memphis hunk ribs, Cajun gumbo, spicy chili, root beer barbecue pulled pork, po boys, wings, big salads, best beer list, great bourbons and fantastic margaritas. Open daily from 11.30am-2pm, 6pm-10pm (evenings only on Sunday).

Lotus Blanc 152 Street 51 Tel: 017 602 251 Run by local NGO Pour un Sourire d’Enfant, this centrally located training restaurant has a monthly changing lunch menu as well as a la carte Khmer dishes. Serves both Asian and continental breakfast. Open Monday to Saturday, 7am-10pm.

Metro Café Cnr Sisowath Quay & Street 148 Tel: 023 222 275 Cool east-meets-west decor and a chic menu offering tapas, starters and mains, comprehensive cocktail menu, favourite among

imbibe A . # 2 9 , S T. 2 8 8 ( S T. 5 5 ) W. BLACK-BAMBU.COM

A unique art deco buidling, serving an eclectic selection of creative sharing plates and main courses.

Awkward Teens Darren Gall For Bordeaux, the teen years of the 21st century have generally been awkward, somewhat difficult and challenging for their parents and guardians to nurture and coax the best out of.

The new Millennium started out promising with a very good vintage in the year 2000, the following year was also one with charm, producing considerable wines. The year 2005 was almost perfection and sent prices for Bordeaux reds sky high. Then 2009 and 2010 closed out the decade with two exceptional years.

However, it could be said that 2011 through to 2013 where very difficult years, and while I have found some early drinking and pleasing wines from 2011, one famous wine writer described the entire vintage as “forgettable�. The year 2012 faired a little better but poor weather at the time of harvest made it tricky for many. Thing slightly improved in 2013, a vintage beset by disease pressure and light, poor wines. The next year showed some improvement, certainly producing the best wines since 2010.

The weather throughout a season plays a critical role in quality. Ideally, good rains in winter are followed by a mild spring with good showers but no frosts, hail or storms. Then a warm summer, relatively dry with no extreme heat waves, followed by a mild,

long, dry autumn, creating a long slow ripening, resulting in small, concentrated berries with good, complex ripeness and anthocyanin development whilst retaining good levels of natural acidity.

Fortunately for Bordeaux, the decade seems to be finding its feet with the 2015 and 2016 vintages. While no one was hailing 2015 the vintage of the century, it is has undoubtedly produced the best wines since 2010. Margaux seems to have fared the best of the Medoc region with the 2015 wines of Saint Emillion and Pommerol on the left bank also receiving much praise.

Early indications are that 2016 looks another quality vintage, although a little more demanding on the vineyard and winery staff than the previous year. The harvest was later than recent vintages with almost no disease pressure so that grapes could achieve full ripeness. In the winery colour extraction seems universally very good and an early report I received from Cos d’Estournel in Saint Julien suggests that the reds are fresh and elegant with good depth and intensity.

The plush 2015 Bordeaux wines are for drinking, while it would seem the firm tannins in the 2016 wines suggest they will age a while longer and take a little more time in the cellar to reach their peak.

Darren Gall has spent a quarter of a century involved in virtually every aspect of the wine industry and the passionate pursuit of the next great bottle continues. gall.darren@yahoo.com.

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which is the Espresso Martini, Metro also offers a range of classic breakfasts and an elegant lunch spot with free wifi in an air-con and smoke-free (until 10pm) atmosphere. Open daily 9.30am-1am.

Mike’s Burger House Russian Blvd. Tel: 012 633 971 Hugely popular burger bar that serves food with plastic knives and forks and equally plastic New York Steakhouse 264 Street 63 (cnr Mao Tse Tung Blvd.)

Tel: 023 987 500 Indulge in a seductive dining experience in the famed Phnom Penh Steak restaurant. The innovative menu features New-York Steakhouse signature prime cuts of beef charred to perfection accompanied by decadent sides and desserts.

Open Daily from 11am-2pm and 3pm-midnight.

Oscar Bistro 159 Sisowath Quay Tel: 023 215 179 The popular Bangkok Soi 11 bistro has made its way to the Cambodian capital with its familiar formula of great pizzas, classy cocktails and good wine. Expect the DJs to pump out the beats as you consider where to carry on the evening.

Petra 8 Street 288 (between St 51 & St 57) Tel: 023 666 3222 089 990 150 Authentic Arabic cuisine, ambiance and chef with rooftop shisha lounge. Located in the heart of BKK1. Special dining experiences with great costumes. Open daily from 10am–11pm.

Public House Street 240 1/2 Tel: 017 770 754 Offering fresh, simple and delicious cuisine set in a modern take on a pub. Open daily, from 11.30am-late (Saturdays from 10.30am and Sunday brunch).

upstairs as well as a sports bar with large screen TV and happy hour from 12pm-7pm. Open daily from 11am-10.30pm.

Stonegrill 649 Sisovath Quay Tel: 023 999 950 www.stonegrill.com.kh Stonegrill offers a unique interactive dining experience where diners meals are served cooking at the table on natural volcanic stones heated to 400C (752F). Open daily 11ammidnight.

The Exchange/The Vault 28 Street 47 Tel: 078 886 889 Large colonial mansion contains The Vault, Phnom Penh’s first private member’s club for those who have $1000 to burn. Underneath, the Exchange has elegant exposed brickwork and low lighting as well as an impressive fusion menu. Open daily, 10am-midnight.

The Tiger’s Eye 49 Sothearos Boulevard After Common Tiger closed its doors in October, chef Timothy Bruyns’ latest venture comes in the form of The Tiger’s Eye, serving up his innovative dishes from the former home of Duck.

The Lost Room 43 Street 21 Tel: 078 700 001 A hidden gem, with eclectic food in an urbane environment. This small restaurant and bar offers small plates of food for sharing.

Using imported and local foods, the menu encompasses global foods and unique cocktail and wine listings at reasonable prices. Caring and experienced staff makes for a pleasant evening. Open from 5pm, Monday to Saturday.

Kitchen closes at 10pm. Lunch by appointment only.

World Dining 2/F Aeon Mall, 132 Samdach Sothearos Blvd, Tel: 023 90 17 77 (See restaurants Cambodia)

Regency Cafe InterContinental Phnom Penh 296 Mao Tse Tung Blvd.

Tel: 023 424 888 ext. 3603 Regency Cafe features sumptuous international and Asian buffets as well as a la carte dining for the most discerning palates. Open daily from 6am-10.30pm

Zino Wine Bar and Restaurant 12 Street 294 Tel: 023 998 519 Zino offers a comprehensive wine list by the glass and bottle, professionally made cocktails and a constantly evolving Mediterranean and Asian menu. Open daily for lunch and dinner.

Kitchen closes at 11pm.

Restaurant Tell 13 Street 90 Tel: 023 430 650 Up-market eatery that re-creates the genuine feel of an Alpine chalet, has a spacious indoor restaurant and outdoor terrace with rotisserie and bar. European menu with imported steaks, fondue, raclette and an extensive wine list. Open 11.30am-2pm, 5pm-11pm.

Italian

Riverhouse Asian Bistro 157 Sisowath Quay Tel: 023 212 302 www.riverhousecambodia.com Well known as one of the oldest French colonial buildings on the riverfront with breezy views along the Tonle Sap & Mekong River. The elegant restaurant and bar offers a special beverage menu, featuring delectable cocktails, quality wines, single malts and freshly squeezed juices.

Open daily from 10am-2am

Bistro Romano NagaWorld Hotel and Casino, Hun Sen Park Tel: 023 228 822 Best known for its sumptuous Sunday Prosecco Brunch, this stylised Italian restaurant in the NagaWorld complex specialises in Italian cuisine.

Open daily 11am-11pm.

Samba Brazilian Steakhouse 64 Sihanouk Blvd.

Tel: 023 222 599 Experience the unique Brazilian Churrasco way of cooking with a large variety of meats skewered and roasted to perfection and served piping hot direct from the skewers to your plate!

Open daily 11am-3pm, 5pm-10.30pm.

Steve’s Steakhouse 8 Street 240 Tel: 023 987 320 Longstanding restaurant specialising in local grain-fed beef as well as a large variety of imported steaks, hamburgers, ribs and Greek cuisine. Has a terraced lounge with pool tables

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endorsed

Aria D’Italia 41EO Street 310 Tel: 012 840 705 Cute little Italian pizzeria tucked away between Street 57 and Street 63. Well-priced lunch set menu and homemade ravioli. Home delivery available. Open 10.30am-2pm, 5.30pm-10pm.

Café Monivong Raffles Hotel Le Royal.

Tel: 023 981 888 Indulge in homemade antipasti, fresh prepared pasta and risotto as well as oven-baked, crispy pizzas and pair it all with the finest selection of Italian wines, every Saturday night 6pm-10pm.

Do Forni Sofitel Phnom Penh Phokeethra 26 Sothearos Blvd.

Tel: 023 999 200 Sophisticated Italian diner set in the grounds of the Sofitel hotel, dishes up much more than your basic pizza and pasta. Excellent range of wines, dimmed lighting and plush surroundings make this an excellent romantic meal for two option.

Open daily 6.30pm-10pm.

Cucumbers Kate Burbidge It’s still hot. Far too hot.

Looking at recent weather patterns, there’s no way of telling when the rains will deign to favour the Kingdom with their cooling presence.

While we wait for the big rains, let us consider the humble cucumber, full of water, slightly sweet, massively refreshing, kinda dull. Dull?

No, no, no! Gone are the days of the forlorn cucumber sandwich, sardonically curling up at the corners. No substance, little flavour and any nutritional content wiped out by the surrounding white bread and plastic margarine.

These days, however, the cucumber has definitely regained its cool.

What is it about this much-maligned vegetable/ fruit that has put it top of the health freak and hipster menu? Besides containing some surprising nutrients, cucumbers can be used in a number of refreshing dishes, not to mention a few soothing skin treatments; all of which provide very welcome cooling interludes in the relentlessly hot and protracted premonsoon doldrums.

Here comes the science.

Cucumbers contain potassium, significant amounts of vitamin A, silicon and silica, not to mention sulphur and sterol. They are also around 96 percent water, which is a huge positive in a climate that seems hell bent on dehydrating as many people as it can.

The skin benefits derived from plastering cucumber

on the eye area, face, neck and anywhere else you can get it to stick to, come from its sterol and water content.

Rehydrating and reducing redness, puffiness and sore, dry and even burnt skin, the cucumber can reduce the toll taken on the dermis by life in the Kingdom. The rest of the body will thank you for the anti-inflammatory qualities it is said to have, while also profiting from its renal (potassium) and blood cleansing properties.

There are, however, far more delicious ways to enjoy the cooling cucumber than wearing it. Popping as much sliced cue in your drinking water as you like, gives it a lift and makes a change from the ubiquitous lime. This can also be frozen into ice-cubes, which work remarkably well in a gin and tonic, for example. Cucumber juice is also easy to make if you have a juicer or blender, it’s very accommodating, happily combining with a huge variety of other ingredients, whether sweet or savoury.

The easy-blend flavour of this versatile fruit works just as well in chilled cucumber soup or an icy sorbet. Dice cucumber, and your choice of other ingredients, tomatoes, peppers, spinach, seasoning; or melon, elderflower cordial, mint, whisked egg-white and blitz. Add ice and/or cream or yoghurt: alternatively freeze and periodically beat up the ice crystals.

Bingo, two courses of healthy hot season coolers.

www.terrazza.asia Experience Italy in Phnom Penh.

Fine Italian restaurant and Deli shop.

Open daily from noon-10pm, deli shop, 9am-9pm.

Japanese & Korean Hachi Sofitel Phnom Penh Phokeethra and cufflinks. Just ask the owners if you have anything valuable you wish them to pawn for you. Open Tuesday to Sunday, 5pm-11pm.

Sun Heang

Howie’s Bar 32 Street 51 Long-standing mainstay of the expat scene and popular late night hang-out, especially around the ‘mini’ pool table, where Howie’s rules apply. Great rock tunes and a timeless atmosphere, that is until it’s time to go to bed.

Open 7pm-6am.

The Library Bassac Lane, off Street 308 Tel: 095 366 243 Stocked with books, this intimate corner bar serves daiquiris, cocktails, beers and wines. The ideal place to bring out the bookworm in you.

Open Tuesday to Sunday, 5pm-11pm.

Le Bar Sofitel Phnom Penh Phokeethra, 26 Sothearos Blvd.

Tel: 023 999 200 A modern colonial style lobby bar with a fine selection of comfort food, tapas, champagnes, wines, premium spirits and large selection of coffees and teas.

Il Forno Restaurant Phnom Penh 11 Street 302 Tel: 081 660 515 Traditional imported ingredients from Italy to keep all of recipes 100 percent Italian. Wine bar for nice aperitivo, lunch special menus and weekly specials for dinner.

Italian House 2 Street 312 (end of Street 9) Tel: 092 230 207 Italian chef. Wooden fire oven. Pizzeria, antipasti, pasta, salads, desserts, offering delivery and catering around BKK I area. Open daily from 5.30pm-10.30pm.

La Volpaia 20–22 Street 13 Tel: 023 992 739 Part of a global pizzeria chain that includes Florence, Tokyo, Seoul and Phnom Penh, the

cuisine is excellent with pizza and pasta cooked fresh in front of your eyes.

Luna 6C Street 29 Tel: 023 220 895 Stunning garden courtyard with day beds and couches as well as outdoor tables and chairs or air-conditioned interior. Excellent homemade.

Pop Café da Giorgio 371 Sisowath Quay Tel: 012 562 892 Sophisticated, small Italian restaurant located next to the FCC that serves light, contemporary Italian cuisine including fresh pasta and pizzas.

Delivery service available – last orders 9.30pm.

Open daily 11.30am-2.30pm, 6pm-10pm.

Terrazza 1c Street 282.

Tel: 023 214 660

Le Moon Cnr of Sisowath Quay & Street 154 Tel: 023 214 747 Rooftop terrace bar at Amanjaya Hotel has arguably the best view of the river of any of the city’s rooftop bars. Full bar and small food menu, while the service is slow enough to afford you sufficient time to soak up the view. Daily happy hour, from 11pm to 1am and promotions every Friday.

Liquid 3B Street 278 Tel: 023 720 157 Welcoming open air bar and has one of the best pool tables in town with happy hour from 5pm-8pm.

Metro Café Sisowath Quay & Street 148 Tel: 023 222 275 (see Restaurants, international) Red Bar 15 Street 308 Unassuming in appearance, Red Bar becomes rammed at weekends with the expat crowd clamouring for the cheap drinks. Popular with the journalist crowd. Open daily.

Rising Sun

20 Street 178 Tel: 012 970 718 English-style pub with reliable breakfast, meat pies and hamburgers. Has a regular following around the bar at night especially on Fridays.

Great posters of British films and TV classics adorn the walls. Ideal for that touch of nostalgia and good fish and chips – though not wrapped in a newspaper. Open daily from 7am until late.

Samai Distillery 9b Street 830.

Tel: 023 224 143 A rum distillery by day and bar every Thursday night, this spot is popular with the cool crowd, serving up potently strong cocktails to upbeat sounds every Thursday evening. Has taken over the Elsewhere mantle of the place to be seen.

Seibur Street 308 Tel: 092 839 440 Aperitif room.

Open seven days, from 5pm-11pm.

Sharky Bar 126 Street 130 Tel: 012 228 045 www.sharkybar.blogspot.com A place where anything can happen, and a popular live music venue. Serves good Mexican food, with daily specials. Plenty of pool tables and competitions. Open 4pm-2am.

Touk Restaurant and Bar 357 Sisowath Quay, corner of Street 178 Tel: 023 219 059 012 248 694 017 486 786 Live bands, buffet salad and BBQ every Saturday and Friday night at this lofty riverside venue.

Happy hour from 4.30pm-7.30pm Kan Ji Japanese Restaurant 128f Sothearos Blvd.

Tel: 016 318 383 - 016 312 828.

Kan Ji is three floors of Japanese culinary delight in a bright and modern setting.

Open for lunch and dinner, it features a stylish mix of ancient and modern creative cuisine.

Open daily, 11.30am–2.30pm, 5.30pm– 10.30pm.

Cafe Sushi 6HEo Sothearos Boulevard Tel: 023 900 185 Following in the footsteps of the success of its Sihanoukville sushi joinT, Cafe Sushi is a relaxed sushi bar serving fresh food cooked by a Japanese chef. Open Monday to Saturday, from 11am to 2pm and 5pm to 10pm.

Origami 88 Sothearos Bvd. Tel: 012 968 095 Up-market, contemporary Japanese restaurant with a spacious air-con area downstairs and four private rooms upstairs. Specialises in sushi and tempura, and has Asahi, Kirin and Sapporo beers. Open daily 11.30am-2pm, 5.30pm9.30pm.

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LISTINGS

culture Cinemas Ecran Movie House Kampot Old Market, Kampot Tel: 093 249 411 Daily 4pm showing of The Killing Fields and other Cambodia-related films. Daily film screened at 7.30pm. Private movie room rentals where customers choose the time and film. Can bring your own food and drink. Open 11am to 9pm. Closed Tuesday.

Major Cineplex Aeon Mall Tel: 023 90 1111 Major Cineplex is located on the second floor of the Aeon Mall Phnom Penh and is the biggest cinema complex in Cambodia with multiple screens, 3D and 4D theatres, showing the latest blockbusters from Asia and Hollywood. Open daily 9am-midnight Meta House 37 Sothearos Blvd (opp. Phnom Penh centre) Tel: 012 607 465 Movie shorts and documentaries from Cambodia and the rest of Asia.

Movies normally start at 7pm, closed Mondays.

Platinum Cineplex 5th Floor Sorya Shopping Centre Tel: 081 666 210 www.platinumcineplex.com.kh International-standard three-screen cineplex featuring the latest Digital 3D technology and the most recent Hollywood and international releases, located in the heart of downtown with ample parking, shopping and eating options. Open 9am-11pm.

The Empire Movie House 34 Street 130 Tel: 077 468 243 As an independent art-house, Empire screens documentaries, indie films, cult classics and regional films. Also features a bar and eating area. Open daily from 4pm to 11pm.

The Flicks 1. 39b Street 95 (BKK3) 2. 85 Street 136 (Daun Penh) 3. 8 Street 252 (Chaktomuk) Local expat oriented movie houses with revolving schedule of international films and art house films, screened in comfy air conditioned movie rooms. Option to hire the movie room for a private session (max 30 people). Minimum two screenings per day.

Cover charge $3.50.

Galleries

collection.

French Institute 218 Street 184 Tel: 023 213 124 Offers cultural activities including exhibitions, festivals, and film screenings to promote French and Khmer culture. Onsite shop Carnets d’Asie offers a selection of French books.

Java Café & Gallery 56 Sihanouk Blvd Tel: 023 987 420 www.javaarts.org Contemporary art gallery with exhibitions of Cambodian and international artists, as well as performing artists. Has second gallery on the ground floor. Website has details about Cambodia’s contemporary art scene.

National Museum of Cambodia Street 13 Tel: 023 211 753 The museum houses one of the largest collections of Khmer artefacts in the world, including sculpture, ceramic and ethnographic objects. Spending a couple of hours here is a good introduction to Cambodia’s long tradition of art and creativity, and a brief insight into the spirit of the Kingdom.

Romeet Contemporary Art Space 34E1 Street 178 Tel: 023 650 9392 Founded by Phare Ponleu Selpak in 2011 as a Phnom Penh platform for emerging and established alumni of the PPS’s Visual Art School in Battambang. Romeet is a dynamic space for contemporary art exhibitions, talks, workshops, local collaborations and international exchange.

Sa Sa Bassac 18 Sothearos Boulevard, Upstairs.

An expansion of the Sa Sa Art Gallery and a merger with Bassac Art Projects, Sa Sa Bassac is an artist-run gallery for contemporary art. Includes a library, reading and workshop room, and a 60-metre gallery space. Ongoing visual literacy programmes.

SPACE FOUR ZERO Gallery 40 street 118 Tel: 069 571 100 www.spacefourzero.com Pop art gallery and music emporium featuring Sticky Fingers Art Prints Cambodia by Julien Poulson of The Cambodian Space Project, rare vinyl, CDs, T-Shirts and music collectibles.

Open daily from 11am to 7pm, or by appointment.

Performing Arts Amrita Performing Arts 128-G9 Sothearos Blvd.

Tel: 023 220 424 www.amritaperformingarts.org Performance art company that puts on contemporary and classical music and theatre.

Apsara Arts Association 71 Street 598 Tel: 011 550 302 Organisation that promotes Cambodian arts and culture.

Open from 7.30am-10.30am

Bophana Audiovisual Resource Centre 64 Street 200 Tel: 023 992 174 Preserving much of Cambodia’s audiovisual material, has regular exhibitions.

Open 8am-6pm Mon-Fri, 2pm-6pm Sat.

Cambodian Living Arts 128-G9 Sothearos Blvd.

Tel: 023 986 032 www.cambodianlivingarts.org A non-profit arts organisation devoted to the revival and transmission of traditional Khmer performing arts that puts on performances and provides tours.

Din Art Gallery 79, Street 136 Tel: 017 931 900 Located above Feel Good Cafe, Cambodian artist Din Borin showcases his abstract art, with apsara dancers featuring heavily. Browse his work or buy some unique pieces from the

Chaktomuk Conference Hall Sisowath Quay Tel: 023 725 119 Designed by master Cambodian architect Vann Molyvann, this under-utilised building is worth a visit. Open Monday to Friday, 7am-11.30am and 2pm-5pm.

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inspiring arts

A story from the arts: Chey Chankethya Cambodian Living Arts (CLA) believes that arts and cultural expression are essential to a thriving future for Cambodia.

This month, we tell the story of Chey Chankethya, former CLA Living Arts Fellow and a contemporary dancer.

Chey Chankethya is a contemporary dancer, trained in classical dance. She is also a choreographer, and artistic director for Amrita Performing Arts as well as a teacher of classical dance at the School of Fine Arts.

In 2013, she was a CLA Living Arts Fellow, and took part in culture and art activities around Cambodia and elsewhere, which have influenced her current work and practices.

Kethya believes that contemporary dance should be accessible to everyone.

She finds that she can express herself through dance, and wants others to join and improve their physical and mental health while expressing their creativity.

However, introducing the public to contemporary dance has had its challenges. Kethya believes that Cambodia’s rich repertoire of traditional dance means that people can sometimes be reluctant to accept new styles and forms of expression.

Another challenge in creating new performances is finding funding. Kethya

believes that audiences are often drawn to a show in order to see beautiful costumes and elaborate staging, and are less interested in new experiences, or the message portrayed by a dance on stage.

She organises post-show discussions and workshops to help people understand the meanings of her work more deeply, and to appreciate performances for their creativity and artistic merit.

She has won a number of awards and accolades for her dancing and choreography, including the Mo Ostin Performing Arts Award in 2013. However, she encourages others with a passion to work in the arts not to do it for money or prestige.

Kethya believes that to succeed, a person needs to be curious, and to ask questions. They should learn about arts and culture from the past and the present, bring in their own ideas, and be open to learning from others and collaborating with their contemporaries.

Kethya began to work as artistic director of Amrita Performing Arts in 2014, and began to try to raise awareness of the role that arts can have in social development. In her creations, she tries to raise questions and discussions – she believes that, “a society is fully developed when the people become curious”.

To learn more about Cambodian Living Arts, find CLA on Facebook, @CamboLivingArts on Twitter, CambodianLivingArts on Instagram, or visit cambodianlivingarts.org.

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Sundays, 9am-11am and 2pm-5.30pm.

LISTINGS

wellness

La Table Khmère Cooking Class 11E Street 278 Tel: 012 238 068 www.phnompenh-cooking-class.com For all those wanting to learn how to prepare traditional Khmer specialties from scratch in a clean and air-conditioned setting. Morning classes include a visit to the local market. Open daily, classes at 9am-3pm.

leisure & wellness Amusement

When do we need orthotics?

Sallee Gregory Orthotics are orthopaedic devices designed to treat or adjust various biomechanical foot problems or foot disorders that affect not only the foot, but the entire skeletal system.

The best orthotics are custom-tailored devices specifically crafted to meet the needs of a particular individual.

This is done by making a digital image of the foot called a cast.

After an assessment, if orthotics are required, your podiatrist will recommend the orthotic that best suites you.

The finished orthotic is then placed in the patient’s shoe and helps keep the foot in the correct alignment. This in turn may correct the alignment of the shin bone, the knees, the hips, and the lower and upper back.

To explain how orthotics function, it is important to understand the mechanics of walking. With each step, the vertical axis of the heel ideally should land almost perpendicular to the ground, with a slight inclination of only a few degrees toward the outside of the heel.

From there, the weight is distributed progressively toward the lateral (outside) side of the foot. As the little (or fifth) toe starts to touch the ground, the arch of the foot should flatten slightly, shifting the body’s weight toward the medial (inside) side of the foot.

The heel then should start to lift off the ground, shifting the

weight to the medial forefoot, principally the ball of the foot and the big toe.

However, there are many anomalies present in people’s feet, hips and lower back that can cause this to be different.

Over time, stresses on the feet can deform them.

A common problem occurs when the arch does not flatten at all. As the arch does not flatten, it absorbs shock poorly.

Instead of spreading this shock throughout the entire foot, the weight of the body falls only on the heel and the bases of the toes.

This increases stress on the foot. Furthermore, because the weight is not absorbed well in the foot, it radiates up the leg to other joints. Over time, this can cause pain in the knees, hips and lower back.

A different problem results if the arch flattens too much, this is more common. It may also be known in lay terms as flat feet. In such cases, the weight distribution on the foot is too far on the medial (inside) side.

A flat foot, or pronated foot as it is correctly called, is unstable and cannot maintain a correct arch. Over time, the weight of the body on an unstable foot will cause the bones of the foot to become misaligned.

This can lead to the development of bunions, hammertoes and other foot deformities, as well as shin, knee, hip and lower back pain.

Sallee Gregory is an Australian Podiatrist registered with the Podiatry Board of Australia since 1990. She practises at Sâmata Health and Wellness Studio on 54 Street 306, Phnom Penh. T. 077 760 960.

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Cambodian Country Club Street 2004, Group 6 Toeuk Thla Tel: 012 231 755 A peaceful heaven providing tennis, swimming, badminton, fitness centre and horse riding, 15 minutes away from the city. Open from 6.30am-late.

Phnom Tamao Wildlife Park Phnom Tamao, 44 kilometres out of the capital along Highway 2.

Cambodia’s top wildlife centre. All animals are either rescued from traders or bred at the centre. Many of the animals are critically endangered. Open daily 8am - 4pm.

Classes Equestrian Centre CCC, Street 2004, Group 6 Toeuk Thla Tel: 015 231 755 012 704 759 With 31 ponies and horses, an internationalsized arena and spacious stables, the only horse-riding centre in Phnom Penh Tuesdays to

Music Arts School 14 Street 360 Tel: 023 997 290 www.music-arts-school.org A NGO school providing music training for Cambodians and expats - of all ages and levels - at affordable tuition fees. Learn guitar, piano, violin, vocals, and traditional Khmer instruments.

Also has a scholarship fund to provide music education to the less fortunate.

Nathan Horton Photography 126 Street 136 Tel: 092 526 706 www.nathanhortonphotography.com Photography tuition and guided tours to Kampong Chnang and Udong, covering technical and creative considerations in the context of travel photography.

NataRaj Yoga Studio 52 Street 302 Tel: 012 250 817 / 090 311 341 Welcome everyone to the peaceful yoga studio.

Wide variety of daily drop-in yoga classes and monthly workshops in many styles with internationally qualified teachers. Also runs an NGO yoga programmes for local kids.

Scuba Nation PADI 5* IDC Diving Centre 18 Sothearos Blvd (near FCC) Tel: 012 715 785 www.divecambodia.com

First two parts of the Cambodian trilogy by award-winning author Mark Bibby Jackson.

To Cook A Spider - national winner for Best Self-Published Book and Best Asian Cuisine Book at the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards 2016.

“Great title, by a talented writer with deep Cambodia experience.

It is a great book, a pleasure to read, and a help for those interested in Cambodia and all Southeast Asia cuisines.” Edouard Cointreau, President of the Jury, Gourmand World Cookbook Awards, on announcing the national winners.

Available at Monument Books, Ds Books, Friends 'n' Stuff, Kampot Pepper Shop, Kampot Head and as an ebook at Amazon

Learn to scuba dive in Phnom Penh. The academic and pool part of the course can be done in Phnom Penh and you finish with two days in Sihanoukville on the boat. Offers refresher courses, try dives and kids’ pool parties as well as the full range of courses. Open 9am-6pm, Sat and Sun 9am-5pm.

Simphony Music School 243, Street 51 Tel: 023 727 345 / 097 888 8787 www.simphony.com.kh Simphony Music School is the first official music school in Cambodia recognised by the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts, Royal Government of Cambodia. The faculty is composed of experienced and qualified music teachers from overseas, speaking fluent English, Chinese, and French. Based on USA curriculum following Orff and Kodály music teaching methods.

The Tennis Club CCC, Street 2004, Group 6 Toeuk Thla Tel: 017 847 802 The two courts are equipped with specially adapted flooring unique in Cambodia, and with quality lightning allowing play past sunset. Skilled English and Cambodian speaking teachers available for private or group lessons. Open daily.

Yoga Phnom Penh 39 Street 21 www.yogaphnompenh.com Daily drop-in classes for all levels with experienced, qualified international teachers.

Classes include Ashtanga yoga, Vinyasa Flow Yoga, Fly Yoga, Fly Fit and Classical yoga. Regular workshops and Bliss weekend also offered.

Chemists U-Care Pharmacy 26-28 Sothearos Blvd. Tel: 023 222 499 39 Sihanouk Blvd. Tel: 023 224 099 41-43 Norodom Blvd. Tel: 023 224 299 844 Kampuchea krom Blvd. Tel: 023 884 004 / 023 207 209 Sisowath Quay Tel: 023 223 499 194 Tro Sork P’em Tel: 023 224 399 www.ucarepharma.com Provide international cosmetic brands, leading imported health & beauty products, only certified medication. Professional advice and convenient and strategic locations. Open daily from 8am10pm.

Counselling Services Alcoholics Anonymous 11 Street 420 Tel: 012 813 731 www.aacambodia.com Meets on Friday, Wednesday and Sunday.

Indigo International Tel: 092 95 44 87 www.indigo-international.org info@indigo-international.org Professional counselling services in English, French or Khmer for adults, adolescents, children, couples, and families. Assessment and intervention services for children and adolescents with learning and developmental difficulties.

Narcotics Anonymous 11 Street 420 Tel: 012 813 731 NA meets on Monday, Thursday at 8pm and Saturday at 7pm.

Dental European Dental Clinic 160A, Norodom Blvd. Tel: 023 211 363 www.europeandentalclinic-asia.com Total dental care, Implant, Orthodontist Treatment by expat dentists. Open Mon - Fri 8am-12pm, 2pm-7pm. Sat, 8am-1pm Malis Dental Clinic 445 Monivong Blvd.

Tel: 012 513 222 / 023 964 142 info@malis-dental.com A Japanese dentist provides professional and high-quality service.

Roomchang 4 Street 184

www.roomchang.com Tel: 023 211 338 Emergency: 011 811 338 World leader in clinical implant dentistry.

Complete state of the art dental hospital. In depth consultations on all procedures. True precision with digital and robotic technology for an optimum clinical result. Excellent customer service.

Shigeta Dental Clinic 25 Street 294 cnr Street 21 Tel: 023 223 225 / 010705083 Email: info@shigetadental.com www.shigedental.com High-end Japanese Dental Clinic that caters for your dental needs. Open from Monday to Sunday 8am-8pm.

rambutan hotel&resorts

cambodia

Gyms Fitness Centre CCC, Street 2004, Group 6 Toeuk Thla Tel: 015 704 759 Achieve individual targets whether sports specific or to tone, lose weight, build strength or improve cardiovascular fitness for a healthier and fitter lifestyle. Open daily 6.30am-late.

DIM

All-You-Can-Eat Dim Sum, Asian delights & Peking Duck station $19.80 or $28 with unlimited Tsingtao beer, wines & chilled juices

Raffles Amrita Spa Raffles Le Royal Hotel Tel: 023 981 888 Modern gym and pool in Phnom Penh’s most elegant hotel. Use of gym, pool, sauna and Jacuzzi is available to non-guests. Open 6am10pm.

Phokeethra Sports Club Sofitel Phnom Penh Phokeetra Tel: 023 999 200 Enjoy socialising and friendly interaction. The complex features a fitness centre including an outdoor pool with a children’s area, an activities studio (yoga, steps, Pilates, kick boxing), two squash courts and four floodlit tennis courts.

Open 6am-10pm.

SUM

BRUNCH

The InterContinental Fitness Centre 3/F Mao Tse Tung Blvd.

Tel: 023 424 888 ext. 5000 A sophisticated retreat from the crowds, The InterContinental Fitness Centre is the place to attain peak performance and wellbeing. Pump up with a full body workout on state-of-the-art equipment, benefit from the experience and guidance of qualified trainers, and relax all year round in the open-air swimming pool.

10.30AM TO 2.30PM Every Saturday at Fu Lu Zu restaurant H6526@SOFITEL.COM | 023 999 200 Prices are exclusive of all applicable taxes

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The Gym at The Place 90 Sihanouk Blvd.

Tel: 023 999 699 Modern establishment featuring a fully equipped gym and weekly classes in dance, yoga and aerobics. Open 6am-10pm Mon-Fri, 8am-10pm Sat-Sun.

Hairdressers The Dollhouse Bassac Lane Tel: 010 329 999 / 016 620 907 www.dollhousecambodia.com Salon offers cutting, colouring and various treatments, including the Brazilian Keratin Treatment with Collagen to replenish the condition of your hair. Western hairdresser with international experience. Open Tues-Sat 9am-7pm, Sun 11am7pm, closed Monday.

The French Element Himawari Hotel Unit D, 313 Sisowath Quay Tel: 077 283 332 www.thefrenchelement.com Over-looking the Tonle Sap, wonderful spot to relax and pamper yourself. Offering all hair services such as highlights, colour, cut, Brazilian Keratin Treatment and more. International hairdresser. OpenMonday to Saturday, 10am8pm, Kate Korpi Salon 6 Floor inside Sun City corner of Street 51 & Street 370 Tel: 023 988 166 www.katekorpisalon.com Kate Korpi Salon is Phnom Penh’s newest premier salon. Stylists from around the globe provide a full range of services including hairstyles, skin care

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and Dermalogica Microzone treatments. Open Tuesday 11am-8pm. Wed-Sat 10am-6pm.

Toni & Guy 1/F Aeon Mall Tel: 023 901 190 Toni & Guy Cambodia will bring 50 years of hair fashion heritage to Phnom Penh. Originally from UK, there are now over 400 salons worldwide. Specialist stylists for cuts and colourists to give the colour you want from the UK and Japan. Uses Label M products. Open every day from 10am-8pm.

Medical International Chiropractic Clinic 67 Bis Street 240, (100m from Monivong Blvd.)

Tel: 023 223 101 www.cambodiachiropractic.com First and only Chiropractic clinic licensed in Cambodia. Our chiropractors are US trained and we provide modern Chiropractic care, physiotherapy and custom made medical grade orthotics.

Open Mon-Fri 8.30am-6pm, Sat 8.30am-1pm.

International SOS Medical Clinic 161 Street 51 Tel: 023 216 911 Global provider of medical assistance and international healthcare. Expat and Khmer doctors offer general practice, specialist and emergency medical services. Appointments 8am-5.30pm Mon–Fri, 8am-12pm, Sat open 24-7 for emergencies.

Physiotherapy Phnom Penh I & II 45C Street 456, Toul Thom Poung II Office 311, 3/F 60 Monivong Blvd Tel: 023 996345 Tel: 092 485 593 Tel: 012 722 104 Tel: 012 979 354 International Physiotherapy and Acupuncture (T.C.M.) Centre Specialising

in Manual Therapy, Rehabilitation and (sports) Physiotherapy, Neurological (Paediatric) Physical Therapy, Acupuncture, Personal Training and Clinical Pilates.

Samata Health & Wellness Studio 54 Street 306 Tel: 023 726 267 Phnom Penh’s first holistic studio providing Acupuncture, Massage, Physiotherapy, Pilates, Podiatry, Yoga and Wellness Coaching in one convenient location.

Younger Cosmetic Acupuncture Himawari Hotel Tel: 023 21 45 55 (Ext 880)/ 017 983 409 www.cambodiaacupuncture.com Helping people to feel and look better with a holistic approach to health and beauty. Treatments include cosmetic acupuncture, face lift, weight loss. Pain Management (Back Pain, Neck Pain…) and Emotional Disorder (Stress, Insomnia) $25 all treatments. Open Monday to -Friday 8.30am- 11.30am and 12.30pm-7pm, Saturday 9am-noon.

Optics Grand Optics 11 Norodom Bvd. 337 Monivong Blvd.

150 Sihanouk Blvd.

Tel: 023 213 585 Modern opticians with the latest equipment including free computerised eye test. Makes prescription glasses and lenses.

Pet Services Agrovet Veterinary Clinic 40 Street 111 Tel: 023 216 323 Tel emergency 24/7: 012 779 673 (French-Eng) Tel emergency 24/7: 012 779 674 (Khmer) www.agrovet-cambodia.com Managed by a French team and following European standard.

pets’ corner

What to Feed Your Pet

By Donabelle Zuzart Wondering what to feed your pet with the range of advice floating around?

It’s time to be your own judge and give your pet the right nutrition while ensuring it is affordable. Our in-house pets comprise of three dogs, five cats and two geese – all most of which are rescues. It always comes down to ensuring they get the best nutrition and care, that is affordable.

When deciding what to feed your pet, keep the number one factor in mind that your dog or cat is a carnivore. They cannot move their jaw from side-to-side, just upwards and downwards. This movement exists in dogs and cats because carnivores grab their prey and tear it with their sharp interlocking teeth and gulp it down without chewing.

Humans have sharp teeth plus flat molars designed for chewing. Vegetarian animals have mouths that are wide, flat molars designed for excessive chewing. A carnivore’s digestive system isn’t designed to ferment foods, such as the GI tracts of vegetarian animals.

The ancestral diet of a carnivore includes lots of variety and seasonal variability because certain prey is more available at certain times of the year.

Processed pet foods have created generations of nutritionally deficient dogs and cats and it often becomes a question of what is the right choice to make for your pet.

Commercial pet food has only been around for about 100 years. During that time, major pet food companies have produced most of their products using a base of corn, wheat, or rice.

However, they are recognising that feeding carnivores an abundance of grains causes cancer and creates fat, diabetic animals.

So, the industry is turning to grain-free dry foods. This move has re-ignited the popularity of kibble, but the problem is that biologically inappropriate levels of high-glycemic starches, such as potatoes and pea flour, have taken the place of grains in dry pet food.

Another recent development is the use of trendy sources of carbs, for example, lentils and garbanzo beans. However, in addition to increasing the carb content beyond what is species-appropriate, legumes contain lectins, which are molecules that can create GI inflammation and irritation.

Fortunately, dogs and cats are resilient. They’re able to survive when fed foods they were never designed to eat. However, degeneration does occur as a result of inappropriate nutrition.

But because the changes are gradual and often hidden until a disease is full-blown, we’ve been able to deceive ourselves into believing that convenience pet foods are actually good for dogs and cats.

Pet Spa/ Salon/ Grooming/ Pet Sitting/ Pet day care centre. 4 Street 604, Tuol Kork, Phnom Penh.

Tel: 089491039. Web: petgroomingcambodia.com.

Email: petgroomingcambodia@gmail.com.

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LISTINGS

family Cafés & Restaurants Farm to Table 16 Street 360 Tel: 078 899 722 Bring the coutryside to Phnom Penh at this healthy café that sources produce from Discovery Farms. Organic grub is served in a farm setting with free-range hens running around the courtyard and a static tractor for kids to play on.

Java Café 56 Sihanouk Blvd.Tel: 023 987 420 Kid’s menu includes chicken nuggets and pizza bagels. Colouring pages and crayons to keep the kids amused. High-chair is available on request and baby-changing facilities are in the toilet.

Open daily 7am-10pm The Shop Too 38 Street 337 Tel: 012 952 839 Little haven of calm with a wide range of fresh bread, patisseries, chocolates, juices and excellent salads, sandwiches. All products such as croissants, cakes etc. are baked on the spot.

With a big garden in front and nice courtyard at the back, it makes it a perfect place for family as well. Open daily 7am–9pm.

Entertainment

Arey Ksat Equestrian Trail Arey Ksat, Phnom Penh. Tel: 077 35 77 74 Join experienced instructor Guillaume Larivain on a series of pony trails through the Cambodian countryside.

BluO Bowling AEON Mall, Sothearos Blvd.

Tel: 023 901 000 The country’s latest bowling alley with private lanes available for parties. Open daily from 9am to midnight.

the bib

Cambodian Country Club Street 2004, Group 6 Toeuk Thla Tel: 012 231 755 Sports centre and a peaceful heaven providing tennis, swimming, badminton, fitness centre and horse riding in an amazing landscape 15 minutes away from the city.

Dedicated to leisure, rest and entertainment, CCC is suitable for children.

Open daily 6.30am until late.

Kids City 162A Sihanouk Blvd. www.kidscityasia.com Indoor entertainment centre with climbing walls, ice skating, laser tag. toddler town and other attractions.

International Schools Canadian International School of Phnom Penh Bassac Garden, Norodom Blvd.

Tel: 023 727 788 077 503 778 www.cisp.edu.kh Offers a Canadian curriculum in English, certified through the Canadian province of Alberta.

Eton House International School 16 Mao Tse Tung Blvd.

Tel: 023 22 8818 www.ehis.co Eton House is committed to the pursuit of excellence in education. Eton House is represented in 10 countries with over 56

Registrations open May 1st

17b street 105 | near Toul Kork Antenna | +855 23 4545 006 | www.niraisc.edu.kh

It’s Never Over ’Til It’s Over Mark Bibby Jackson Scrap what I wrote last month the title race is now officially back on. As I write with six games to go, only four points separate Chelsea from their London rivals Spurs. A couple of slip ups from the boys in blue and the title could be going to White Hart Lane for the first time since 1961 – when Tottenham Hotspurs achieved the first ever League and Cup double.

Surely, they can’t finally win the Premier League?

In truth, it’s still a remote possibility. Despite their recent loss to Manchester Utd, Chelsea is showing little sign of fatigue.

And the run in has done Spurs no favours either. While Chelsea have four remaining games at home, with only West Brom and Everton away, Spurs travel to West Ham, Leicester, Crystal Palace and Hull. Their two remaining home games are against Man Utd and local rivals Arsenal. In normal circumstances, you’d fancy Chelsea to take a further 16 points, and Spurs only 12 or so. However, Spurs are on a seven-match winning streak in the League, continue that to the end of the season and we might be looking at a grand climax come May 21.

However, I expect Chelsea to wrap up the title with a couple of games to spare, however, if the last couple of months have taught you

anything, it’s never to listen to my predictions.

As for the remaining two slots in the Champions League the race seems to be coming a three- rather than four-horse race.

Even Arsene Wenger has admitted Arsenal need to win all their seven remaining games to make the top four.

Traditionally 73 points has been sufficient to secure a top-four finish. So, 16 points may be enough for them, but with a trip to Spurs and a home game against Man Utd, as well as matches with Everton, Southampton and Leicester ahead, even this looks most unlikely.

Liverpool are best placed, with both points on the board and a relatively easy run in so I would expect them to reach 75 points. Mathematically at least, this might not prove enough, but Utd’s run in looks like a horror story. And that still leaves the small matter of the Manchester derby – away.

I can’t see even Mourinho plucking this one out of the bag, leaving Europa League success as their most likely route to the Champions League next year.

As for the foot of the table, Sunderland and Middlesbrough look down, leaving Swansea and Hull to fight over survival. I fancy Swansea to cling on, but it could go down to the wire.

Mark Bibby Jackson is the publisher of AsiaLIFE Cambodia and a freelance journalist. Follow him through the season at @ BibbyJackson or www.markbibbyjackson.co.uk.

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family

pre-schools and schools around the world.

The early years programme offers play-based, ‘Inquire, Think, Learn” pedagogy inspired by the I.B programme and the Reggio Emilia schools of Northern Italy.

Footprints School 220 Street 430, Tumnub Teuk Tel: 077 222 084 Established in 2007 Footprints School offers nursery (age 2) through Secondary and has four campuses. The curriculum is designed for the dynamic needs and interests of students and staff are hired for their experience and love of children.

The Giving Tree Pre-School Nursery & Pre-school 17 Street 71 BKK1, Phnom Penh. Tel: 017 997 112 Baby playgroup 6-12 months; Early years, 12 months – 5 years. English, French, Japanese and Khmer is spoken.

Primary International school that follows the International Primary Curriculum. Grades 1 to 3.

50 Street 322, BKK1, Phnom Penh. Tel: 017 997 112 Tuol Kork Branch 5 Street 325, Phnom Penh. Tel: 077 993 073 iCAN British International School 85 Sothearos Blvd.

Tel: 023 222 416 www.ican.edu.kh iCAN offers affordable, high quality education, using the IPC, IMYC and English National Curriculum. Learners are encouraged to be thoughtful, creative, think critically, collaborate and achieve their best. iCAN is the learning environment of choice for parents who value the development of their children.

International Learning Jungle School 104 Street 315, Boeung Kak II, Toul Kork Tel: 095 222 557 095 222 558 095 222 559 www.learningjungle.com, www.facebook.com/ LearningJungleCambodia The only Franchise School from Canada. A proud provider of education for children in Canada, Cambodia, USA and Philippines.

International School of Phnom Penh Hun Neang Blvd.

Tel: 023 425 088 www.ispp.edu.kh Founded in 1989, this non-profit, non-sectarian international school currently has students from Pre-K to Grade 12. The largest international school and a fully-authorized IB programme the new campus has large grass playing fields, canteen, library, theatre, swimming pool and basketball courts.

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LISTINGS

business & services Architecture, Interior Design & Construction

C

M

Beyond Interiors 14e Street 306 Y Tel: 023 987 840 012 930 332 CM www.beyondinteriors.biz Managed by Australian designer Bronwyn Blue,MY this interior design showroom can provide the ultimate solution. All products from Thailand, CY Vietnam, Indonesia and Cambodia have been treated to withstand any climate. Open CMY 9am-6pm Green Goal Ltd 10 Street 296. Tel: 023 223 861 Consultancy offers sustainable and creative architectural and construction services to clients taking into account environmental considerations.

K

Good Wood Home Designs 24E Street 302, Phnom Penh.

Tel: 011 255 308 / 010 567 036 www.Goodwoodhomedesign.com fb: Good Wood Home Designs Asia Reclaimed teak furniture, decorative items and gifts. FSC® certified.

I Ching Decor 31 Mao Tse Toung, Phnom Penh Tel:023 214 285 092 660 746 Boutique interior design shop offering custom made furniture and accessories as well as imported furniture and rugs. Also offers a full interior design service. Open Monday to Saturday, 9am-6pm.

Bikes & Mechanics Dara Motorbike 43 Street 136 Tel: 012 335 499 Off-road specialist offers repairs, parts and accessories. Tours arranged by appointment.

Emerald Garage 11 Street 456 Mechanics specialising in maintenance and repair of vehicles, including oil changing and body painting.

Expat Motorbike Cambodia 38Eo, Street 322

GOOD WOOD HOME DESIGNS Reclaimed teak furniture Decorative items and gifts FSC ® certified 24e Street 302, Boeng Keng Kang 1, Phnom Penh fb: Good Wood Home Designs Asia www.goodwoodhomedesigns.asia +855 10 567 036 / 011 255 308

services

dentaltouchcambodia.com

TOTAL DENTAL CARE

Porcelain, Ceramic crown starts from 250 USD Orthodontic treatment starts from 900 USD #47 street 75 (North of Wat Phnom) 012 854 408 • 092 221 504 Tel: 089 491 436 / 089 518 867 emcjapeng@gmail.com Offers motorbike rental services for expats living in Phnom Penh including well-maintained motors, reliable & responsive service.

The Bike Shop 31 Street 302 Tel: 012 851 776 Repairs trusty steeds as well as renting them out in the first place. Also provides dirt bike tours.

Western Service Centre 24 Street 420 Tel: 012 477 831 www.wmg-cambodia.com A garage with Western and Khmer staff that emphasises communication and trained, attentive skills. Motto is “We don’t know all, we find out all, then we fix.”

Business Groups AmCham 1st Floor LBL International Building, 34 Sothearos Boulevard, Phnom Penh.

Tel: 015 333 715.

BritCham British Embassy, 27-29 Street 75, Phnom Penh.

Tel: 012 323 121.

Chambre de Commerce FrancoCambodgienne Office 2nd floor, 33 Street 178 Tel: 023 221 453 www.ccfcambodge.org International Business Chamber H7 Russian Boulevard, Phnom Penh.

Tel: 023 964 455.

EuroCham Preah Ang Makhak Vann, Phnom Penh.

Tel: 023 964 141.

Malaysian Business Council of Cambodia Unit G21, Ground Floor, Parkway Square 113, Mao Tse Tung Blvd. mbcc.secretariat@gmail.com

Car Rental ACC Car Rental Services 43 Street 160z Toul Kork Tel: 012 456 003 / 015 456 003.

Professional, prompt and organized rental service that provides vehicles for rent with or without a driver. ACC also rents a range of buses that seat from 12 to 45 people.

Avis Cambodia 62 Street 217 Tel: 078 666 557 www.avrcambodia.com Avis Rent a car license within brand new vehicles and comprehensive insurance. Along with self-drive and chauffeur-drive throughout the country depend on your choice.

Larryta Trading & Travel Co. Ltd. 9 Street 310 Tel: 023 994 748 www.larrytacarrental.com.kh

Vehicle rental for all types of cars, vans and mini-buses with flexible packages in Cambodia and neighbouring countries by the day, week or month.

Royal Limousine Services Attwood Business Center, Russian Confederation Blvd.

Tel: 023 218 808 www.royallimousine.com.kh Fleet of late model Mercedes that provides transport for hotels, embassies and luxury tour operators as well as foreign delegates.

Commercial Banks ABA Bank 148 Sihanouk Bouelvard.

Tel: 023 225 333 www.ababank.com Multi-branch network universal commercial bank offering a full range of products and services through nationwide network. Voted Best Bank in Cambodia 2014 and 2015 by Euromoney.

Acleda Bank 61 Monivong Blvd.

Tel: 023 998 777 www.acledabank.com.kh Specialises in micro, small and medium loans to people throughout the country.

smartphones, tablets, computers and accessories. Special services for OS upgrade, maintenance, applications, games, music and movies for mobile devices and computers. Open daily from 9am- 8.30pm Netpro Cambodia 11 Street 422 Tel: 023 215 141 www.netpro-cambodia.com IT supports company that delivers high quality and reliable services to home and small to medium size organisations in Cambodia.

Ocean Technology T-20 St Topaz, Sovanna Shopping Centre Tel: 023 211 700 010 624 001 www.ocean-tech.biz Technology company that offers GPS navigation systems, an online map directory and vehicle tracking system.

Insurance

AG Cambodia Hotel Cambodiana,

313 Sovanna Sisowath Quay Tel: 017 360 333 Email: nfo@agcambodia.com Professional insurance agent offering health, home, car, factory, employee and hotel insurance packages.

Infinity Insurance 126 Norodom Blvd Tel: 023 999 888 Professional insurance company offers motor, property, home, marine cargo, personal accident, healthcare, construction and engineering insurance. Group policies can be customised.

Legal BNG Legal 64 Street 111 Tel: 023 212 67 023 212 740 www.bnglegal.com BNG Legal is a leading Cambodian law firm .providing comprehensive legal services to foreign and local clients.

Active Investment Management

ANZ Royal Bank Main Branch, 20 Street 114 www.anzroyal.com Cambodia’s major commercial bank has brought international standards of banking to Cambodia, with a large number of ATM machines around Phnom Penh. Can arrange money transfers.

CIMB Bank PLC 20AB Norodom Blvd Tel: 023 988 388 www.cimbbank.com.kh Full range of commercial and consumer banking products and services for both Cambodian and foreign businesses and individuals. The first Japanese bank in Cambodia.

Maybank (Cambodia) Plc Maybank Tower 43 Norodom Blvd, Khan Daun Penh.

Tel: 023 210 123/ 255 contact_us@maybank.com.kh As one of Southeast Asia’s largest banking institutes, Maybank offers a full range of banking services.

IT & Software Cresittel Co., Ltd. Office 705, KT Tower 23 Street 112 Tel: 098 518 888 Provides software solutions and systems, point of sales systems for bars and restaurants, website designing and telecoms consulting. Has showroom at 385 Street 215.

KTOP 4/F Sorya Shopping Centre Tel: 023 6666 763 www.ktop.com.kh Broad range of quality and up-to-date

Are you concerned about market volatility?

Active investment management can reduce downside risk and help protect your capital.

Get in touch today

Call 023 997 121 email enquiries@infinitysolutions.com

infinitysolutions.com

Labuan FSA Licence N0. BS200548 Company No. LL04446

AsiaLIFE Cambodia 75 Ad Asia Life Cambodia March 2016.indd 1

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very personal and positive insight into everyday life in Cambodia. Open 8am-10pm

shopping Art Estampe 197A Street 19, Phnom Penh Tel: 012 826 186, A wide collection of vintage items can be found at Estampe. There are originals and reproductions of old photos, books, maps from late 19th and early 20th century.

Documents on specific themes or periods for unique tailor-made collections for hotels, restaurants or house decoration can be made. Open Mon- Sat from 11am-7pm.

Hanuman Fine Arts 13B Street 334, Phnom Penh Tel: 023 211 916 Email: tradition@hanumanfinearts.com High quality, beautiful antiques and art from all over the Kingdom. Furniture, ornaments, silverware, jewelry and more are well displayed in a treasure trove of a store. Very helpful and friendly staff. Open 8am–5pm.

Happy Painting Gallery 363 Sisowath Quay (nr. FCC) Tel: 023 221 732 www.happypainting.net Established in 1995 this art gallery is dedicated to Stef, a local icon artist with a

76 AsiaLIFE Cambodia

Space Four Zero 40 Street 118, near riverside Tel: 069 571 100 spacefourzero.com Pop Art Gallery and Music Emporium featuring Sticky Fingers Art Prints Cambodia by Julien Poulson, of The Cambodian Space Project.Rare vinyl, CDs, T-Shirts and music collectibles. Open daily from 11am to 7pm or by appointment.

Books & CDS D’s Books 79 Street 240 / 12E Street 178 Tel: 012 726 355 New and used bookshops with over 20,000 original books and some copies, with a great range of best sellers. Coffee, smoothies and more available all day at Street 240. Open 9am-9pm.

Le Phnom Shop Raffles Hotel Le Royal.

Tel: 023 981 888 Small shop offering books and souvenirs including recipes from the hotel’s pastry chef.

Open 7am-9pm.

Monument Books 111 Norodom Blvd.

Tel: 023 217 617 Extensive range of new English-language books in town including recent releases and sections on Asia, Cambodia, travel, cuisine, design and management. Good children’s section as well as a wide choice of magazines and newspapers.

Also has outlets at the airport and in Aeon Mall.

Open 7am-8.30pm.

Crafts & Furniture Artisans D’Angkor 12AEo Street 13 (in front of Post Office) Tel: 023 992 409

www.artisansdangkor.com Boutique with a wide range of traditional and contemporary handmade pieces produced at Artisans Angkor’s workshops in Siem Reap province: silk scarves, clothing and accessories, home furnishings, lacquer paintings and tableware, stone and wooden sculptures, silverplated ornaments and silk paintings. Special commissions and custom orders welcome.

Open daily from 9am-6pm DeCosy 219 Street 19 Tel: 023 219 276 Stocking charming knick-knacks and furniture, DeCosy is the place to find the things to make your house a home. Open daily from 9am-7pm.

Indulgence Interiors 23A Street 302 Tel: 023 637 3666 / 012 586 688 Email: Indulgenceinteriors@gmail.com Sells sofas, dining sets, bed linen, curtain & lights.

Pavillon d’Asie 24, 26 Sihanouk Blvd. Tel: 012 497 217 Antique lovers dream, a large array of wellrestored furniture and decorative objects.

Wooden cabinets jostle for space with Buddha statues and old wooden boxes. Upstairs are pieces from the French colonial era. Open 10am-7pm, closed Sunday.

Sinh Hak Hout Home Mart Branch I: 353ABC Mao Tse Tong Blvd. Tel: 023 723 588 Branch II: 88, St. 598, Near TV Station 3. Tel: 096 833 9999 Branch III: 65-67, Mao Tse Tong Blvd. Tel: 095 699 994 A one-stop solution for home interior furnishing offering a variety of tiles, stylistic bathroom furniture & sanitary ware, modern home and office furniture.

Fashion Ambre 37 Street 178 Tel: 023 217 935 The high-end fashion designs created by Cambodian designer Romyda Keth are popular all over the world, this beautiful colonial building makes the perfect setting for the city’s most glamorous design shop. Also has men’s fashion.

Open 10am-6pm, closed Sunday.

Bambou Indochine 7 Street 178 Tel: 023 214 720 High-quality T-shirts, Polo shirts and comfortable clothes in original designs. A fullrange of sizes for men, women and children.

Open daily 8am-10pm.

Beautiful Shoes 138 Street 143 Tel: 012 848 438 Family-run business measures your feet and designs the shoe exactly as you wish. The shop also caters for men. Open from 7am-6.30pm.

Couleurs D’Asie 33 Street 240 Tel: 023 221 075/ 099 499 478 Email: info@couleursdasie.net www.couleursdasie.net Established in Cambodia for more than 15 years, Couleurs d´Asie has developed a full range of textile products for home decoration, clothing and fashion accessories. Jewellery, essential oils, soaps and more are on offer. A custom service for existing products is also available.

D.Hindley Jewellery 9 Street 184 Tel: 012 327 107 Discover a range of beautiful Cambodian gemstones. From affordable to extravagant, we sell top quality 18k gold and sterling silver jewelry, plus loose gemstones. New Zealand/ Khmer ownership. All manufacturing done in Cambodia. Open 9am-7pm.

Khmer Attitude Raffles Hotel Le Royal. Tel: 023 981 888 Fashion boutique that offers the finest Khmer silk clothing for men, women and children,

including designs by Romyda Keth, and exclusive jewellery that complement the limited edition outfits.

Luna Boutique 8E1 Street 278 Tel: 023 220 176 Original and stylish fashion designs for men and women. The tailor-made creations, designed by modern Cambodian stylist Mengchou Kit, are fit for any occasion. Luna Boutique is located in the heart of Phnom Penh, while its sister shop - Luna Shoes - is next door. Open daily 8am-9pm.

Sentosa Silk Uniform 33 Sothearos Blvd, cnr Street 178 Tel: 012 962 911 023 222 974 Email: info@couleursdasie.net sentosa@ online.com.kh Well known for its professional management ability, SentosaSilk gives clients efficient and reliable service through quality systems and procedures that consistently enhance product quality and reliability.

Smateria 8Eo Street 5. Tel: 023 211 701 7 Street 178. Tel: 023 214 720 www.smateria.com Boutique specializing in accessories made from recycled materials including a range of bags and wallets made from old fruit juice cartons, plastic bags and mosquito nets.

Food & Wine AusKhmer Import Export 521 Street Angtamin Pagoda, Sang Kat Kar Karp Tel: 012 698 100 023 880 110 www.auskhmer.com Importer of quality wines and fine food from Australia and further afield.

Celliers d’Asie 62B & 98 Street 432 Tel: 023 986 350 Wine supplier with the largest quantity of retail stock in town, has been providing wine to most of the top hotels and restaurants for over ten years. Open 8am-12pm, 2pm-6pm, closed Sunday.

Comme a la Maison 13 Street 57 Tel: 012 951 869 Decidedly sophisticated French restaurant has a small delicatessen and bakery at the back of the restaurant ideal for that morning baguette or croissant with your coffee. Open from 6am10.30pm.

Dan Meats 51A Street 214 Tel: 012 906 072 Phnom Penh’s man of meat, Lanzi, supplies his strictly non-vegetarian products to many restaurants around town. Open 7.30am6.30pm, closed Sun. Kurata Pepper 5 Street 322 Tel: 023 726 480 Selling organic Koh Kong pepper and associated products, Kurata is a specialist shop in town.

Open daily 8am-7pm.

Le Marché 10 Street 456 Tel: 011 51 07 31 Le Marché is the first one-stop shop in Toul Tom Poung. From basic grocery products, international food and beverage items to various and trendy homeware articles, find everything you need for your daily life at very affordable prices. Open daily from 7am-9am Red Apron 15-17 Eo Street 240 Tel: 023 990 951 Home of wine enthusiasts in Phnom Penh is both a wine boutique and tasting gallery. With around 300 wines, the boutique has more range than the supermarkets. Open 9am-9pm.

Juli Handyani 409 eeo Street 246 Tel: 012 788 529 Juli Handayani Atelier was established in the early of 2012, primary focusing on beautifully crafted fashion for confident women.

banking

The Affluent Market For this month’s Maybank column, we look at the wealth of services available for affluent customers living and working in Cambodia.

Maybank caters to all walks of life and provides extended services to the rising affluent market in Cambodia. Our range of financial and investment options span many areas, offering benefits and privileges to help your money go further.

Affluent customers are granted instant access to our wealth products, advisory facilities and cross-border loans. And our suite of investment options and services is exhaustive, ranging from equities, structured products and foreign currency, to legacy planning.

High net worth customers, who maintain more than $2 million with Maybank, are also granted access to products, such as discretionary portfolio management and a Lombard Credit facility.

Other attractive bonuses take in complimentary airport lounge access, dining discounts, regional recognition, privilege current account and a personalised relationship banker.

And, thanks to our strong global network, privileged customers can tap into our international presence by using overseas facilities. Through our global network, customers have access to financial centres, such as Singapore and London, to facilitate credit facilities including property financing with selective developers.

This makes investing in the

region and globally a whole lot easier.

For those seeking to invest, Maybank is on hand to help. We assess customers’ banking needs, risk appetite and investment horizon through a risk profile matrix and make necessary advisory from licensed professionals.

With a discretionary portfolio mandate, customers are also able to take a passive role in investment.

Clients can also rest assured because our experts work closely with partners, especially in the areas of tax and legal advisory, and can connect customers with these partners for any preinvestment queries.

Most importantly is the ability to be able to speak to someone qualified, here in Cambodia, with regards to your investment. The CEO of Maybank Cambodia, Cynthia Liaw, is well versed in the legislation, regulation and industry code of practice as well as the industry and product knowledge, and has obtained certification from the Client Advisor Competency Standards (CACS).

This is an assessment applicable to private banking professionals in a client-facing role and provide financial advisory services to high net worth individuals.

Nicholas Wang, Maybank Cambodia’s Community Financial Services Strategy and Business Development Manager also has the relevant Capital Markets and Financial Advisory (CMFAS) certifications for dealing in Securities, and advisory on investment products.

To contact Maybank for further information, phone 098 / 099 888 028, email contact_us@maybank.com.kh or visit www.maybank2u. com.kh, where 24/7 live chat is available.

AsiaLIFE Cambodia 77

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78 AsiaLIFE Cambodia 1

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AsiaLIFE Cambodia 79

WELCOME TO A NIGHT FULL OF STARS

CHET L’or

A

fter having taken the backseat for decades due to an array of wars and instability, Cambodia’s music scene has gradually been revived with the help of the country’s millennials. After social media has taken control of the communication channel in the Kingdom, young artists have emerged and taken the spotlight, and this new generation is shining.

Facebook is filled with covers, however, a new creative movement is seeing many youngsters write their own material and post it on social media platforms. One organisation that is helping to push the movement is #IAmOriginal, a non-profit music foundation aimed at promoting original music in Cambodia by providing training, legal consultation, financial and marketing support, to artists who passionate in music. It unites emerging young and talented people who have solid experiences in entertainment, event management and media industry from producing creative media content to organising some of the most famous events in town, The original music movement is gaining traction on local grounds and has captured the attention of brands such as Angkor Premium Beer who recently partnered with #IAmOriginal in its latest Music Truck Festival featuring original artists.

The brand is actively looking at providing a platform for original musicians to showcase and develop their talent with their Phum Angkor festivals – a showcase of Khmer splendor. The festival aims to inspire Cambodians to celebrate their heritage through culture, arts and most importantly, music – and hopefully brews a culture that celebrates the creation and performance of original material.This month, AsiaLIFE throw the spotlight on some of Cambodia’s shining stars, represented by #IAmOriginal.

Van Chesda Van Chesda, 22, hails from Takmoa in Kandal Province. The singer-songwriter also specialises in rap, putting releases ‘Lok Pa’ and ‘Vihean One’ as his top hits. Chesda, who was a finalist in Cambodia’s Got Talent in 2015, is inspired by Cambodian traditional arts and international modern culture. “I try to combine these together and create a uniqueness in my style and music,” he says. “I’m very blessed to have a very good talent in rapping and vocals. However, what makes my music more unique is every single piece of melody and lyrics are coming from my soul.”

Narunrath Patthana Narunrath Patthana, 21, is a song-writer from Phnom Penh. Despite being a senior in architecture and urbanism, music is his passion. “People call me the “sad artist” based on the lyrics I’ve written,” he says, citing ‘Kleat pi Knea [distance]’ as his most popular hit to date. Focusing on the R&B and pop genres, Patthana strives to keep his lyrics and sound fresh. “Unique is an abstract word. Though, I can’t describe exactly how unique I am but I know that my inner soul stuck with music,” he says.

82 AsiaLIFE Cambodia

Oun Batham

Chhith Sovann Nimith

Kao Sophia

This talented 26-year-old hails from Ratanakiri and his musical skills span singing, song-writing and playing the guitar. He first unleashed his acoustic and pop sounds at a mini solo concert in 2010, promoting original music, before joining the Hear My Song competition run by Sabay. Contributing to Songkite’s Season of Love album, he cites his career highlight to date as starring on CBS Artists. “My vocals, with sweet lyrics make me unique.”

The 23-year-old from Phnom Penh is an independent artist – singer, song-writer and MC – as well as a traditional singer, proving modern and old can work alongside each other. Spanning musical genres, from R&B to rock pop, he says what makes him unique is his ability to do any style of songs. “I can be flexible as required,” also known as Ting Tong, he specialises in events management, and tries to blend all of his talents together..

As the youngest of the group, 19-year-old Sophia, from Phnom Penh, is a singer/ song-writer, who rounds out her musical skills with the guitar. Her first original song was ‘Hell’, and she is set to see some of her work feature in #IAmOriginal’s forthcoming album. Describing her style as a fusion between jazz, soul and R&B, Sophia says, “My songs have really different structures from other songs and I only write from personal experiences.”

AsiaLIFE Cambodia 83

This month, AsiaLIFE has scoured the interweb for apps aimed at the family.

Cozi Family Organizer (Free) | Keeping the family ship on-course is not easy.

Between work, school, hobbies, extracurricular activities and social events, it’s not always clear when we’re supposed to find time to do the important things, such as eating, sleeping, shopping and spending quality time together. Our smartphones may contain enough functions to assist in some ways, but unless mum, dad and the kids are all on the same page, chaos is only a missed appointment away.

Cozi allows everyone to keep track of each other’s schedules by utilising shared calendars and to-do lists, along with tools like real-time shopping lists.

The Playmatic (Free) | Your little ones will eventually get their hands on your iPad or iPhone one way or another. Make sure the first game they play is this one, and not Poker All Stars.

Aimed at aiding a baby’s cognitive development, rather than their ability to blow the heads off zombies, this suite of mini games is completely ad and popup free and has been designed for babies to play without the aid or supervision of adults. Simple visual rewards help little ones understand cause and effect, with puffs of colour, skydivers or popping bubbles appearing once certain areas of the screen are tapped. To exit the game, simply give your device a shake.

84 AsiaLIFE Cambodia

ChoreMonster (Free) | “Make chores fun by engaging and rewarding your kids.” Understanding the importance of team work is essential in any child’s development. Why not kill two birds with one stone and get your washing done for free while you’re at it? ChoreMonster is a web and mobile platform that allows kids to earn points for completing tasks. Points mean prizes, of course, and can be converted to real-world rewards and treats like candy, day trips or an hour with the Playstation power cable. Kids have their own dedicated login where they can track upcoming tasks and inform parents that they have been completed.

Draw Something (Free) | This drawing game is aimed at tapping into your creative side rather than your aptitude for bashing buttons or building make-believe villages. Da Vincilevel artistic skills are not required, just a sense of humour and the ability to wiggle your finger or stylus across the screen. The game begins by picking one of three words, of varying difficulties, and then trying to draw that word using simple tools and colour palettes. Your friends and family must then guess the word by looking at your drawing. Each correct guess earns coins which can be exchanged for more colours, or for handicap-style advantages.

boxoffice

ALIEN: COVENANT

PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: SALAZAR’S REVENGE

SNATCHED

BAYWATCH

The sci-fi saga continues as the second in the Alien prequel series and the eighth overall instalment, hits the big screen.

Bound for a remote planet on the far side of the galaxy, members (Katherine Waterston, Billy Crudup) of the colony ship Covenant discover what they think to be an uncharted paradise. While there, they meet David (Michael Fassbender), the synthetic survivor of the doomed Prometheus expedition.

The mysterious world soon turns dark and dangerous when a hostile alien life-form forces the crew into a truly deadly fight for survival.

Another series making a return is the fifth Pirates of the Caribbean outing. Thrust into an all-new adventure, a down-on-his-luck Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) feels the winds of ill-fortune blowing even stronger when deadly ghost sailors led by his old nemesis, the evil Captain Salazar (Javier Bardem), escape from the Devil’s Triangle. Jack’s only hope of survival lies in seeking out the legendary Trident of Poseidon, but to find it, he must forge an uneasy alliance with a brilliant and beautiful astronomer and a headstrong young man in the British navy.

For a bit of action comedy, Snatched has been securing rave reviews. After her boyfriend dumps her on the eve of their exotic vacation, impetuous dreamer Emily Middleton (Amy Schumer) persuades her cautious mum, Linda (Goldie Hawn), to travel with her to an inviting paradise. As polar opposites, they soon realise that working through their differences as mother and daughter is the only way to escape the outrageous jungle adventure that they have fallen into. Directed by Jonathan Levine and written by Katie Dippold, Amy Schumer and Kim Caramele.

Almost everyone has heard of Baywatch, the US TV show that catapulted Pamela Anderson and David Hasselhoff into fame throughout the 1990s, with slow motion shots of them and their perfect-bodied companions running along the LA beach they patrolled as lifeguards.

Based on the TV series, this action comedy focuses on two mismatched lifeguards, Mitch Buchannon (Dwayne Johnson) and Matt Brody (Zac Efron). They must put aside their personal differences and work with their team to stop a criminal mastermind’s drug trafficking operation.

COMING SOON MOVIE RELEASES Platinum See platinumcineplex.com/kh for screening schedule Alien: Covenant May. 18 Everything Everything May. 18 Baywatch May. 24 Pirates of the Caribbean: Salazar’s Revenge May. 25 Nightworld May. 29

Legend Cinemas See legend-cinemas.com for screening schedule Before I Fall May. 11 Snatched May. 12 King Arthur: Legend of the Sword May. 12 Alien: Covenant May. 18 Baywatch May. 24

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D2’S MAY 3. According to the BBC how many rooms are there in Buckingham Palace?

4. What is the busiest single-runway airport in the world?

5. Which Apollo moon mission was the first to carry a lunar rover vehicle?

6. What is the only Central American country in which baseball, not soccer, is the people’s favourite sport?

7. In what year were the Orkney Islands reannexed to Scotaland from Norway?

8. Which King of England was crowned on Christmas Day? 9. In the Adrian Mole Diaries, what is the surname of his girlfriend?

10. Tokelau is a dependency of which country?

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Pub Quiz Answers

2. What year was the first motor race held that was classed as Formula 1?

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1. 110 2. 1950 3. 775l 4. London Gatwick 5. Apollo 15 6. Nicaragua 7. 1472 8. William the Conqueror in 1066 9. Braiwaithe 10. New Zealand

1. How many stories did each of the World Trade Towers Have?

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