AsiaLIFE Cambodia February 2017

022017 ISSUE122

note from the editor AsiaLIFE Group 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

Associate Editor: Erin Hale

Marissa Carruthers

Accountants / Distribution: Seang Seiha 012 887 118 Distribution: Son Veasna 096 222 7231

Photographers: Enric Català & Lucas Veuve & Lim Sokchanlina 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.

022017 ISSUE122

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. 107

| FEBRUARY 2017

Living in the capital, it’s hard not to notice Valentine’s Day’s mounting popularity. Given Cambodia’s love for romance – listen to a song or watch a film to see the re-occurring theme – it’s easy to see why this Western festival would catch on.

However, in recent years Valentine’s Day has taken a sinister turn. What should be a day of harmless fun, a chance for school kids to timidly let their crush-of-sixweeks know how they feel, a day to remember why you love your significant other, has become a day synonymous with rape.

We speak to the public health expert whose research revealed an alarmingly high number of young Cambodian men expect to have sex with their partner, regardless of whether she agrees, on Valentine’s Day. Equally increasing amounts of men shower their partners with expensive gifts, expecting sex in exchange.

In a bid to curb the problem, last year the government issued educational blasts and encouraged schools to spread the message to pupils. However, experts and peers claim more needs to be done.

We also look at how dating has evolved in Cambodia, as well as some of the modern approaches taken to land a likely match.

Elsewhere, Erin Hale investigates the increasing pressure put on tuk tuks. With more metred taxis taking to the road, and a rising number of Uber-style apps being launched, competition is tight. But will it spell the end to the tuk tuk as we know it?

We also look at the upcycling trend, which is spreading its wings across the globe, and the efforts being made to rid Cambodia of rabies, curb the stray animal problem and boost pet care offerings in the capital.

With plenty more to whet the appetite, from food reviews and fashion, to robot education, tattoos and much more, enjoy reading February’s issue.

Siem Reap: Sarah Brown

Art Director Cambodia: Thang Pham L.C. leo@asialifemagazine.com

A walk through history Delving deep into grief A nomad’s life

INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS PUBLISHING HOUSE

www.asialifemagazine.com

4 AsiaLIFE Cambodia

FOR SALES ENQUIRIES: Jonathan Baxter Tel: 010 561 502

Next time you're in Vietnam, check out the latest issue of AsiaLIFE or download it from www.asialifemagazine.com

022017 ISSUE122

front

06 Events 09 Trending

getaway

40 A Nomad's Life 42 Health & Wellness: Mindfulness Cambodia

food

44 Indy House

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

45 Katanashi Japanese Tapas Bar 46 Irrawaddi Myanmar Gallery Restaurant

19 Photo Essay

47 City Drinks: Le Boutier

24 Q&A: Leo Jofeh

on the cover

26 Valentine Pressure

storyboard

32 Tuk Tuk War 34 Re-Fashioning Cambodia

style & design

48 The Smallest Details

back

54 Listings

50 Fade To Black

74 Map 82 Pub Quiz

36 Animal Mama 38 Brain Drain Or Gain

19

26 34

36 AsiaLIFE Cambodia 5

EVENTS

Sampot: Civilisé

by Chan Dany @Plantation From Angkorian-era bas-reliefs to contemporary ceremonies, the continuing presence of the silk garment, known as the sampot, has been an expression of Khmer culture for centuries. Chan’s exhibition comprises three series exploring the garment’s formal, material and social qualities.

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Until 12 FEB

1,3 & 10 FEB Joe Wrigley @Bassac Lane Musician Joe Wrigley and friends are taking over Phnom Penh this month with a trio of events. Ukulele James and Joe Wrigley present an acoustic gig at Shanghai Bar Blue Room on Feb. 1 from 9pm to 11pm. On Feb. 3, his band, The Blueberry Moonboys, celebrate two years of Farm to Table, from 6pm to 9pm. And on Feb. 10, Joe and The Jumping Jacks perform from 8pm at Bassac Lane.

Come Back Brighter @Kampot Old Royal Cinema Epic Arts presents the second annual outing of Come Back Brighter, its dance show that captivated audiences last year.

It combines contemporary and traditional dance with archive film to explore Cambodia’s golden era, tragic history and exciting future.

Travel through Cambodia’s past with Epic Encounters, a Cambodian dance ensemble with and without disabilities. $10 adults/$2.50 Khmer, $7 child/$1 Khmer child.

3 - 24 FEB

Every Tuesday & Friday 7.30pm

Dance with Hun Pen @IFC Cinema Royal Cinema

2 FEB 6.30pm

With a background in traditional Cambodian dance, Hun Pen has been experimenting for 10 years with contemporary dance.

Using body movements which speak to both a universal and poetic language in which what she questions the very nature of the self. $10 adult/ $5 under-18s and students.

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Chhreav Mountain Waterfall Hike A mini adventure in Thpong, Kampong Spue. Escape the city and explore the countryside, enjoy fresh air, mountain views and beautiful waterfalls. The 6km hike costs $20 (foreigner) and 15$ (Khmer), and includes a Cambodian guide, entry, bottle of water, fruit, cold towel and transport. Departs from the corner of Street 51 and Sihanouk Boulevard. Booking is essential at maichanneang@ gmail.com or 070 678 909.

5 FEB

3pm - 6pm

A Talk by Author Romain Puértolas @IFC cinema The French Institute of Cambodia, in partnership with Lycée français René-Descartes, hosts French writer Roman Puértolas for a conference and book-signing session. Since the release of The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir Who Got Trapped in an Ikea Wardrobe in 2013, the author has become a global success. This talk offers a glimpse into his latest books, The Little Girl Who Swallowed a Cloud as Big as the Eiffel Tower and Long Re-Live the Emperor.

8 FEB 6.30pm

9 FEB 7pm

Munkul Lokey (Bliss) @Canadia Tower Sophiline Cheam Shapiro’s original Khmer classical ballet will be performed on a specially constructed dance-floor hovering 118 metre over Phnom Penh.

Munkul Lokey (Bliss) is a renowned dance choreographed for composer John Zorn’s a cappella variations on the biblical Song of Songs, performed by Sophiline Arts Ensemble. $50, including dinner.

Mary and Takeshi @Farm to Table Pre-Valentine’s Day concert of classic jazz and bossa nova from one of Phnom Penh’s favourite duos. The popular duo return to Farm to Table for a preValentine’s Day concert of exquisite bossa and jazz standards.

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10 FEB

6pm - 8pm

Valentine’s Day Love it or hate it, Valentine’s Day has become an international phenomenon and one that has made it as far as Cambodia. Get ready for some massive traffic jams as songsaas take to the roads for a magical night out on the town, although thankfully this year it’s mid-week. Famously called the “most dangerous day of the year” by some of Cambodia’s more conservative leaders, it tends to be more saccharine than anything to foreign observers.

Phnom Penh bars, such as Space Hair, generally put on a good party without discriminating between couples or singletons.

First They Killed My Father

Angelina Jolie’s production of First They Killed My Father is set to premiere in Siem Reap on Feb. 18, with a worldwide release on Netflix around the same time. Jolie’s film is the cinematic retelling of a memoir of the same name by Cambodian Loung Ung about her experiences as a child under the Khmer Rouge. Jolie’s film was shot on location in Cambodia, with thousands of local extras, and was produced by acclaimed director Rithy Panh. The premiere will hopefully include an appearance by Jolie, who owns a home in Battambang, and her eldest son Maddox Jolie-Pitt.

Hot Season is Coming The slightly milder times are coming to an end alas and hot season is simmering on the horizon so make sure your AC unit and fans are in working order. While February can still be a bit cool, temperatures will start to rise by the end of the month from a cooler 27C to 32C to as high as 40C plus in mid-April. Book a holiday now to escape for Khmer New Year or plan a staycation at a hotel in Phnom Penh for a pool break and the unlimited air-conditioning of a hotel room.

fusion tapas hand made dumplings fresh hand pulled noodles

1980s Glam is Back

Cruising the fashion blogs for spring 2017 trends reveals 1980s glam is back, for the moment. Designers regularly like to recycle fashion trends from other decades, with the 1990s being the most recently revived era. Both Harper’s Bazaar and Elle allege that metallics, sequins, mini dresses and even oversized shoulder pads have made a comeback on the runway at New York Fashion Week via Saint Laurent, Kenzo, Isabelle Marant and Balenciaga. Perhaps it’s a nod to the elevation of 1980s kingpin Donald Trump to the White House. Hopefully this trend won’t last too long.

DELIVERY & TAKE AWAY

Add: #41b-Street 308 I Tole Bassac, Phume Phnom Penh Tel: 097 850 83 83 ●OPEN:11:00-23:00 AsiaLIFE Cambodia 9

OPenings AURA COFFEE ZEN CAFÉ Popular spa chain Aura has branched out into the world of caffeine, adding to the capital’s booming supply of coffee shop offerings. In line with the design of its spas, a contemporary industrial feel dominates.

Large sweeping arches form the entrance making it stand out, with floor-to-ceiling windows and white walls making the interior light and bright. Spacious inside, there are large tables offering privacy to cater for meetings, as well as a tropical outdoor area. In addition to the usual coffee offerings, Aura serves food, ranging from spaghetti bolognaise ($3.80), salmon tartare ($5.20), beef tenderloin in green pepper sauce ($9.80) and lasagne ($4), to lighter snacks, such as deep-fried potato balls ($2.80).

199 Norodom Boulevard, Phnom Penh. Tel: 099 639 988.

Open daily, from 6pm to 10pm.

RIDERS COFFEE & PUB

VINTAGE VIBE

Further beefing up Toul Tom Poung’s offerings, and fuelling the growing meaty motorbike trend among young Khmers, is Riders Coffee & Pub. Parking outside acts as a platform for its clientele to showcase their two-wheeled toys, with the modern inside – floor-toceiling windows, lofty space, light grey walls, cement floors flanked by delicately patterned tiles, sturdy wooden tables, colourful modern art and vintage paraphernalia – serving as a space to show the owners’ collection. Motorbikes stand on artistically placed wooden crafts, and vintage beauties sit next to comfy sofas below an oldschool telephone. Cocktails and cool beers are served.

202 Street 125, Phnom Penh. Tel: 099 973 333.

Open daily, from 6am to 11pm.

LA CHRONIQUE CAFÉ BISTRO

FRENCH CAFFEINE

We can almost hear the words, “Yet another coffee shop”. However, La Chronique is trying to shake things up a little with its style. Taking the traditional design you’d expect to see on the pavements of Paris and giving it a Cambodian taste, this café and bistro boasts tiled floors, combined with heavy wood and wrought iron effects. Specialising in providing toptasting coffee, its professionally-trained baristas use specially sourced variable temperature kettles and a Hairo drip scale to create smooth brews. Coffees take in ristretto ($1.79), gingerbread latte ($2.59/ $2.89) and blackeye ($2.19). Food includes pastries, cakes, cookies and muffins.

60 Street 135, Phnom Penh. Tel: 086 888 559.

Open daily, from 6pm to 9pm.

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UN ÉTÉ À KEP-SUR-MER FEMININE FASHION Un été à Kep-sur-Mer is a fashion fusion between sisters Neary, a communications manager in Paris, and Borany, a painting restorer at the National Museum in Phnom Penh. The intimate boutique – the latest in a flurry to open on the burgeoning lane off Street 51, next to Wat Langka – is full of dresses, tops and jumpsuits styled on the outfits the couple sport on both the banks of the Seine and Mekong. Delicate, simple and elegant, the variety of clothes on offer caters to all occasions, from day through to night.

Alley off Street 51, near Patio Hotel, Phnom Penh. Tel: 092 222 151.

Open daily, from 11am to 9pm.

TAMANDA MS FLOWER BEAUTIFUL BOUQUETS A bunch of flowers adds a splash of colour to even the dreariest of homes, and Tamanda Ms Flower boasts a kaleidoscope of options to do just that. The flower shop’s interior pays testament to how stylish bouquets can inject new life into simple surroundings. With flowers sourced from Holland, Thailand, China and Vietnam, it is bursting with colour throughout the year, and a range of blooms are available. Also catering to large and small events, specialists are on hand to help make that special day memorable. And with Valentine’s Day coming up, and the rose being its best-seller, expect February to be a busy month.

9b Street 155, Phnom Penh. Tel: 0 92 222 151.

Open daily, from 9am to 7pm.

CAMBODIA KNITS ETHICAL DESIGNS Cambodian Creations is a fair-trade shop curating creative designs from talented Cambodian artisans. Home to three partner brands, Cambodia Knits, Khmer Creations and FAIRWEAVE, the shop also promotes and sells products created by social enterprises from across the country making it a one-stop ethical shop in Phnom Penh. In store can be found the adorable Sleepy Snoogu range from Cambodia Knits, the creative, upcycled jewellery line from Khmer Creations and naturally dyed, high-quality silk and cotton scarves and blankets from FAIRWEAVE. The shop also plans to host classes later in the year in jewellery-making, knitting, crochet and other handicrafts.

Street 240 ½, Phnom Penh. Tel: 023 631 7914.

Open Sunday to Thursday from 9am to 6pm and Friday and Saturday from 9am to 8.30pm

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news

FEB BY KATE 2017 BURBRIDGE

Dancing Above the City

A DANCE with a little extra height is set to fly across the capital in a unique spectacular this month.

In a daring and unprecedented move, on a specially constructed dance-floor hovering 118 metre over Phnom Penh, a dance performance will take place on a helipad atop the Canadia Tower, Cambodia’s second-tallest skyscraper.

Munkul Lokey (Bliss) is renowned choreographer Sophiline Cheam Shapiro’s original Khmer classical ballet performed to composer John Zorn’s a cappella variations on the biblical Song of Songs.

The piece invokes romance, lyricism, spirituality and erotic passion.

The choreography and music were commissioned in 2008 by the Guggenheim Museum’s Works and Process Series.

Having premiered at the famous New York museum to great acclaim, the dance is performed by Sophiline Arts Ensemble, with watercolour-like costumes especially designed by Cheam Shapiro to shine under the moonlit sky.

Cheam Shapiro’s groundbreaking choreography is distinguished by its impeccable technique, its interdisciplinary

collaboration and its expansion of the Cambodian classical vocabulary to realise new works. Cheam Shapiro has choreographed her original works for some of Cambodia’s most technically proficient classical dancers and toured notable venues across four continents, including Amsterdam’s Muziektheater, Cambodia’s Les Nuits d’Angkor Festival, Beijing’s China Conservatory, New York’s Joyce Theater and Vienna’s Schonbrunn Palace Theater.

The dancers of the 12-member troupe are known for developing and performing the original dances of Cheam Shapiro, rarely seen works from the canon, and they self-choreographed pieces in traditional and experimental styles.

Composer, MacArthur “Genius” Fellow, John Zorn is an American avant-garde composer, arranger, producer and multiinstrumentalist with hundreds of album credits as performer, composer, and producer across a variety of genres.

He incorporates diverse styles in his compositions, which he identifies as avantgarde or experimental.

Munkul Lokey (Bliss) takes place on Feb. 9, with 100 tickets available for $50, including food and soft drinks. They can be bought from Java Café, The 240 and Canadia Tower.

Joss Stone TakeS to Stage in Siem Reap THE sizzling jazz sounds of UK musician Joss Stone will ripple across Temple Town when Joss Stone closes the second ChubMet Music and Art Festival.

The Grammy Award-winning singersongwriter has sold 12 million albums worldwide, establishing herself as one of the best-selling artists of her time. She has recorded and performed with a string of revered artists, including Stevie Wonder, James Brown, Lauryn Hill and A R Rahman.

At 29, Stone has been a star for half her life. She released her debut album The Soul

Sessions at 16, becoming the youngest British female singer to top the UK album chart. Her third album Introducing Joss Stone was her first top five album in the US. The Chub Met Festival starts on Feb. 17 with a parade, projection mapping, art and photo exhibitions and music performances at Kandal Village Carnival.

Feb. 18 brings Music with Giant Puppet Parade, a family-friendly event featuring Nikki Nikki and Kmeng Khmer at Raffles Garden. Battle of the Bands takes place on Feb. 21 at X Bar. A hip hop and street art

event on Feb. 23, with UK rap sensation Professor Elemental, French rapper 12me, Cambodia’s own DJ Niko Yu, Lisha & Aja Thom, and live urban art from Chifumi is at Triangle Bar. Ancient and Modern Sounds takes place on Feb. 24 sees performances by Rasmee, Krom Monster and Kampot Playboys at FCC Angkor. ChubMet Sen Sabay takes place on Feb. 25 with music and comedy at CTN Angkor Arena. The event culminates with Stone’s performance on Mar. 2 at Jaya House River Park.

Living

ICHING Decor

INTERIOR DESIGN & FURNITURE

we heave a new address! #31 maotsetoung blvd tel: 023214285 / 092660746 12 AsiaLIFE Cambodia

AsiaLIFE Publisher Wins Book Award AsiaLIFE publisher Mark Bibby Jackson’s debut novel To Cook A Spider has received international recognition at the prestigious 2016 Gourmand World Cookbook Awards.

The competition’s jury announced that To Cook A Spider was the national winner for Cambodia in the categories of Best Self-Published Book and Best Asian Cuisine Book in the annual awards.

The first in Bibby Jackson’s Cambodian trilogy, To Cook A Spider highlights contemporary Cambodian cooking as it follows protagonist Inspector Sorn Satya into a murky underworld of murder, blackmail and betrayal.

“Great title, by a talented writer with

World’s Oldest Zero

The National Museum is exhibiting what is considered by some experts to be the world's oldest zero symbol, a dot in a set of scriptures from the Khmer civilisation carved into sandstone at the Trapang Prei archaeological site in Kratie. Archaeologists date this to pre-Angkorian 687 AD.

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

Nominated last year, Bibby Jackson’s novel will go on to compete against winners from other countries for the Best in the World titles in the relevant categories. The results will be announced on May 27 and 28 at the annual Gourmand Awards Ceremony, in Yantai, China.

“This is a great privilege, not only for myself but also for Cambodia to achieve

Tourism on the Rise

Ministry of Tourism figures for 2016 reveal a continuing steady upward rise in visitors to the Kingdom of Wonder.

China tops the tourist tables, closely followed by Vietnam with Thailand, Laos and South Korea behind. Europe and the Americas accounted for about 22 percent of visitors.

Found in Translation

such recognition,” says Bibby Jackson. “I hope that this brings greater recognition to the fledgling fiction writing scene emerging in the Kingdom.”

Released in November last year, Bibby Jackson’s second novel, Peppered Justice, continues the culinary theme, with Inspector Satya once more pitting his wits against a daunting adversary.

“I’m trying to create a kind of culinary crime noir,” says the author, who is currently working on the third in the series.

Both Bibby Jackson’s novels, as well as his novella Always, are available as e-books at Amazon or can be purchased at Monument Books.

Microsoft plans to add Khmer to the 60 languages in its Translator Hub, carrying out test translations from Khmer to other languages during the next six months. Small and medium-size enterprises, students, academics and others will be able to translate other languages to Khmer.

Footballer on Loan to Japan

One of Cambodia’s top footballers has become the first to test his skills in a Japanese league. Striker Chan Vathanaka, 23, joined Fujieda MYFC on loan from his club, Boeung Ket Angkor FC, until later this year. Chanis set to be paid about $10,000 a month by the Japanese club.

INVESTING IN FUTURES. As a not-for-profit school, International School of Phnom Penh invests more in our most important resources. Our highly qualified, experienced and engaged teachers are carefully selected from around the world to help our students fulfil their academic and personal potential.

NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR AUGUST 2017 FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT

ADMISSIONS@ISPP.EDU.KH

AsiaLIFE Cambodia 13

TOP FIVE

Thailand’s capital has an amazing skyline, especially at night.

AsiaLIFE suggests some top vantage points for taking in the spectacle and enjoying a drink or two at the same time.

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Attitude A relatively recent addition to the capital’s lofty nightlife attractions, Attitude has precisely that. Overlooking the Chao Phraya river, the compact bar area affords spectacular views to accompany the chic design, artisan cocktails and delicious fusion food. With live music or DJs each night, this place starts to pop later on, while still allowing customers to chill outside. Take the courtesy boat from the pier next to Saphan Taksin BTS and you can combine your trip with a mini-cruise.

Unfortunately the spectacular infinity pool is only for hotel guests, which provides the perfect excuse to stay the night.

26th Floor, Avani Riverside

L’Appart Set on the 32nd floor of the Art Deco-inspired Sofitel Sukhumvit, L’Appart is much more than a room with a view.

The Parisian Haussmann-style interior is conceived as a French apartment in the centre of Bangkok where DJs play at night, with an adjoining library and restaurant. But it is the outside terrace that is the real draw with its 270° views of the sprawling city below. Reserve a table and enjoy one of the signature cocktails as the sun sets and the lights come on. Located just around the corner from popular Soi 11, this is the perfect spot to start your night in sky-high style.

32nd Foor, Sofitel Sukhumvit, 189 Sukhumvit Road Soi 13-15

Above Eleven Obviously it’s not all about the toilets, but, oh my, these bathrooms are something else – dubbed “observatories” of the vibrant cityscape below by management. With ceiling to floor glass windows, the Bangkok skyline twinkling below is probably the best view you’re going to get while sat on the loo. Perched on the 33rd floor of Fraser Suites Sukhumvit, Above Eleven comes complete with a hedge maze, custom-designed structural trees, foliage and fantastic views.

Inspired by New York’s Central Park, the bar and restaurant – the first Peruvian Japanese eatery in Southeast Asia – stands out from the crowd, and is definitely worth a visit. DJs pump out the tunes until the early hours and there is a cocktail menu to die for. If you’re wearing flip flops and sleeveless shirts, expect to be turned away.

33rd Floor, 38/8 Soi Sukhumvit 11

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About Octave Rooftop Lounge & Bar With its healthy array of seating options and slightly off-thetourist-track location, Octave affords customers a greater chance of securing a lofty perch of the capital’s sprawling cityscape than other prime locations. Spread across three floors of the Marriot Hotel Sukhumvit starting on the 45th, the first floor has a relaxed lounge vibe, with DJs playing throughout the night. The balcony bar sits above, with the pièce de resistance on the top floor in the form of a 360o rooftop with a circular bar, where cocktails are mixed in style and music blasts until the early hours. A short stroll from Thong Lor BTS station, Octave is the perfect launch pad for hitting the popular Thong Lor and Ekamai nightlife.

Sirocco With sirocco being the Mediterranean wind that sweeps from the Sahara across North Africa and southern Europe, it comes as little surprise that this super stylish gem serves up refined Mediterranean cuisine coupled with creative cocktails from the Sky Bar. With rare delicacies sourced from across the world – sometimes exclusively to the venue – dinner can come at a price, and may well be visitors’ most expensive in the Thai capital. However, the experience is worth the price tag.

Located on the 63rd floor of Tower Club at lebua Hotel, every last detail has been mulled over, from the artistically lit staircase that acts as an entrance, with the city sparkling below, to the soothing sounds of gentle jazz that waft in the warm breeze.

63rd Floor, 1055 Silom Road, Bangrak

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45-47th Floor, 2 Sukhumvit Road Soi 57

DAY IN THE LIFE

Hand Poke Tattoo Artist

Flori Green Words by Marissa Carruthers. Photography by Lim Sokchanlina.

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T

he hand poke tattoo trend may well be sweeping across the West but its origins stretch back centuries to Southeast Asia, when Buddhist monks would have religious texts and symbols inked by grand master monks.

Today, in a world where popular culture has declared tattoos a fashionable accessory once again, hand poke – or bamboo – tattoos are making a comeback, and selftaught artist Flori Green is quickly making a name for herself across Cambodia.

Unlike machine tattoos, the hand poke alternative is carried out with a sharp bamboo stick. For health and safety reasons, Green uses sterile tattoo needles. “A machine cuts the skin and creates a wound,” she says.

“Poking each dot takes more time but doesn’t create any cuts, which allows the skin to heal faster. It is definitely less intrusive.”

The 27-year-old French expat, who has lived in Cambodia for the last seven months, tattooed herself for the first time with a gun 18 months ago, sparking her love for inking. After travelling with a Dutchman, she was introduced to bamboo tattoos when he gave Green her first a year ago. During a visit to Phnom Penh in June, Green penned her first poke tattoo on a pal, setting her off on a new career path.

“When I realised I had a good response, I kept going. It became, not so slowly but surely, another passion.”

Frist experimenting with geometric shapes, Green’s abstract pieces were an instant hit, and she honed her skills as more customers requested varying designs.

“I believe every time I tattoo someone I learn something new, and I have the feeling it will never stop,” she says.

Thanks to her lack of heavy machinery, Green is able to fit her kit in her backpack and tattoo customers at their homes, or at hers.

She has also organised a series of tattoo events, including Karma Tattoo Week in Kampot, several “tattoo raffles” at Tusk in Phnom Penh and gigs at Show Box. For Green, no two days are the same. As an artist, she tries to keep mornings free to paint, answer emails, take bookings and research.

Afternoons are devoted to tattooing, with Green carrying out a maximum of two a day.

“I usually paint or draw to empty my mind so I’m ready for the tattoo,” she says. “Sometimes, it takes six hours for a big piece. In that case I dedicate my whole day to my customers, who often become friends by the end of the tattoo.”

Green, who has 10 inkings - six done by herself, says one of her first tattoos of 2017 stands out. Taking six hours to complete, the intricate design stretches across half of her friend’s back. “It’s the biggest one I’ve done so far. Also, it’s one of the first one of the year so I hope it will bring me some luck.”

With supplies being limited in Cambodia, Green sources materials during visits to Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia, or call in a favour when travelling friends pass through the Kingdom.

As well as tattooing, painting is another passion.

Find Flori Green on Facebook or email florigreenart@gmail.com.

PHOTO ESSAY

BY PHILONG SOVAN

W

hen Philong Sovan decided to concentrate on personal projects after working as a staff photographer at the Phnom Penh Post, he perfectly knew for what purpose and with what tools?

To approach In the City by Night, a series he is still working on, he invented a clever device, that is simple, surprising and efficient at the same time. Using the headlight of his motorbike, he reveals what we don’t see and concentrates on the people who become representatives of the different aspects of the city.

With his delicate and strong feeling of colour, between portraiture and focus on situations, he invents a new status of documentary. He is not only describing, he asks questions because we recognise what we see but we rarely see it as he shows it. The light he adds permits a feeling of realistic fiction, close to a cinematographic tradition.�

Text by Christian Caujolle.

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LEO JOFEH

Efforts are being made to boost STEM education across the Kingdom. Editor Marissa Carruthers meets founder of STEM Phnom Penh, Leo Jofeh, to see how he is helping the efforts.

Photography by Enric Català.

and training is to create an engaging and rewarding learning experience. Cambodia needs a new generation with excellent STEM skills in order to compete internationally – we want to help out with that.

There has been government push for STEM to be taught in schools. Why is it important?

What is STEM?

STEM is the abbreviation of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. Many people would add an A for Arts, making STEAM. This addition reflects the fact that these subjects may be important in a utilitarian sense, but they also inspire passion and creativity.

Tell us more about STEM Phnom Penh?

STEM Phnom Penh was set up two years ago to help individuals, businesses and schools explore the possibilities of these subjects.

We provide training and tuition, consulting and exciting products such as robots and electronics, all designed and made here in Cambodia. We have also recently branched out into process automation solutions and training for commerce and light industry.

What benefits does STEM Phnom Penh bring to Cambodia?

Ultimately businesses and schools want to develop staff and students who are motivated and skilful learners. We believe that the key to effective teaching

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The government recognises that STEM is of great importance if Cambodia is to develop further and compete internationally.

People with STEM skills are in huge demand the world over as productive employees, but perhaps more importantly as entrepreneurs and technologists, who in turn create employment.

What is your background?

I’m originally from South Wales in the UK, but moved to Cambodia four years ago.

Although I currently focus on robotics and electronics, my academic background is in physics and complex systems simulation – these are still my favourite subjects to explore as a teacher.

Can you explain more about robotics?

Educational robots are small, tough, friendly robots designed to be used in the classroom.

The point is to take complex, abstract subjects such as coding or programming and turn them into playful, practical learning experiences for students. A typical learning experience might be teaching a robot how to complete a maze or to mimic

an animal. Students grasp the point very quickly, have great fun interacting with and teaching the robot, and build a strong base of understanding in coding without realising it. The robots can be taught in many coding languages, so one teaching resource can be used for multiple topics, and age groups, with ease.

What is 3D printing and how is it evolving in Cambodia?

3D printing is a technology for rapidly creating small plastic objects from 3D designs on a computer. It’s getting cheaper, faster and better in quality all the time, and it has been available here in the Kingdom for a few years already.

We use 3D printing in the classroom and in training, building valuable experience with CNC machinery for students, and inspiring them to make imaginative use of 3D modelling software. It fits in perfectly with concepts in STEM curricula, and can bridge the gap between ITC, materials science and design.

How have students reacted?

You should ask them. But I see students engaging with concepts and asking intelligent questions, debating their ideas, and building the ability to learn for themselves during our many sessions.

STEM subjects are unusual – they’re broad and deep, practical and abstract, complex and clear, definite and creative.

The right tool or technique can make a massive difference

to students' understanding in teaching or training.

How do you see this area developing in Cambodia?

Explosively. We already know about the focus that government and non-governmental organisations have brought to bear on STEM in recent years, and this focus will inevitably be mirrored by businesses as Cambodia’s economy transitions to high-tech fields.

Demand for STEM skills is rising rapidly, and we need to think beyond simply adding money – we need to find effective ways to develop these skills and promote motivated learning throughout formal education and into the workplace.

If you run a business, what actions are you taking to help your staff upgrade their skills?

If you run a school, how are you making sure your teachers are enabled to get the best out of your students? Cambodia must work to differentiate itself from the crowd.

What does the future hold for STEM Phnom Penh?

We will work to create better learning experiences for students in teaching and training. We are also working to create affordable automation solutions for businesses interested in improving quality, reducing process and downtime, and developing their staff’s skillsets.

For more information email info@stemphnompenh.com or to see how STEM Phnom Penh can help to automate processes in business, contact automation@ stemphnompenh.com.

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26 AsiaLIFE Cambodia

Valentine’s Day has gained popularity across Cambodia in recent years, but has taken on a sinister twist. Editor Marissa Carruthers looks at how the day has become synonymous with rape, the dating game’s cultural shift and the use of apps to connect with potential partners.

Photography by Enric Català.

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C

lusters of heart-shaped helium balloons float above the mounting crowds as a stream of motorbikes pull over to purchase a last-minute gift for their lovers from the string of sellers gathered near Wat Langka. Koh Pich and the capital’s riverside are cluttered with strolling couples holding hands, stopping to gaze lovingly into each other’s eyes before, possibly, planting a coy peck on the cheek.

This is a typical sight across Phnom Penh, and increasingly the rest of the country, as Valentine’s Day continues to catch on across the Kingdom, especially among the younger generations.

“The idea of love and the joy it brings is deeply ingrained in the psyche of young Cambodians,” says Deependra Gauchan, co-director and co-producer of Cambodian rom-com Love to the Power of 4, which was released in cinemas countrywide last month and follows youngsters search for romance. “Finding love has become a quest that most young Cambodians embark on, and those with successful pairings enjoy admiration and prestige among their peers.”

While Valentine’s Day, which is popular across the West, was relatively unheard of – and rarely celebrated – in the Kingdom little more than a decade ago, in the last five years it has caught on, especially with the younger generation who have embraced it with aplomb.

“Today, Valentine’s Day is huge in Cambodia; everybody takes it really seriously,” says native Phnom Penher, Maggie Run. “It’s become like Christmas now with signs and hearts everywhere.

When it hits town, there are promotions, like buy one get one for your partner, and restaurant and guesthouse offers.”

Valentine’s Dark Side

“Valentine’s Day is a foreign event but now it has a mass audience within our country as well. I see it as a day of love; not just for couples but for families and friends,” says Virak Vinick, adding she always buys something special for her parents on this “day of love”.

Unlike the Western way of

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marking the day, where love is directed towards a significant other, Virak’s family sentiment is echoed by her peers.

“Valentine’s Day doesn’t make sense to our culture,” adds Run. “It’s a day to express love to your loved ones, yet we go to our partners and leave our parents at home. Sharing love should include the family, not leaving them alone.”

Despite these objections, February 14 sees the capital and beyond overrun with all things relating to romance. From stalls selling roses by the dozen to balloon sellers, supermarkets full of chocolate hearts and deals galore on meals and overnight stays advertised in full force.

However, as February 14’s popularity grew, so did misunderstanding surrounding it, with the day dedicated to love taking a sinister turn among some of the country’s youth.

“Valentine’s Day is also known as the day when young girls lose their virginity in the largest numbers,” says Gauchan.

“Young people in Cambodia wait for this day to consummate their relationships as a celebration of their love. However, this often comes at the expense of the women who give into their men just to prove their love. So Valentine’s Day, although a day of celebration, has a dark pallor around it due to the pressure on women having to relent to their partner’s sexual insistence perhaps when they themselves are not ready or comfortable.”

In 2014, the majority of guesthouses in Phnom Penh – with many offering Valentine’s Day discounts and special offers – were booked out, with many underage couples checking in. Independent public health researcher Tong Soprach released the results of his study on sexual relations in Cambodia on Valentine’s Day, with shocking results, sparking an immediate reaction from the government.

Having first carried out his study in 2009, in 2014 Tong followed up, asking a sample of wealthier youngsters aged 15 to 24 what plans they had for sexual activity on Valentine’s Day. He discovered 11.3 percent of those quizzed in 2014 thought they would be able to have sex

on Feb. 14, with 15.8 percent of those in a couple planning to have sex for the first time. Of those, 30.2 percent said they would not use protection.

Of the young men surveyed, 47.4 percent admitted they planned on having sex with their partners regardless of whether they agreed. In 2009, this stood at 66.6 percent.

“Young men said they would put pressure on their girlfriends,” says Tong. “They would tell her that if they don’t have sex it means we don’t really love each other, or take her far away from town to try and have sex.”

Excessive spending and splurging has become another issue, adds Tong, with men splashing the cash in anticipation of sex. “They will buy an expensive bracelet or some jewellery, and expect something in exchange."

“There is a lot of misunderstanding what the day is all about,” says health researcher Tong Soprach. “The marketing is all about love and this can lead to some young men taking advantage of the celebrations.”

After Tong released his findings, the government took urgent measures with ministries issuing warnings through schools as well as sending blasts across mobile networks reminding youngsters the day is not synonymous with sex and to resist pressure from partners.

Special offers in guesthouses were banned, and couples checking in had to provide proof of age.

Poems have also been penned in Khmer reminding girls not to be persuaded into exchanging love for a few roses, says Sok Arunwattey, 23. “For many elders, it is considered a day when bad teenagers give their girlfriend roses or gifts as a way of asking or persuading her for sex in return to express their love towards each other.”

Tong, who will carry out his research again in 2019, says his 2014 study revealed a slight decrease in the number of men admitting to non-consensual sex, but added much greater efforts need to be put into educating youngsters on the meaning of Valentine’s Day, as well as sex

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30 AsiaLIFE Cambodia

education in schools and from their parents.

“It is worrying that there is a lot of sex without condoms,” he says. “This can lead to sexually transmitted diseases as well as unwanted pregnancies. This affects lives and is a big mistake in society. There is a lot of regret in women the next day as well.

The local authorities need to play more of an active role, and parents need to be aware of this as well.”

Modern Dating

“Dating is very different today than when I was young,” says mother-of-three Tan Sros, who lives in the capital, but grew up in Takeo province. “There was not really any dating.”

At the age of 16, she was offered a proposal from the family of her husband-to-be, which was accepted by her family. “He was 24 and saw me, fell in love and wanted to marry me straight away. His parents approached mine and that is what happened.”

While arranged marriages are still common across Cambodia, more so in the provinces, times are changing. Young couples are regularly seen in the streets showing public displays of affection, however, unlike previous generations when couples openly flouting their courtship were expected to marry, this is no longer the case.

“There seems to be much more social acceptance for love relationships, which are boldly modelled after the Western brand of dating,” says Gauchan.

“Young couples are seen everywhere, making intimate physical contact short of crossing the boundaries of decency in public. In comparison, older generations held dating to be an initiation of a relationship that culminated in marriage, whereas dating among young Cambodians is more of a social interaction that’s meant for couples to discover and test each other out, often without the compulsion of the relationship ending in marriage.”

Social media has also played a pivotal role in the shift in dating, with various websites and apps presenting new opportunities for Cambodians to meet up with others, both local and foreign.

Hook-up app Tinder is proving

increasingly popular with the younger generation, especially men looking for one-night stands. “Me and some of my friends signed up to Tinder because it is a good way to meet foreigners,” says Heng*. “Often you can do more with them than Cambodian women.”

Social Media

While bisexual Run tends to steer clear of Tinder – “the men are just looking for sex and I’m not so we’re not in the same place,” she says – she did strike lucky.

Three months ago, she met her current Cambodian girlfriend on the dating app, and things seem to be going strong.

“It’s definitely becoming more popular,” the 23-yearold says. “Lots of people are on their looking for partners, but a lot of the time it shows a lot of desperation.” She adds Facebook is a popular tool for young Cambodians to “hunt” for partners, trawling through friends’ pages to find a possible suitor before getting in touch via Messenger in the hope it will lead to something more.

Cambodian app Matchstix launched in 2015, offering a tamer way to meet than Tinder.

Boasting 89,050 users, it works more like WhatsApp, enabling users to chat with those they are interested in before deciding whether to meet in person.

“You tend to meet a different type of person on there,” says Heng. “I would use this if I’m looking for love. I use Tinder for other things.”

Social media and the internet has also filled the sexual education gap, with many youngsters turning to it for advice on sexual health, relationships and love.

“Social media is a very powerful tool,” says Virak.

“Many young people go there because it’s open and they can find information they can’t from school or their parents, and that’s important. Some parents and schools will tell them about how to protect themselves but that’s not enough.”

She adds that at high school she was taught sex education that was limited to the study of the human body. “It didn’t stress sexual topics; it was limited to the human body, and this doesn’t help the problem.”

Parental Pressure

As Cambodia develops and continues to welcome different cultures, attitudes and morals are changing – something many parents struggle with.

“It’s not like it used to be,” says Tan, who believes the infiltration of Western culture is partially to blame. “Although I think I am more relaxed than many other parents, I worry about my two daughters. I want to see them with a good man who will look after them, but I have to let them decide.”

The days of arranged marriages are dwindling, especially in urban areas, with youngsters taking it upon themselves to choose their partner, date, ditch, then date again, if they choose.

“Most parents hope to be the ones who decide but it’s about 50-50 nowadays,” says Run, who is apprehensive about telling her parents she is dating a female.

“Sex before marriage is also common these days, although many parents would try and force their child to get married to that person if they found out.”

This changing trend comes coupled with a rise in Westerninfluenced engagements, with an increasing number of Cambodians getting down on one knee to propose with a ring in a romantic setting in the hope their loved one will say I do.

This is often followed by the man bringing gifts to his wife-tobe’s parents.

“Often there will be a year or two of engagement,” says Virak.

“The idea is for the parents and relatives to get to know each other.” She adds that elders will still gossip if a couple are dating openly with no signs of commitment whereas if they are engaged, rumours aren’t fuelled.

As Cambodia witnesses change with regard to dating and relationships, and the message about safe and unpressured sex gain momentum, hopes remain high that this Valentine’s Day will pass by with much fewer succumbing to sexual pressures from partners.

“Valentine’s Day is not a bad thing,” says Run. “I hope more young Cambodians realise it doesn’t mean they have to have sex, and if they decide to, they do it safely.”

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With an increasing number of tuk tuks fighting for customers, more metred taxis on the road and the launch of a series of Uber-style apps, the traditional tuk tuk is struggling to survive. Erin Hale finds out more. Photography by Enric Català.

I

t’s the early hours of the morning and the party is winding down. It’s time to go home but the streets are deserted without a tuk tuk in sight, and then the rain starts to pour.

This is an all-too-common scenario for many living in the capital, along with haggling over fares, which seem to be increasing across the capital, and waking up a driver dozing in a hammock that precariously swings inside his vehicle.

The good news for passengers in Phnom Penh is these days are coming to an end, thanks to a rise in private taxis that operate through the night, coupled with the launch of several app-based taxi and tuk tuks that operate 24/7.

The bad news for traditional tuk tuk drivers is the rise in competition coupled with these factors is leading to a huge oversupply, fierce competition and a struggle to make ends meet.

“There is too much competition today; too many tuk tuks on the road. It is very difficult to make money,” says Tan Sopheap, who has been driving tuk tuks in the capital for the last five years.

Catering mainly to the tourist and Western expat market having enrolled on an English course to boost his potential clientele, the 36-year-old fears his livelihood will be threatened further as more customers turn to services such as EXNET Taxi and EZGo, which provide customers with metred taxis, tuk tuks and SUVs that can be booked through smart phones and rely on GPS to set a pickup and destination point – think Uber and Lyft.

The rise in private hire taxis on the road is also led by demand, with safety, comfort, ease, an escape from the fumes of mounting traffic in the capital and

cost all being cited as the reasons many residents opt to use them.

“Some of my customer get taxis because they say at night it is safer,” Tan says. “The roads are more busy with more cars these days, so they also like to be inside with air-conditioning. This worries me because making money is very hard for me now.”

GPS is another major perk that comes with EZGo and EXNET, taking away the often lengthy time spent trying to find locations. Both EXNET and EZGo, known as PassApp Taxi in iTunes and Google Play stores, rely on the same third-party software that can pinpoint locations on Google Maps. The driver’s location and journey can then be tracked using GPS. Canadian expat Mia Chung, who recently used EXNET for a ride to the city suburbs, says the service was easier than calling a taxi or hailing down a tuk tuk on the street.

“We were looking to go a bit out of town and wanted a reliable method. [EZNET] was recommended to me by a friend, among many options, including a couple of taxi numbers,” Chung says. “This was better because I didn't have to fuss with bad phone connection, not hearing the other end, translation issues and, because this has a GPS tracker and is location-based, you don't have any question of accuracy or address miscommunication.”

Taxis and app-organised tuk tuks also come faster than other services, claims Dutch customer Janneke Hoogestraten.

When she calls her regular cab driver at night it can take up to 30 minutes for him to arrive. EXNET takes “five minutes” since it works with a fleet of vehicles running 24 hours a day.

Annabelle Hor, who founded EXNET with her husband Daluch, says while they have

seen growth since launching in June, they are struggling to court Cambodians, who see the app as potentially more expensive or difficult to use, opting to call taxis or their regular driver instead.

“When we started, it was something very new in Cambodia, so we could see not everyone, especially local Cambodian people, knew how it worked,” Hor says.

“What we could see with our study is at least every month it’s growing because more people are getting to how this system works.”

Rates, however, are highly competitive, with a 1,000 riel ($0.25) to 2,000 riel ($0.50) flag-down fee and charge of 1,400 riel ($0.34) to 2,600 riel ($.0.64) per kilometre depending on the vehicle. EXNET has a fleet of 400 metred taxis and SUVs on call, EZGo specialises in small Indian-style metred tuk tuks, and now taxis.

Hor is thinking of branching into other cities, such as Siem Reap or Sihanoukville.

She also says she is considering working with regular tuk tuks to court tourists seeking a more “local” experience than a taxi or SUV ride – which may mean drivers such as Tan can stay in the loop of Cambodia’s transit changes.

Despite the perks of taxis, including air-conditioning and eliminating the fear of late-night bag snatches, there’s still something to be said for personal preference of tuk tuks or the novelty for tourists of riding in one of Southeast Asia’s most iconic vehicles. “[Tourists] want to feel the typical Cambodian experience,” says Hor. “That’s one thing we are also considering before moving to Siem Reap, because if I am a tourist I would prefer to ride the tuk tuk because I like the style.”

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Upcycling is a trend that is sweeping across the Kingdom. Jessica Tana goes behind the scenes to find out more. Photography by Enric Català.

“I

t’s about making something beautiful from something that’s not,” Vanessa Ferrer says, referring to the hammered ring, made of brass melted from bombshells that she holds in her hand. “It’s about making something beautiful from tragedy.”

Ferrer is explaining how her label, La Boots, transforms by-products, waste materials and unwanted items into something of better quality or higher value.

Like the jewellery made from used artillery, upcycling re-purposes items from the past and aims to expose the shocking amount of waste created by mass production.

“It’s the beginning of a movement,” Ferrer says, acknowledging that the trend is slowly taking root in a country known for its many garment factories.

Aside from jewellery, La Boots also makes colourful accessories from traditional, hand-loomed Cambodian fabric.

Kromas are re-fashioned to make pretty, patterned tote bags, iPad cases, passport holders and purses.

While the traditional fabric is intricate and well-made, it has, so far, attracted little attention on the global market. By repurposing this fabric into practical items, La Boots creates a modern accessory that retains its Cambodian feel.

“I want people to be proud that something is Cambodian made,” Ferrer says. “I want to be an ambassador for Cambodian products.”

While supporting the cultural aspect of the fabric, Ferrer also buys her krama material directly from weavers in Takeo province, creating jobs for women in the countryside. By combining the off-cuts of fabric from garment factories she also minimises industry waste.

“Cambodia has a big problem with 34 AsiaLIFE Cambodia

garment factory waste,” says Rachel Faller, creator of fashion label Tonlé. “I don’t think people around the world have an understanding of just how big the problem of waste in the garment industry is.”

Faller knows a lot about clothing waste; she has to, running a fashion label that produces zero amount of it. Tonlé, the Khmer word for river, takes clothes production to an entirely new level. While most garment factories produce on average 40 percent of waste product, Tonlé produces none. It is a time-consuming upcycling process, but one done with passionate regard for the environment.

Faller designs each collection in a way that uses as much of a given material as possible. This material is made up of fabric waste sourced from garment factories and remnant markets before it ends up in landfill. Fabric too small to use is laboriously cut up into strips of fabric and individually sewn back into yarn. The yarn is then knitted into new pieces, but it doesn’t stop there. The remaining two percent of tiny offcuts of material are mixed in with recycled office paper and sticky rice to make the clothing hang tags.

“We use every scrap in different ways,” Faller says. Belt buckles, pendants and buttons come from re-claimed scraps of wood and beads come from hand dug clay. “It’s hand-made 100 percent, it’s handwoven, it’s naturally dyed and it looks beautiful,” she says with pride.

Also, utilising waste from a very unusual source, Madeline Green from Ammo jewellery uses bullets as a base to create hand-fired rings, earrings, pendants and bracelets. She sources the used ammunition as scrap metal, which is re-fashioned into jewellery designed by her team or by customers who take her

workshops. “We like to use the casings in a number of ways, but the signature style for Ammo is to cut the circular cap off the end of the casing, and then use that as a central motif for our collections,” Green explains.

“But we use all the rest of the bullet too by melting it down and then casting it into more complex designs with delicate patterns and forms.”

In this way, Green is able to upcycle a product, which symbolises something negative, into something that can be worn with pride.

Upcycling in Cambodia is not always a serious pursuit, which is something Christine Gauthier, owner and designer of Water Lily, believes. Using zippers, drinking straws, bright buttons, electrical wire, discarded toys, whatever captures her eye, Gauthier creates fantastical necklaces, bracelets, bags and clothes.

“Why not play with it?” she asks. “I feel like an alchemist, putting things together to see the result.” From a handbag made entirely out of drinking straws, to Monet’s ‘Water Lillies’ made from coloured plastic teaspoons on canvas, Water Lily shows how upcycling can be about ingenuity and fun as well as being ethically responsible.

Gauthier runs workshops on recycling, buys used materials and uses garment factory scraps in her designs.

Slowly, but surely these innovative thinkers are challenging the idea that new is better, and that quick, low quality, massproduction is a positive thing for Cambodia.

Upcycling may be a niche market for expats rather than locals at the moment, but things are starting to change.

“I have two local women who bought my necklaces,” Gauthier says. “One just to please me, I think, but the other, well, who knows?”

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Turning her passion for all things furry into a pioneering project aimed at tackling Cambodia’s stray animals, Yulia Khouri is gearing up to launch a series of schemes to rid the country of rabies, clear the streets of strays and boost offerings for the country’s pets.

Words by Marissa Carruthers; photography by Lucas Veuve.

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T

he excited scrabble of dogs can be heard outside, cats lounge on the sofas and the squawk of birds cry out in the background. This isn’t a zoo, it’s Animal Mama’s headquarters and owner Yulia Khouri’s home.

Here four parrots, five dogs saved from the slaughterhouse, a further four pups and more than 20 cats – and counting – have been given a new lease of life after being rescued from the clutches of cruelty, or offered shelter off the streets.

Harbouring a lifelong passion for animals, Khouri was shocked by the swathe of stray animals that dominate Cambodia’s streets when she relocated to the country almost seven years ago. Having helped a steady string of strays, vaccinating, desexing and rehoming hundreds of animals, the vet bills started spiralling out of control.

“We were running out of money and couldn’t afford to do any more rescues so we decided to invest,” says Khouri, who in March launched animal welfare centre, Animal Mama, with the aim of rehoming, educating, eradicating disease and raising standards in veterinary services throughout the Kingdom.

Starting life as a day care and boarding centre, with profits being ploughed back into the rescue, adoption and care arm of operations, Animal Mama quickly evolved as Khouri realised the complexity of the country’s, and pet owners’, needs.

“The money we were spending on vets was ridiculous,” she says. “So we decided to build a vet clinic instead, and it has carried on from there.”

Animal Care

Slated to open next month, the state-ofthe-art clinic, which is partly sponsored and being built by Advance Cambodia, includes an array of facilities, . The sparkling clinic, set in a renovated villa, contains X-ray and ultrasound machines, an oxygen chamber, a lab to carry out skin tests, grafts and blood tests, quarantine centre, pre-screening room to prevent the spread

of infection, two consultation rooms and an operating and post-op room.

“The clinic will make a big difference because this is where the education begins,” says Khouri, adding it will operate on a 24/7 emergency basis. Staff will also dedicate one day a week to carry out free work in the community, such as a mobile clinic for vaccinations and collecting street animals to desex and vaccinate them.

In a bid to raise standards across the country, Animal Mama will work with the Ministry of Agriculture to offer veterinary school graduates six- to 12-month residencies at the clinic. An exchange programme with students from Norway is also being mooted.

“This will lead to a lot of sharing ideas,” Khouri says. “This is very important to continue to grow capacity and knowledge as medical personnel.”

War on Rabies

Tackling public health issues related to stray animals is also top of Animal Mama's agenda - particularly rabies, which is often transmitted through saliva from infected dog bites.

With the deadly virus killing more Cambodians annually than malaria and dengue fever – an estimated 800 rabiesrelated deaths a year, according to figures from the Pasteur Institute – Animal Mama is in talks with the National Institute of Public Health to launch a nationwide Rabies Vaccination Pilot Project to vaccinate at risk humans and animals. The ultimate aim is to eradicate rabies from the Kingdom.

“Rabies is a huge problem, and is preventable,” says Khouri. The scheme will see at risk areas selected, with prescreening and awareness carried out within communities. A total of 70 percent of strays in that area will be vaccinated and microchipped, with details entered into a central database.

An international microchip code for Cambodia has already been secured, and Animal Mama is working with the Ministry

of Health, pharmacies and pharmaceutical distributers to launch a scheme to ensure post-bite rabies shots are readily available across the country.

“Cambodia is one of the number one countries for rabies deaths diagnosed post-mortem. This is scary because when we look at Sihanoukville, where there are a lot of rabies deaths, there are no post-bite rabies shots.”

Retirement Centre

Animal Mama’s third ambitious arm is to create a retirement centre for ex-working dogs. The seed was planted after Khouri was contacted about retired demining dog Muriel, who needed rehoming. With landmine detection dogs working across Cambodia to clear the country of the many remaining explosives, the options when they retire are slim.

“They are specialised dogs,” says Khouri. “They have been trained since sixmonths-old and become attached to their handlers because of the amount of trust involved. When they retire they either have to be put down if they are highly strung or rehomed, but that isn’t easy.”

A fundraising drive to create the country’s first retirement home for working dogs is underway, with experts who work with canine units in Israel expected to share their expertise once the kennels are complete. The centre will also work as a tool to educate the public on the vital work the dogs do. To help fund the project, Khouri plans on creating a puppy-training centre. “All of these projects need to be self-sustainable because we don’t want to keep on begging,” she says.

Throw into the mix the educational work Animal Mama is doing with pet shops across the country and dog slaughterhouses, and there are high hopes that care for pets and strays will step up a notch in the future.

For more information, follow Animal Mama on Facebook or visit animal-mama. com.

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Brain supplements are taking the world by storm. Are they miracle pills, or something else? Photo by Vinh Dao.

O

n the market today, there are medicines, pills and extracts, that claim to make the brain more powerful; supplements that can increase the brain’s memory, ability to solve complex problems and cause an increase in energy and productivity. Or at least that’s the idea.

Nootropics – dubbed “smart drugs” – are causing a stir across the globe, and it seems a lot of time is being spent figuring out the best “stack”, or combination and dosage, to get that extra boost to start firing on all cylinders, more consistently.

Through online communities, these new wonder substances are being touted as a revolutionary way to gain an edge, and overclock the brain and other body processes to get the most out of life.

These supplements have promising benefits. There’s even research to back up many of the health claims, and cause to reason for specialised usage. There are a few select nootropics that are leading the pack as far their efficacy: Modafinil, being one of the most highly touted.

Recreational use of nootropics is a hotlydebated topic amongst doctors and medical researchers, and many show an interest in the possibility of negative side effects, as well as the potential long-term adverse effects. It’s not as simple as just popping a few brain pills to secure higher scores in exams, boost energy for that game of footy, or to get a head start on work.

So, what exactly are nootropics?

Nootropics are supplements, drugs, or functional foods that are said to boost cognitive functions, such as intelligence, memory and focus.

The drugs have seen a huge influx of interest during the last few years as people search for ways to maximize their brain’s potential. The word itself, coined

by Romanian psychologist and chemist Dr Corneliu E. Giurgea who synthesized the first nootropic, piracetam, more than 50 years ago, is a combination of the Greek

words nous (mind) and trepein (to bend or turn). The two most popular nootropics are compounds many have ingested on more than one occasion: caffeine and L-theanine.

Both are found in coffee and green tea, but in small amounts when compared to the nootropic doses available.

The nootropic context for caffeine is that it can improve motivation and focus by increasing catecholamine signaling.

Its effects can be dampened over time, however, as tolerance builds.

Scientific research on L-theanine, a common amino acid, suggests it promotes neuronal health and can decrease the incidence of cold and flu symptoms by strengthening the immune system.

Biological Psychology, a scientific journal, published a study that found L-theanine reduces psychological and physiological stress responses. More often than not caffeine is paired with L-theanine for this very reason. A 2014 systematic review of 11 different studies, published in journal Nutrition Review, found caffeine combined with L-theanine promotes alertness, task switching and attention.

A 100mg dose of caffeine (a cup of strong coffee) with 200mg of L-theanine is the general advised dose found while sleuthing for information on the internet. The funny thing about this is, most people in Cambodia start their day off with both these things every morning.

L-theanine is an amino acid found almost exclusively in teas, and caffeine is found in both teas and coffee. Has everybody been taking “nootropics” for all these years, or have they just been drinking coffee and tea? Is there good reason for all of the re-definition? Couldn’t we just take B-vitamins, our daily caffeine routine, and call it what it is?

This combination has the most supporting evidence to back up the “smart drug” argument’s claims. Which isn’t saying much, but it is something.

Racetams, specifically Piracetam – an

ingredient popular in over-the-counter nootropics – are synthetic stimulants designed to improve brain function.

Piracetam is the origin of all the other racetams being used for brain stimulation, and the term “nootropic” was originally coined to describe its effects.

However, despite its popularity, researchers still have no idea what the mechanisms of action are for racetams.

Apparently, piracetam enhances neuronal function by increasing membrane fluidity in the brain, but that hasn’t been confirmed by the scientific method.

There is a lot of information floating around that these substances do, in fact, have an effect on cognitive functions. The issue is that nobody has been able to figure out how the improvements are made.

For all we know, it could be a mechanism completely reliant on the placebo effect.

The best guideline to follow to insure your own safety when taking them, and that you aren’t putting anything dangerous into your body are: nootropics must help protect the brain and keep it safe from both physical and chemical injuries. A nootropic must enhance the cognitive abilities of the brain and prevent these abilities from being disrupted by certain health conditions.

Nootropics must help enhance the brain’s memory, concentration, and ability to efficiently learn. They must not be toxic, and must have very few potential side effects, if any. Lastly, a nootropic must also enhance both the cortical and subcortical control mechanisms that are within the brain.

In a certain sense, it’s a bit like the Wild West out in the brain and body supplementation world. In an age where we can have any powder or pill shipped to our doors, it’s a great time to read up and study the minutiae of the various health fads that are cycling in and out of our newsfeeds. Be smart, and do your homework.

Always check with your doctor before sampling substances that can potentially affect your health.

AsiaLIFE Cambodia 39

Writer Tegan Chapman embarks on an ecoadventure into the heart of the Mongolian countryside.

F

or thousands of years, Mongolian nomads have roamed the vast steppe, living off the land and enjoying a way of life that has barely changed since the days of Genghis Khan.

At the heart of this lifestyle is the traditional ger – circular canvas and felt tents – that are synonymous with the country and are as much a part of its national identity as the annual Naadam festival.

Even in the 21st century, a huge share of the country's population live in ger, and it's in the endless grasslands of the countryside that you get a real taste of the simplicity and beauty of a nomadic way of life.

To sample this lifestyle, and be truly at one with nature, immersed in the stripped back way of life the nomads enjoy, you can stay in a ger camp in the forested hills of one of the country's many parks.

I opted for Gorkhi Terelj National Park, just a short journey from the capital Ulaanbaatar for one of the most rewarding eco-travel experiences of my life.

As you leave the capital, poorly paved 40 AsiaLIFE Cambodia

roads and Soviet-style blocks of flats give way to rolling hills threaded with lakes and endless grasslands dotted with ger. It’s clear to see how this is the least densely populated country in the world when lost in the stunning surroundings.

Meaning “home” in Mongolian, ger are essential to nomads due to the ease with which they can be dismantled, moved and re-erected. On a regular basis, families need to be able to quickly move their home as they set off on their travels to search for fresh and abundant pastures for their livestock to graze on.

It is the continuation of these ancient traditions, attuned to natural cycles, that is fascinating for outsiders.

The fact that many Mongolians still live the way as generations of ancestors did is at the same time humbling and inconceivable – try to imagine how it would be drop into this pattern of life, and leave the concept of a fixed abode of bricks and mortar behind.

Inside the ger you can expect to find the beds of the entire family, a brightly coloured

and slightly worn carpet where the family and their extended community spend the evenings, and, at the heart, a multi-purpose stove to cook traditional dishes and stave off the low night temperatures afforded by the openness of the steppe.

A night or two's stay in a ger offers an experience like no other. Living with a nomadic family, you can witness first-hand their simple way of life, learning to prepare meals with them, watching – or even helping – to herd livestock or viewing the annual Naadam festival.

A visit to the nation would not be complete without sampling the local tipple of airag, a sour alcoholic drink made from fermented mares' milk that is arguably an acquired taste.

It is safe to say diehard vegetarians will struggle in Mongolia, a country where vegetables are far from plentiful and meat is king. This struggle is all the more real in the countryside, where families will likely cook a special delicacy called boodog. This is where hot stones are filled into the stomach

of the dead animal, usually a goat, which is cooked in its own skin.

Offering rolling meadows and imposing rock formations, including the famous Turtle Rock, Terelj is the perfect place to take in Mongolia's natural beauty, ride a horse bareback and enjoy the nomadic way of life.

As times change and technology evolves, solar panels are now springing up on ger to allow more nomads to continue their lifestyle, but with a little added comfort and a smattering of technological tools to make communication with their community and the wider world slightly simpler.

You can now even find ger to rent on Airbnb without necessarily having to hire a tour guide or venturing out onto the steppe on your own.

And if you want to enjoy a ger camp slightly further away from the capital, you can sample the wild natural beauty this country has in abundance in the vast expanse of the Gobi desert while still enjoying the basic comforts of a traditional ger for the ultimate eco-travel experience.

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HEALTH & WELLNESS

Mindfulness is a buzzword being bandied across the globe. With a wealth of options available in Cambodia, editor Marissa Carruthers looks at some of the ways to reach the ultimate state of mind.

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I

n a world of technology, social media, phones and devices pinging throughout the day and night, and the expectation of being on 24/7 call, stress is an all too common ailment.

The hustle and bustle of modern life can make finding a sanctuary away from it all increasingly difficult.

In a bid to escape, mindfulness has become the 21st century trend. The dictionary defines it as being a “mental state achieved by focusing on the awareness of the present moment while calmly acknowledging and accepting one’s feeling, thoughts and bodily sensations, used as a therapeutic technique”. So no daydreaming about the future, getting caught up in the frets of the past or worrying about what may be. Live purely in the now.

Thankfully, living in Cambodia, there is a wealth of options to get away from it all, seek solace, calm the mind, relax the body and detox the soul. From mindfulness courses to meditation retreats and yoga, there’s something to suit everyone seeking spiritual satisfaction and searching to create the perfect life balance.

Vagabond Temple

Offering ongoing yoga and meditation retreats, Vagabond Temple in Sihanoukville is a retreat where guests can choose how long they stay for, as long as it’s more than five nights.

Regardless of whether it’s five nights or two months, experts work with guests to create spiritual yoga retreats based on the needs of each individual. Each day has a full programme of yoga classes, group meditations and dharma talks, with the option to tailor stays by adding a detox programme, Reiki course or healing sessions. Accommodation is also included, along with three vegan meals a day. Several 10-day yoga and meditation retreat courses will run this year. It aims to increase mindfulness and awareness and bring about real change

in guests’ daily existence, using applied philosophy, life coaching techniques and various spiritual methods. The Community Member Programme is another option, offering two months of living and learning in a spiritual community. Devoted attendees engage in a deep self-exploration while gaining in-depth knowledge of yogic traditions and practices, and learning how to integrate spirituality into daily life. vagabondtemple.com

Navutu Dreams Resort and Wellness Retreat

Being home to Angkor Wat, Siem Reap is often associated with spirituality, and intimate yoga and meditation sessions take place around the temples and surrounding jungle. It’s therefore little wonder that it is home to a range of retreats. Well-established on the Southeast Asian retreat circuit, Natuvu Dreams in Siem Reap offers a range of classes and wellness programmes to help reach the perfect balance for the mind. Taking in yoga, detoxes, forms of traditional Chinese medicine and holistic treatments, hitting the heights of zen is made easy. Treatments include a sound bath, which uses vibrational sound, specifically crystal and Tibetan bowls, to reduce stress, uplift consciousness and create a deep sense of peace, and chakra balancing. A three-day detox for the mind takes in massages, yoga, meditation, healing sessions and Reiki. There is also a five-day burnout programme and three-day yoga mini-break available. Forest bathing sessions take guests for meditation walks throughout rural Siem Reap, sunset mediation classes are held at the majestic Wat Svay Romeat Pagoda, and one- and three-day detoxes are held. navutudreams.com

Hariharalaya Retreat Centre

The tranquil rural setting of Hariharalaya, in the heart of the countryside

surrounding Siem Reap town, instantly instills a sense of calm. Here, six-day integral yoga and conscious living courses steer guests towards a more mindful way of living. Taking in yoga, meditation, Dharma talks, communication classes, community activities and free time to appreciate the stunning setting, kick back in the reading room or get creative in the art studio, it’s hard to do much but chill. Teaching the importance of mindfulness, awareness is encouraged throughout the day, with a holistic approach taken to sooth the mind, body and soul. And there’s no fear of being interrupted by a quick peek on Facebook because no mobiles are allowed and a digital detox is observed, as well as silent mornings throughout the course. hariharalaya.com

Dr Derek Mitchell

UK-trained clinical psychologist, Dr Derek Mitchell, runs a series of mindfulness courses in Phnom Penh, which cater to both individuals and groups of between five and 10 people.

Running across six weeks, each class last two hours, with an optional practice four hours in the penultimate week.

With the majority of classes taking in meditation, sessions start with students practicing techniques taught the previous week before reflecting on the practice and previous tasks with a partner if in a group, or Mitchell in a private session. New techniques are learned, with homework set and questions asked. “You will learn a new approach and new skills for dealing with stress and enjoying your life more,” Mitchell says, adding most participants are keen to learn new ways of coping with work and life stress. Others sign up with the aim of boosting personal development, viewing mindfulness as a tool to help achieve this goal. thelotuscentre.org.

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INDY HOUSE 62 Street 135, Phnom Penh. Tel: 099 555 722. Open daily, from 12pm to 8pm.

Indy House is proving you don’t need a huge budget to make a splash on the capital’s swelling eating scene.

Words by Marissa Carruthers; photography by Enric Català.

As restaurants fling open their doors ten to the dozen in the capital, finding a way to keep them from closing is becoming increasingly tough, and thinking outside the box an essential to survival.

So when Thai husband and wife Watcharin Suwannathup and Pattarasiri Viriyasiri, or Pui and Ohh, decided to look for something new, they put their creative caps on. Teaming up with Chay Vichey, known as Selek, they decided to put a new spin on the street barbecues commonly found in their homeland.

With minimal budget, Pui and his pool of friends called on their artistic talents to add a heavy dose of the trio’s funky, energetic personalities, and elevate their eatery from street standard to 44 AsiaLIFE Cambodia

edgy hang-out spot, specialising in Thai-inspired grilled meats.

The result is a casual diner with heaps of street style. An urban mural depicting the trio covers one wall and antique paraphernalia sourced from Bangkok decorates the walls.

The bar, benches and tables are Pui’s creation, built from recycled wood. As are the lights, wooden decking and shelving.

By sticking to simple dishes, with all meals rustled up in the clean, open kitchen – a metal grill, hobs and small work surface that faces the street – costs are kept really low, with hearty meals starting from $3.

“We wanted somewhere relaxed, where people can come and chill,” says Selek, who quit his job in events to work on Indy House. Pui and Ohh were

both photographers working in events and advertising.

If you don’t eat meat, go elsewhere because, for now, there’s the choice between chicken, pork, beef, with sides of French fries ($2), cheese balls ($2.50), salmon cheese ($2.50) and garlic fried rice ($1).

The meat options range from spicy chicken steak ($3) and pork steak with spicy Thai sauce ($4), to T-bone ($7.50) and sirloin ($6) steaks. All are served with French fries, salad, rice, and servings of gravy and spicy Thai sauce, nam jim jew.

As soon as we placed our order, Pui jumped behind the grill, slapping the meat, which was slathered in the Thai sauce, onto the sizzling metal.

Within minutes the aroma of barbecue wafted through

the air, before steaming hot plates landed at our table.

The spicy chicken steaks see thigh and breast meat infused with the kick of the nam jim jew, made from dried chilli, fish sauce, and fresh lime juice.

The thin T-bone steak was cooked to perfection, remaining tender and easy to cut, and perfectly washed down with an iced tea. Again, the sauce adds a welcome punch. While the pork steak ($4) also comes with the option of nam jim jew, we asked for it without.

Instead, we poured lashings of the thick, meaty gravy on top, adding a nice amount of moisture to the meat.

With plans to add to the menu, as well as the bar, Indy House is a great addition to the capital’s expanding eateries.

KATANASHI JAPANESE TAPAS BAR Corner of Street 51 and 288, Phnom Penh. Tel: 023 987 701. Open Tuesday to Sunday, from 6pm to 11pm.

Katanashi Japansee Tapas Bar serves up some truly original Japanese tapas that fuse flavours from Asia, Europe and Latin America. Words by Erin Hale; photography by Lucas Veuve.

Street 51’s Katanashi Japanese Tapas Bar is not your ordinary Japanese joint. It serves up a combination of classic Japanese culinary principles and Italian, Mexican, Chinese, Spanish and other international dishes to create a varied menu of some truly unique tastes.

Manager Hidetaka Yokoyama says this kind of cuisine is already popular in Japan, but many people outside the country are unfamiliar with Japan’s creative culinary side. “Everyone knows Japanese cuisine is delicious, but a lot of Japanese restaurants just have sushi and yakitori, common traditional food. But Japan has more fusion style restaurants, so I want to show [this] cuisine not only the traditional one,” says Yokoyama.

Open since November,

Katanashi brings previous experience from Singapore and Japan, where other branches of the restaurant have perfected the menu. While not exactly a chain, these prior establishments mean Katanashi can serve a complete menu without the quirks of a soft opening.

The menu, presented on a large board, can feel a bit intimidating at first but the reasonable price of most of the tapas means it’s easy to tuck into several options.

A great place to start is the Japanese ahijo, Katanashi’s take on the classic Spanish gambas al ajillo (garlic prawns) served with small slices of bread.

The prawn and tomato ahijo ($3.90) strongly resembles its Spanish cousin although it’s served with a Japanese shiokara brown sauce made

from anchovies to give give it a strongly unique flavour.

The Katanashi beef steak ($3.90/100g) is also noteworthy and one of the most traditional things on the menu. The steak is served in small chopstickfriendly slices on a clay grill and comes with three homemade dipping sauces: teriyaki, wasabi butter and lemon butter. It comes medium rare and is fairly chewy but that is offset by the overall juiciness of the meat. Fish-lovers should try the saba tartar ($2.90).

It’s simple compared to some of Katanashi’s other tapas – but it retains a seafood taste as it's made from fried mackerel.

Katanashi’s paper-thin pizzas are an interesting fusion between Japanese and Italian cooking that works surprisingly well. The MMM pizza ($3.90)

combines a tomato sauce base with a mozzarella topping plus seasoned cod roe and mochi (glutinous rice cake). While fish eggs on a pizza might sound odd, the flavour bakes into a nice salty topping, although some of the dollops of roe might be too large for some. The mochi, while not as flavoursome as the roe, adds a crunchy texture to give the pizza some edge.

Besides snacking on tapas, try the signature cocktails ($3.50).

The sake sparkling cocktail is bubbly and sweet enough without being overbearing. The maccha mojito is a nice blend of the classic mojito with green tea, while the yuzu sunrise is a Japanese take on a tequila sunrise, replacing the tequila with sake.

So whether it’s drinks or food, Katanashi caters to all.

AsiaLIFE Cambodia 45

IRRAWADDI MYANMAR GALLERY RESTAURANT

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

Serving up traditional Burmese cuisine at affordable prices, Irrawaddi has been catering to the capital since way before the BKK1 boom. Words by Erin Hale; photography by Eric Català.

For the past decade, Irrawaddi Myanmar Gallery Restaurant, commonly known as Irrawaddi, has been Phnom Penh’s favourite Burmese eatery. While BKK1 has grown up around Irrawaddi, which was once the lone restaurant on its stretch of Street 334, the restaurant has kept the aura of an older Phnom Penh.

Its decor retains all the classic charm of a Southeast Asian establishment: high sloping roof, slow turning ceiling fans, large open windows and simple black and white decor. The prices and menu has also been kept intact: a family-style four course dinner with two drinks can go for under $15, which is a difficult feat these days.

The affordability of Irrawaddi, however, is an important feature for owner Cho Cho Myaing, 46 AsiaLIFE Cambodia

who wants to keep prices low enough to cater to the Burmese community. “Since the beginning the price [has been the same], that’s why I don’t want to change it,” she says.

Named after the longest river in Myanmar, Irrawaddi offers an impressive range of national dishes with influences from China and India, and Thailand more recently.

The best place to start is the iconic fermented/pickled tealeaf salad ($2). The tea leaves taste slightly sour with the consistency of steamed spinach and are nicely complemented by crunchy seeds and nuts, with a squeeze of lime juice and vegetables thrown in.

“If you go to Burma, everywhere you go people will serve you this,” Myaing

says. She imports pickled tea leafs and crunchy extras from Myanmar, although most other ingredients are locally sourced.

Another Myanmar specialty is the hilsa fish stew ($4). This herring-like fish is popular in Northeast Indian and Bangladeshi cuisine, and is imported as it can only be found in the Bay of Bengal.

Myaing has toned down some of the salt and spice, but Irrawaddi’s spicy shrimp ($3.50) is not for the faint hearted. The grilled prawns have a surprising kick to them, which if too intense can be toned down with coconut rice ($2), a slightly richer take on steamed rice.

An avocado shake, blended with sweet milk ($2) or yoghurt and fruit ($2) can also go a long way in cutting down excess

spice. Angkor beer is on the menu ($1) although Myaing encourages patrons to bring their own wine or beer and does not charge a corkage fee.

With salads and vegetable dishes for $2 to $2.50, vegetarians and vegans are well catered for. The baked eggplant salad with spring onions ($2.50) comes highly recommended, with a smoky aftertaste reminiscent of Middle Eastern baba ghanoush, although the consistency is slightly different.

Meat-lovers will find some specialty items less common elsewhere in Southeast Asia, such as beef and mutton served curry-style with either potatoes ($4) or split peas ($4).

So for a hearty meal that won’t hurt the bank balance, Irrawaddi is the place to go.

8

CITY DRINKS

Le Boutier 32 Street 308, Phnom Penh. Tel: 097 675 3004.

Open Monday to Saturday, from 6pm to midnight.

Celebrating its first anniversary on Feb. 1, Le Boutier has brought a taste of 1960s Phnom Penh back to the capital with its mixed drinks and retro vibes. Words by Erin Hale; photography by Lucas Veuve.

It’s hard to believe that Le Boutier has only been open for one year.

Since opening last February, the cocktail bar has become a firm fixture on the ever-growing Street 308, best known for its high quality drinks, modern interior and well-curated music.

The bar was envisioned by co-owners American Annemarie Sagoi and French-Cambodian David Chhay as homage to the Kingdom’s Golden Age of the 1960s, when Phnom Penh was the “pearl” of post-independence Southeast Asia.

The bar’s name honours Chhay’s grandfather Boutier, while drinks are named after famous singers and musicians from that era – whose infectious sounds combining traditional Khmer music and psychedelic riffs can often be heard in the background of Le Boutier.

While familiar to many Phnom Penh-residents, Sagoi hopes Le Boutier can educate newcomers about the Kingdom’s rich popculture past.

“It’s celebrating that era because even expats – or immigrants as I like to call them – that live in Cambodia who are from Western countries don’t know about some of these great musicians,” she says.

Le Boutier offers a number of specialty cocktails ($6) as well as old favourites, such as vodka and soda ($3) or beers ($2). The most popular drink is La Vie en Rose Sereysothea, which pays testament to one of Cambodia’s most famous female singers.

“It’s very approachable

citrusy drink. It’s got pineapple infused vodka, grapefruit, a jasmine tincture, lime, and a little Campariis is added for bitterness,” says Sagoi.

One of Le Boutier’s missions is to introduce new concepts to Phnom Penh bartending. Sagoi and staff make their own tinctures and syrups in flavours, including curry rice and Kampot pepper, to capture some of the unique flavours of Cambodia. Another challenging mission has been to move the city’s drinkers away from the idea that cocktails must inherently be saccharine sweet or “fishbowl” sized.

“I’m slowly trying to introduce more bitter flavours because that’s still quite foreign to a lot of Cambodians, and even expats or tourists, who are used to having blue or green drinks and buckets,” she says.

Bartenders from around the world also regularly stop in for a month to bring their touch to Le Boutier’s menu.

“It’s always nice to get different points of view because every bartender like any musician or artist has their own point of view and their own flavours, and they always have something unique to offer,” says Sagoi.

The three-storey has something for everyone. The first floor is white, sleek, and a little Art Deco, with a large bar and high tables.

The second floor has a subtle recording studio vibe, with low couches and intimate lighting, while the top floor offers an open terrace with a great view of Street 308 bubbling below.

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TheSmallestDetails

TROVE Words by Erin Hale.

Photography by Enric Català.

48 AsiaLIFE Cambodia

A

passion for travel and collecting unique and quirky trinkets from across the globe provided George and Ellie Norbert-Munns with the inspiration to launch Trove – an intimate store that literally acts as a treasure trove.

Packed full of quirky items to brighten up the home, Trove boasts a range of one-offs sourced during trips across Cambodia, and to Vietnam, Thailand, Myanmar and the UK, including a set of small brass vintage mugs ($30) and handmade replica sailboats ($44 to $180).

The unifying style in the wide selection of items is “classic and contemporary”, says Ellie Norbert Munns, who hails from the UK. As a long-term resident she often found it hard to buy items for her apartment that suited her personal style, and with Trove she and her husband hope to fill a much-needed gap.

“Over the years, [we] found it quite difficult at times to source gifts and homewares in Phnom Penh that fitted in line with our classic yet contemporary style and so felt our shop would offer something new for Cambodia’s burgeoning interiors and homeware market.”, she adds.

There’s something for everyone and every room of the house from pineapple-shaped indigo bookends ($20 each) to handmade wooden stools ($50 each) and decorative cushions ($18 to $35).

While the selection of homewares is always changing, Trove works closely with local designers and artisans to showcase their latest works. “We have been really lucky and are working with some fabulously talented designers, artisans and producers, such as photographer Todd Brown and the folks at Claycult

Cambodia, who make beautiful handcrafted ceramic jewellery in Siem Reap,” says Ellie.

Brown’s large-sized prints ($315 to $365 or $275 unframed) include a shot of now-retired Sambo the elephant walking in the midst of traffic on riverside.

Besides homewares, Trove is a great place to find creative jewellery and fashion. The shop carries a range of items from Amanda Bloom and a selection of items from her vintage and upcycle line at The History of Things to Come. Fun accessories include bracelets made from Vietnamese water buffalo horn ($32 for a set of seven).

Customers will also find familiar brands like TEMPER, a fair-trade brand working with local artisans to craft rings ($26) and necklaces ($32) from bullet cases and bombshells. Bougainvillea, a line of handmade Japanese-Cambodian jewellery, is also for sale with rings, bracelets, and necklaces made from gold, silver and platinum ($40 to $140).

Alongside other Street 308 and Bassac Lane shops, such as Paper Dolls, Trove may prove to be the beginning of something new for Bthe area as it branches out from drinking and dining establishments.

“We’re an active part of [the Bassac Lane] community of businesses. We’re happy to play a part in its development and in general are seeing a greater range opening in the area, from boutiques to cafes, so we would love to see it become even more of a community hub for both day and night-time visitors,” says Ellie.

33 Bassac Lane, Phnom Penh. Tel: 092 964 684.

Open Tuesday to Thursday, from 10am to 6pm, and Friday and Saturday, from 2pm to late.

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Photography: Ra Yuth Model: Nicky Hair, makeup and styling: Ryan at The Dollhouse

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Dress: Ambre

Skirt and earrings: Paperdolls Top: Skelley

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Hat: Paperdolls Lace top: Skelley Pants and jacket: Ambre

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Dress: Ambre

AsiaLIFE Cambodia 53

LISTINGS

inspiring arts

Qatar Airways 296 Mao Tse Toung Blvd.

Ground floor, Intercontinental Hotel Phnom Penh.

hotel & travel Airlines Air Asia Domestic Terminal Arrival Office A17 Phnom Penh International Airport Tel: 023 890 035

An artists’ story: Eng Daneth This month, we tell the story of Eng Daneth, a visual artist and former Fellow of CLA under our Artist Residency programme.

Daneth is a visual artist and design graduate. She works as a jewellery designer for Saut Meas shop, and as a computer instructor at the school run by Empowering Youth Cambodia inside the White Building.

She became a Fellow of CLA in 2015, securing a residency at the Vermont Studio Centre in the USA, while she was a student of non-profit arts organisation Sa Sa Art Projects.

Daneth works primarily in sculpture, film and installation, dealing with themes of the present and future. At the moment, she is researching the development of Cambodia, and questioning whether current development projects actually deliver transparency and equality to the people they are supposed to serve.

She believes that her work sends a crucial message about what is happening in society, particularly with regard to urban development. She hopes those who see her work will be inspired to look deeper, question what they have been told, and find out more about contemporary issues in Cambodia.

Daneth told us that

Asiana Airlines Room A16 Phnom Penh International Airport Tel: 023 890 441

research can be a challenge.

“Every time I went to the community to collect some information, it seemed to me that they did not understand what I was doing,” she says.

“Sometimes they did not talk much because they did not know where I was from.”

Fortunately, she has had the opportunity to speak with more experienced artists about how to get people involved during her weekend drawing class at Sa Sa Art Projects. Daneth hopes in the near future she can share what she has learned with the next generation of artists.

Her ideas and her passions were shaped by her residency in the USA, where she saw many young artists expressing themselves and their thinking through their work.

She hopes more young people will start to do this, and engage more with social issues through arts and creativity.

She adds: “They should start to read more, listen to the news, follow up with social issues, and apply their critical thinking to a problem.”

She hopes her work will inspire people to come together to solve the social problems she is passionate about.

You can see Daneth’s work at facebook.com/ sasaartprojects/photos.

Find out more about Sa Sa Art Projects at sasaart.info.

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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Phnom Penh Tel: 023 866 404

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 Eva Air Suite 11-14B Street 205 Phnom Penh Tel: 023 219 911 Jet Star Asia 333B Monivong Blvd Phnom Penh Tel: 023 220 909 Korean Air 254 R03 Monivong Blvd.

Phnom Penh Tel: 023 224 047 023 224 049 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)

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: 012 274 820 012 235 102 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 central location, diverse international clientele of business men, entrepreneurs, adventures with affordable luxury. Mito Hotel is the preferred choice for business and leisure travellers.

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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.

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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 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 www.thequayhotel.com

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

Tel: 011 562 629 023 219 136 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 Many of the rooms feature large windows allowing guests to easily take in the beautiful city view from your room on the 22nd floor of PPT. Room available from $25.

TEAV Boutique Hotel 14 Street 310 Tel: 023 981 818 / 017 989 191 Email: stay@teavgroup.com www.teavboutiquehotel.com Located in a quiet, peaceful setting in the prestigious central heart of Phnom Penh near the Independence Monument, the uniquely designed art deco style TEAV Boutique Hotel provides single travellers, couples, families, leisure and business with a relaxing and highly personalised stay.

Villa Borann 235A Street 19 Tel: 023 211 518 www.villa-borann-boutique-hotel.com Business boutique hotel in the historical centre of Phnom Penh with 14 rooms, swimming pool, bar and restaurant. Nicely furnished rooms.

Colonial style.

Villa Samnang 15 Street 302 Tel: 023 221 644 www.villa-samnang.com Boutique hotel with 14 rooms, swimming pool, bar and restaurant.

Villa Srey 16 Street 306 Tel: 023 213 219 www.villasrey.com Charming hotel, six rooms with terrace and swimming pool. Very quiet in the heart of Phnom Penh.

Travel Cambodia Uncovered 11B Street 370 Tel: 012 507 097 www.cambodiauncovered.com Offers village and cultural tours in Phnom Penh and surrounds including road trips, Mekong cruises, accommodation, cooking classes and other activities.

City Tour Hop on Hop off Tel: 016 745 880 Visit 10 popular attractions in Phnom Penh.

Unlimited hop on hop off. English commentary, free Wifi and water. Departs hourly from the Night Market. Shuttle bus to Genocide Museum and Killing Fields: 9am and 11am from the Night Market.

Helicopters Cambodia 10 Street 310 Tel: 012 814 500 www.helicopterscambodia.com Over 12 years’ experience operating in the Kingdom offers scenic flights around the Temples of Angkor and beyond. Is a wholly owned subsidiary of Helicopters New Zealand Group.

Intrepid Travel 468 Sivutha Blvd. Tel: 063 966 655 For travellers with a yearning to get off the beaten track, Intrepid opens up a whole new world of adventure travel. With a huge variety of tours available.

Travel Indochina 43-44EO Street 108 Tel: 023 991 978 www.travelindochina.com.au Australian-owned travel company specialising in small group journeys around Asia that can tailor trips for individuals.

LISTINGS

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

Discover the Mekong Suite 1844, Canadia Tower 18th Floor Monivong Blvd.

Tel: 023 962 468 Email: dmc@discoverthemekong.travel Discover the Mekong offers unique adventures into the heart of Cambodia.

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.

Exotissimo Travel 66 Norodom Blvd.

Tel: 023 218 948 www.exotissimo.com Excellent French-owned agency specialising in adventure tourism, flight bookings, package holidays and a range of tours of Southeast Asia.

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.

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Galleries

Getting Romantic Sarah Brown Whether you look forward to it with a tummy full of butterflies, dread the pressure of ensuring a rom-com worthy display of affection, or dismiss it as another product of consumerism, Valentine’s Day is upon us.

Luckily, if it’s not a holiday you enjoy it’s easy enough to let it breeze by, as it’s not a traditional Cambodian celebration and there are few reminders that it’s even happening in Siem Reap.

Admittedly recent years have seen savvy sellers flogging romance-themed nicknaks and flowers to young Cambodians eager to get in on the action, but generally it’s easily ignored – although the same can’t be said of Phnom Penh where the day is full of heart-shaped balloons, giant teddies and restaurants full of couples. So for those living in Siem Reap, it’s good news if Feb. 14 usually brings you out in a cold sweat.

If, on the other hand, you have (or – let’s face it – your partner has) high expectations for what is allegedly the most romantic day of the year, Temple Town offers a multitude of ways you can celebrate this universal day of love. As with most social occasions here in Siem Reap, there are plenty of excellent opportunities to mark Valentine’s Day with good food.

Flow, located on Street 26, offers an excellent Asian-fusion menu in a chic, intimate setting, and even has a neat little garden tucked

out the back for a pre-dinner cocktail or two. Cuisine Wat Damnak – widely credited as Siem Reap’s best restaurant, and rightly so – would also make an excellent choice, as you can while away the evening over their incredible five- or six-course tasting menus. It’s also worth keeping an eye out to see whether any restaurants or hotels offer Valentine’s specials, as they have in recent years. However, these often aren’t advertised until the last minute.

If you’re looking for a romantic evening while immersing in the beautiful Cambodian scenery, a countryside dining experience at Villa Chandara can hardly be beaten. Watch the sun set over the rice fields as you enjoy a glass of wine on the balcony of a traditional wooden house, before tucking into a candle-lit Khmer dinner to the sounds of traditional music. This experience can be arranged through About Asia, and is sure to impress your other half.

For the more adventurous couples, a sunset boat ride along Angkor Thom moat could be the perfect way to celebrate Valentine’s Day, especially if you pack a hamper and break out the bubbles as you float along.

On the other hand, why not soar above the temples with a romantic hot air balloon ride for two, or even whip through the Archaeological Park with Angkor Zip Lines?

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: 012 654 638 063 766 655 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.

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.

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 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 Helicopters Cambodia

658 Hup Quan Street.

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

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, leading imported health and beauty products, only certified medication. Open 8am-10pm.

Restaurants Armand’s The Bistro 584-586 Tep Vong, Sangkat Svay Dangkom (Next to ANZ Bank) Phum Mondul 1 Tel: 092 305 401 A true bistro experience in a cosy woodpanelled space, despite the informal and relaxed ambience it has the menu to even satisfy high-rollers.

Chanrey Tree Pokombo Ave. Tel: 063 767 997 www.chanreytree.com Traditional Khmer food in a beautiful contemporary setting. Alongside the river, 50m before Preah Phrum Rath Pagoda. Open daily. Lunch 11am-2.30pm, dinner 6pm10.30pm.

Il Forno Restaurant Siem Reap Paris Alley, off Pub Street Tel: 063 763 380 Come and try our wood fire pizza and our traditional homemade pastas. New air con room to cool off with a nice Italian wine and a charcuterie.

Hot Stone Café Old Market area, next to Angkor trade center Tel: 012 926 562 063 966 966 Email: info@hotstonecafe.asia www.hotstonecafé.asia The hottest culinary concept in town, with two dining options, cook yourself BBQ selection and Khmer dining.

King’s Road Angkor 7 Makara Road, Achar Sva Street (opposite Old Market bridge) Tel: 093 811 800 www.kingsroadangkor.com A unique dining and shopping village in Siem Reap, comprising of 15 restaurants and cafés and 12 boutiques.

Lava/Sushi Plus/Rio Tel: 0 85 330 093 063 962 952 Email: fb@riverbayvilla.com www.riverbayvilla.com Experience the flavors of the world under one roof. LAVA: sizzling specialized concept of oriental and creative international cuisine. SUSHI

PLUS: cozy Japanese restaurant paying tribute to the origin of Sushi. RIO: the outdoor lounge filled with lazy loungers cushions.

Maharajah Indian Restaurant Next to Pub Street, Old Market.

Tel: 063 966 221 092 506 622 Authentic Indian vegetarian and non-vegetarian food. Maharajah believes that exclusivity with a touch of simplicity is important in the creation of every dish.

Open daily 11am–10pm.

Palate Angkor Acha Sva Road, Wat Bo Village Tel: 063 965 252 www.palateangkor.com Palate Angkor restaurant and bar, is a recent addition to the Siem Reap culinary scene.

Serving delectable Pan Asian cuisine.

Open daily from 11.30am-11pm.

Shops Artisans Angkor Boutique and Workshops Stung Thmey Street (2min from the Old Market) Tel: 063 963 330 www.artisansdangkor.com Boutique offering collection of handmade souvenirs such as high-quality silk scarves, clothing and accessories, wooden and stone sculptures Free guided tours of the handicraft workshops.

Open daily from 7.30am-6.30pm Jasmine Boutique FCC Angkor, Pokambor Avenue Tel: 063 760 610 Same sophisticated, stylish boutique as on Street 240 in Phnom Penh.

Smateria The Alley West Tel: 063 964 343 www.smateria.com Boutique specialising in accessories made from recycled materials including a range of bags and wallets made from old cartons, plastic bags and mosquito nets.

Spas Sokkhak Spa Sok San Street, Old Market Tel: 063 763 797 A nature-inspired décor with a tranquil atmosphere to relax, refresh and indulge.

Open daily 11am-10pm.

Malis SR Pokambor Avenue, Siem Reap Riverside Tel: 015 824 888 Cambodian celebrity chef Luu Meng has opened a second Malis in Siem Reap. Serving up sumptuous traditional Khmer cuisine with a contemporary flavour, Malis SR offers signature dishes, such as Kampot red crab curry and Royal Mac Mee. Open daily from 6.30am to 10.30pm.

Frangipani Spa 24 Hup Guan Street Tel: 012 982 062 A family-owned establishment offering a variety of massage therapies, facial and body treatments, as well as waxing and nail care at affordable prices. An ideal treatment after a long day at the historical Angkor temples, Frangipani’s signature stone massage ($75 for 90 mins) utilises a combination of hot stones to loosen tight muscles and cold stones to reduce inflammation. Open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 8pm.

Borei Angkor Resort & Spa 369 National Highway Tel: 063 969 300 The spa centre has eight private rooms, a luxurious villa with 17 treatment beds, outdoor bathtub and rain shower, as well as an onsite hair salon. Additional services include traditional Khmer massages, facials, body scrubs, and depilation treatments. Open daily from 9am to midnight.

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

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THE

Cafés

SOUTH AMERICAN ICON WINE

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, 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.

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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.

Phnom Penh

Siem Reap

023 986 350

063 964 409

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Sihanoukville Kep & Kampot 034 934 155

033 930 000

Battambang 053 953 855

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.

Restaurant Le Royal Raffles Hotel Le Royal Tel: 023 981 888 (see also restaurants, French) 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.

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.

French Armand’s The Bistro 33 Street 108 Tel: 015 548 966 A true bistro experience in a cosy woodpanelled space, despite the informal and relaxed ambience it has the menu to even satisfy high-rollers. Open Tuesday to Sunday from 5pm-11.45pm.

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 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.

La Marmite Cnr Streets 108 & 51 Tel: 012 391 746 This small, reasonably priced French bistro has two adjoining rooms (one non-smoking) creating a relaxed, cosy atmosphere. Serves excellent fish, steaks and offal as well as daily specials, for a taste of real home-cooked French cuisine.

Open 11am-2.30pm, 6pm-10.30pm.

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.

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.

The Wine Restaurant 219 Street 19 Tel: 023 223 527 Excellent fine dining restaurant in the same grounds as Open Wine deli. The fresh food and extensive selection of wines make this one of the exclusive places to dine in town. The set lunch is one of the most attractive packages on offer.

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 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.

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.

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.

Ngon 60 Sihanouk Blvd Tel: 023 987 151 www.ngonpnh.com Open air restaurant that features a vast range of Vietnamese food in a garden environment.

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.

Est Bar 19z, Street 214 Tel: 023 998 227 Email: indulge@estbar.com www.estbar.com (See bars) 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.

Fish Sisowath Quay (cnr of Street 108) Tel: 023 222 685 www.fishphnompenh.com Contemporary, modern restaurant specialising in all things oceanic. Menu includes everything from lobster through sushi to gourmet fish and chips for upmarket, but reasonable prices. Open 7am-late.

Fox Wine Bistro 104 Sothearos Blvd & St. 266.

Tel: 098 78 99 61 Casual wine-dining. For passionate food and wine lovers who want an unforgettable dining experience or even just a place to hang-out that’s unlike elsewhere in Phnom Penh. Serving simple yet thoughtful dishes and drinks in a comfortable, hip and trendy atmosphere.

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.

Java Café & Gallery 56 Sihanouk Blvd Tel: 023 987 420 www.javaarts.org (See cafés)

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.

Meat & Drink Street 308 alleyway Bar and grill. A casual setting for drinks and a bite to eat. No reservations. Open Tuesday to Sunday, 5pm-11pm.

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 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 French fries with cheese sauce. Ideal for those who believe that American culture starts with a Mc. 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.

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Riverside Bistro Cnr. Sisowath Quay & Street 148 Tel: 012 277 882 023 213 898 Popular restaurant with expats and tourists alike mainly due to its large outdoor terrace area to view the river. Serves a mixture of Asian and western food with an emphasis on German cuisine. Has rock music videos and a pool table in the music bar at the back. Open from 7am-2am.

kids’ corner

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

The Importance of Family Rituals Anna Glazkova Family rituals are practices that the family follow on a regular basis.

It is a common knowledge that quality family time helps build and maintain strong family ties. In the environment expat families live in – regularly changing residential places and as a result for children, schools and friends – maintaining family rituals is of greater importance.

Your family most likely has rituals in place, so take this as an invitation to extend your existing family traditions to something even more exciting and bonding.

Sharing food. It is a part of many traditions to gather as a family to share meals.

Important events, daily routines, common joys and also issues are discussed while at table.

If your children are grown up enough, start the process together from the very preparation of the meal. While you are cooking together you can, in a subtler way, find out precious information on their current feelings, emotions, expectations and fears.

Ask open-ended questions. Allow your child some time to reflect and reply.

Do not fill in the blanks, let your child uncover his inner world. When children are asked open-ended questions, it shows them their opinions, ideas and thoughts matter.

You want to know what they think. You value their opinion.

Therefore, asking open-ended questions says to a child their contribution matters.

All of this goes to strengthening your child’s positive self-esteem and self-image, as well as strengthening your relationship with your child. Based on the answers provided, you can address any issues discovered during the meal, or continue the conversation one-on-one if needed.

Sports and outdoor activities. Practice of sports and simple outdoor play can create a significantly stronger connection between children and parents. If you naturally tend to team up girls (mother and daughter) V boys (father and son), or other combinations your family tend to follow, you can reverse this tendency in the play.

This might give you a different insight into how members of your family relate to each other, and give a space for new interesting interactions and angles in communication. Furthermore, dynamic and fun play will help you and your family to discard any accumulated tension and other negative emotions.

Story-telling at bedtime.

Story-telling helps to develop creativity and a wider range of vocabulary. Encourage children to use whole sentences when inventing the plot rather than fragments or phrases. Skillfully guide the plot to an issue that your child or your family might temporarily face. This will allow the child to develop problem-solving, use of cognitive skills as well as provide the necessary healing.

Anna Glazkova is a mother of two children aged three and seven. She is interested in child psychology, especially early years development. Founder of The Giving Tree Preschool and Primary, Anna also teaches parental, regular and radiant child yoga programmes.

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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 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) 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.

Italian 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.

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.

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.

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 pasta, wood fired pizza and contemporary Italian cuisine. Great selection of wines from climate controlled cellar. Now also offering brunch on weekends.

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 11.30am2.30pm, 6pm-10pm.

Terrazza 1c Street 282.

Tel: 023 214 660 www.terrazza.asia Experience Italy in Phnom Penh.

Fine Italian restaurant and Deli shop.

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

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).

imbibe

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 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.

A Little Red Rooster Darren Gall Jan. 28 is New Year’s Eve of the Chinese lunar calendar, heralding in the year of the rooster. The rooster is well represented in the world of wine, from the romantic notion of the marriage between chicken and red wine to create legendary French dish, coq au vin, to the more practical application of ‘chook’ poop throughout a vineyard in winter to add vital nutrients to the soil.

Coq au vin involves chicken braised in red wine, traditionally a Pinot Noir from Burgundy. It has been suggested the dish was served by the Gauls to Roman emperor Julius Caesar, and it has been a signature dish at Hanoi’s Metropole Hotel for more than a century.

Perhaps the most famous wine region when it comes to roosters is Chianti in Tuscany.

As early as the 12th century, Tuscan wines from this region were famous. The Gallo Nero, ‘Black Cock’ is the symbol of Chianti and is at the heart of the logo of the ‘Consorzio del Marchio Storico’, the governing body charged with the task of protecting the integrity and quality of Chianti and Chianti Classico.

In 2002, California’s Hahn Estates released a cheap and cheerful wine labelled ‘Rex Goliath’, referring to the name of a 47lb rooster that toured Texas at the turn of the 20th century as the star attraction of a circus. Billed ‘The World’s Largest Rooster’, the label is

a replica of the portrait of Rex that hung above his roost. The wine label has proven to be a giant itself, quickly growing to sell half a million cases per year before attracting the attention of one of the world’s largest wine companies, Constellation Brands, who acquired the brand in 2005.

Sasha Lichine is the son of wine negociant, chateau owner and wine writer Alexis Lichine, sometimes referred to as the Pope of Wine.

Alexis famously wrote a book in 1962 reclassifying the vineyards and Chateau of Bordeaux, rectifying what he saw as the injustices of the original 1855 classification.

Born in Bordeaux, Sasha now operates the negociant houses of Borvin and Vins Sans Frontieres, as well as Chateau d’Esclans in Provence.

Along with oenologist Patrick Leon, Lichine has a range of fun, fruit forward, well priced wines that are labelled Le Coq Rouge (The Red Rooster) a medium bodied red wine made with Grenache and Syrah, La Poule Blanche (The White Hen) a delightful Sauvignon Blanc, and Le Poussin Rose (The pink chick)a rose made from Grenache, Cinsault.

So as we welcome in the year of the rooster, there are plenty of wines to get excited about. Here’s to your health, wealth and happiness for the year ahead, cheers.

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.

Riverside Bistro Cnr. Sisowath Quay & Street 148 Tel: 012 277 882 023 213 898 Popular restaurant with expats and tourists alike mainly due to its large outdoor terrace area to view the river. Serves a mixture of Asian and western food with an emphasis on German cuisine. Has rock music videos and a pool table in the music bar at the back. Open from 7am-2am.

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 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 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) 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.

Italian 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.

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.

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.

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

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26 Sothearos Blvd Tel: 023 999 200 ext: 6612 A taste of Japan in a Zen atmosphere with tatami rooms and sushi bar. Open daily, 11.30am-2.30pm, 6.30pm-10.30pm.

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.

Udon Café Green Bowl 29B Street 288 Tel: 086 426 530 Freshly made Sanuki-style udon noodles offer a real taste of Japan. Noodles and accompanying soups and sauces are prepared from scratch using traditional methods and fresh ingredients.

Open from 11am-2.30pm and 5.30pm-9pm.

Closed every second Wednesday.

Mexican & Tex-Mex Alley Cat Café Off Street 19 (side street behind Royal Art School) Tel: 012 306 845 Small, friendly patio café serving good Mexican food and claiming to have the biggest burgers in town. Weekly specials and live music on Sundays.

Freebird 69 Street 240 Tel: 023 224 712 Aircon American bar with neon lighting, a variety of memorabilia, comfortable seats and rock music. International menu with good lunch offers, an excellent range of bottled sauces, excellent International, Mexican food and burgers. Open 7am-midnight.

Taqueria Corona 14E Street 51 Tel: 089 281 626 012 629 986 Enjoy our Mexican specialties, barbacoa, al pastor, Texas chile, carnitas, pollo and carne asoda in our festive dining room. Open daily from 11.30am-2pm, 6pm-10pm (Sunday evenings only).

Vegetarian The Vegetarian 158 Street 19 Tel: 077 900 210 012 905 766 With a lush garden space in the heart of Phnom Penh, The Vegetarian provides a relaxing dining experience. Whether it be amok, curry or tom yam, the restaurtant creates vegetarian versions of popular Cambodian, Indian and Thai dishes.

Open 10.30am-8.30pm, closed Sundays.

Vego’s 3E0 Street 51 Tel: 012 984 596 Salad bar offering bagels, salads and wraps with a wide array of super fresh toppings. Choose on offer are a vegetarian soup of the day as well as fresh-squeezed juices, yogurt and granola.

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Bars Aristocrat Cigar Bar NagaWorld Hotel and Casino, Hun Sen Park.

Tel: 023 228 822 Club aimed at attracting wealthy expats and Khmers who like a good cigar and glass of wine.

Not as stuffy as you might imagine with cigars from $10. Open daily from noon-midnight.

endorsed

Bar.sito Street 240½ Tel: 077 960 413 Cocktail bar, serving especially designed cocktails, ice-cold beers, red and white wines, champagnes and spirits. Open daily, 5pm-late.

Cadillac Bar and Grill 219 E0 Sisowath Quay.

Tel: 011 713 567 Riverfront air-con bar and restaurant.

Has good American cuisine as well as a riverfront vantage.

Chez Rina Cocktail Lounge 6 Street 98 Round the corner of Brown’s Riverside Tel: 017 259 955 Phnom Penh’s coolest lounge in a beautifully restored 1890s space in the historic old French Quarter around the Post Office. The focus is on cocktails and conversation. Open 5pm-12pm.

Closed Sunday.

The Chinese House 45 Sisowath Quay, Phnom Penh.

Tel: 092 553 330 (See Restaurants international) Elephant Bar Raffles Hotel Le Royal Street 92 Tel: 023 981 888 The wicker chairs and carpet may have gone, but the newly re-styled Elephant Bar still exudes the character of a time gone by – you can imagine Jackie Kennedy drinking here. Its many signature cocktails, including the former First Lady-inspired femme fatale, make this a popular place with expats especially during the two-for-one happy hours (4pm-8pm). Open 2pm-midnight from Monday to Friday. Saturday and Sunday from noon to midnight.

Eluvium Lounge 205a Street 19 Tel: 023 986 221 Nestled on the rooftop of Aura Hostel, this elegant lounge bar pairs great views with specialty cocktails and wine, daily from 5pm to midnight. Live music once a week.

Est Bar 19z, Street 214 Tel: 023 998 227 Email: indulge@estbar.com www.estbar.com Cocktail bar/ supper club offering sophisticated indoor and outdoor drinking and dining (tapas and charcuterie) from 6pm-2am Mon-Sat, ideally located for those who want to take in a premium vodka or excellent light snack before hitting one of the nearby clubs.

FCC 363 Sisowath Quay Tel: 023 724 014 (See Restaurants international) Hangar 44 Bassac Lane, off Street 308 Tel: 077 555 447 Not just a bar but also home to Moto Cambodge’s showroom, this venue is full of vintage and classic motorbikes and accessories.

Open Tuesday to Sunday, 5pm-11pm.

Harry’s Bassac Lane, off Street 308 Tel: 077 555 447 As well as being a rooftop martini bar, the downstairs of this vintage outlet doubles up as an antique shop flogging everything from pocket watches and boots to aviator sunglasses.

Travelling by Train Kate Burbridge Despite further delays to international connections in the Northwest of the Kingdom, Cambodia’s rail network is enjoying a new lease of life with regular journeys to the coast now being enjoyed by Cambodians, expats and tourists alike.

While certainly slower and less air-conditioned than a bus or taxi, the train definitely has its advantages. Regardless of what continent you happen to be in.

Putting aside for one moment the important and worthy environmental reasons for travelling on the tracks and focussing on the personal, rail journeys can transport the passenger through more than just the physical landscapes, cityscapes, or even peoplescapes, and into mindscapes.

In many countries, the train is quite often the first experience of independent travel, a taste of freedom from parental control, short or long distance there’s always the promise of adventure.

With the soundtrack of your choice wired directly into your own ears you are set to start a voyage, not only of visual discovery but into your own imagination as you people the scenes through which you pass, painting a narrative onto them as you are fleetingly acquainted with them.

Far from being boxed-in little journeys to be endured like cattle or worked through thanks to the ubiquitous,

inexorable spread of wifi and 4G, train trips can free the mind, allow it to explore, off the leash.

Instead of looking in, look out, look where you’re going.

All human life is here, clattering through fields, woods, suburbs, city centres, along coastlines, through hills, under or over rivers.

No road rage, no keeping your eyes on the traffic and missing the scenery, no getting lost, no annoying satnav managing somehow to convey that it’s not angry, merely disappointed in your inability to listen and drive at the same time.

Much less physical and mental strain, almost soporific, no decisions to make… Sit back and watch the panoramic movie of your journey unfold before your eyes whilst the rhythm of the train lulls you into a semi catatonic state that somehow alters the passage of time, or at least, your perception of it.

The very potential for boredom is gently eased away as you get glimpses into other people’s homes, gardens, fields, into their lives and lifestyles, into their cultures.

They say travel broadens the mind, even more so when you aren’t driving. And further still when you’re not worrying about the rest of the road users, breakdowns and the sudden appearance of livestock just in front of the radiator grill. Let your mind wander, put it on a train.

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.

Sun Heang

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

Clubs Darlin Darlin NagaWorld Hotel and Casino Tel: 023 228 822 Top-end nightclub with live music popular among the high-flyers of the city. Semi-private booths in a chic environment make for an unrivalled experience. Open daily from 7pm-late.

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 11.30am2.30pm, 6pm-10pm.

Terrazza 1c Street 282.

Tel: 023 214 660 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Le Bar Sofitel Phnom Penh Phokeethra, 26 Sothearos Blvd.

Samai Distillery 9b Street 830.

Tel: 023 224 143

Epic Sothearos Blvd. (near Russian Embassy) Tel: 010 600 608 As the latest luxury nightspot to hit the capital, Epic is taking elite clubbing to the next level.

The spacious venue serves up a range of top-shelf liquors, cocktails and Champagne to the sounds of international DJs. Open daily from 9pm to 5am.

Heart of Darkness 38 Street 51 Tel: 023 222 415 One of the most famous of the city’s nightspots with a good-sized dance floor make this the in-place in town. Has well priced spirits and mixers.

Nova 19 Street 214 Tel: 097 716 5000 Popular with the upmarket Khmer crowd, Nova features DJs from across the region.

VIP areas cater to those who want to escape the crowded dance floor. Open daily from 9pm to 4am.

Pontoon 80 Street 172 Tel: 010 300 400 As a stalwart on the capital’s clubbing scene, a mix of international and local DJs can be found pumping out the tunes seven nights a week until the early hours. Different themed nights run throughout the week. Open Sunday to Thursday, 9pm-4am, Friday and Saturday, 9pm-5am.

Vito 8 Street 214, Tel: 010 421 421 Pumping out all the memorable classics from the 70s to the 90s, Vito’s dancefloor gets packed at weekends with the nostalgia crowd - both young and old. Open daily from 9pm-3am.

Gay-Friendly Arthur & Paul Males Bar and Spa 27 Street 71 Tel: 023 212 814 077 892 256 www.arthurand paul.com The first gay (men-only) venue in Phnom Penh. Features steam baths and sensual showers, spa and hotel. Ease muscle tension,

chat, have a Jacuzzi or relax in one of the private rooms. After using our facilities or swimming, enjoy a drink in the bar or relax in the restaurant and lounge or around the pool.

Blue Chilli 36 Street 178 Tel: 012 566 353 www.bluechillibar.com This welcoming bar run by Thai national Oak is currently the number one gay bar in town.

The drag shows on Friday and Saturday are an additional draw. Open 5pm-late.

The Rainbow Bar 73 Street 172 Tel: 097 741 4187 Intimate bar designed to get to know people better has a range of well-designed cocktails to make the night go with a swing.

Space Hair Salon and Bar 66 Street 136 Tel: 016 916 263 Hairdressers by day, gay bar by night, Space attracts a mixed crowd with its friendly staff and owner. Impromptu drag shows, cheap jugs of beer and great G&Ts. Relax and enjoy the tunes.

Wine Bars Bouchon Wine Bar 3-4 Street 246 Tel: 077 881 103 Classy wine bar with a wide selection of wines from across the globe, plus a selection of hand-crafted cocktails and eats. Open Tuesday to Sunday, 4pm-midnight.

Open Wine 219 Street 19 Tel: 023 233 527 Large wine shop and deli with well-priced wines from around the world. Has outside dining area. Open daily 7am-11pm.

Eclipse Sky Bar 23rd Floor Phnom Penh tower, 445 Monivong Tel: 023 964 171 Upscale, open-air rooftop restaurant and bar on the 23rd floor of Phnom Penh Tower, offering unparalleled views of the capital. Full bar specialising in cocktails. Western and Asian dishes, including imported steaks. Live music at the weekends. Open 5pm to 2am.

La Provence 48 Street 118 Tel: 096 999 0278 French bar with extra cold beer on tap, near the riverfront. Also serves cocktails and wine.

Tapas and snacks are available. French and English spoken.

Le Boutier 32 Street 308 Tel: 097 675 3004 For a blast of AC, Le Boutier hits the spot.

Spread across three-storeys, cocktails are the specialty with great views onto bustling Street 308. Open 6pm to late.

Long After Dark 84 Street 450, Toul Tom Poung Tel: 093 768 354 One of the latest watering holes to land in the Russian Market area, serving cocktails, cider, spirits and beer, as well as a range of food and music on vinyl. Open noon to midnight.

Score Sports Bar 5 Street 282 Tel: 023 221 357 Catering to the capital’s sports’ fans, Score Sports Bar boasts large screen TV with all the best games. Big space with plenty of pool tables. Full bar and pub meals. Open 8am to 2am.

AsiaLIFE Cambodia 63

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 andCambodia as an ebook at Amazon 64 AsiaLIFE

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.

Princeton School Taking Admissions NOW for Term 4 (Starting Monday, 18th of April) Princeton School 2016 Special Offers Join us now with NO CAPITAL FEE until August 2016!

Princeton Program We offer both half and full day programs for 4 age groups Toddler (2-3 years old) Pre-Nursery (3-4 years old) Nursery (4-5 years old) Pre-School (5-6 years old) Summer and winter camp programs Kids Clubs Open for children of all ages. Sign up now - 3pm to 4pm weekdays.

Mandarin Chinese Club Spanish Club Hip Hop Dance Club Arts & Crafts Club

CALL 017 373 376 for more information OR visit us at No. 4A, Street 75, Sangkat Sraschark Phnom Penh.

LIKE us on Facebook: Princeton School Phnom Penh VISIT our website: www.princeton-school.com

Sa Sa Bassac canta.pdf 1 1/12/2016 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 Princeton School Ad AsiaLIFE 27.03.2016.indd 1 and workshop room, and a 60-metre gallery space. Ongoing visual literacy programmes.

SPACE FOUR ZERO Gallery 40 Street 118 Tel: 069 571 100 Pop art gallery and music emporium that produces handmade single editions of Sticky Fingers Art Prints Cambodia by Julien Poulson, also founder and lead guitarist of the highly acclaimed psych-rock band The Cambodian Space Project.

Performing Arts

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Amrita Performing Arts M 128-G9 Sothearos Blvd.

Tel: 023 220 424 Y www.amritaperformingarts.org Performance art company that puts on CM 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

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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.

AsiaLIFE Cambodia 65

LISTINGS

wellness

leisure & wellness Understanding Acupuncture: Part 1 SÂMATA Health & Wellness Studio

The first Chinese texts to clearly mention acupuncture date back to the second century before our era. However, the description of treatments by insertion of needles into the body has also been found in traditional Indian medicine texts (ayurveda), which are now more than 5,000-yearsold. Acupuncture has then lasted and evolved through the millennia, proving its efficiency.

The human body owns a vital energy, called Qi (pronounce chee) that homogenously flows through itself. This energy maintains the balance between the organs and between the body and its physical and psychological environment.

The Qi comes from the air we breath, the food and the liquid we absorb and from the original essence of our body contained in the kidneys.

The flow of that energy might be disturbed by external or internal factors such as stress, anger, malnutrition, strong emotion, cold, heat, infection or heredity. This is when we may observe case of lack or overflow of energy of organs and/or entrails, which lead to the disease. Particular points of the body are then more sensitive, if not painful when pressed. Those points are usually used in the treatment, specifically.

The body is streaked with 12 meridians gathering a certain amount of points. Each meridian corresponds to one of the organ or entrails. Two other meridians, called “curious” or “marvelous” meridians follow the midline of

the body, anterior and posterior.

In addition, there are many other meridians and isolated points that could be used in a very specific way according to the disease. Some of them, like on the ear, are only active when there is trouble. Thus, the choice of points by the acupuncturist varies from one session to the next in order to adapt the treatment and empower its efficiency.

The anxiety few people may have about this practice is legitimate. However, an acupuncture needle is 10 times thinner than a needle used for blood sample. Of course, the pain depends of the sensitivity of each but, at worst, it’s like being pricked with a rose.

After a session – especially the first one – the body might be tired like after a hike, which means the treatment is working. The main effect after each session is no less than a significant relaxation of the body and the mind. Then, it is wiser not to plan a session before taking the road or before the meeting of your life.

In conclusion, the human body is a powerful machine that often “just” needs to be balanced to cure itself.

Acupuncture has not only the power to get rid of local pains, such as headache or sore back, but also give vitality back to your body, a better sleep, a better appetite and, above all, a greater serenity while staying free from drug treatment.

SÂMATA Health & Wellness Studio offer acupuncture treatment by Dr Duch Chan Loraine, a Cambodian Certified Acupuncturist trained in China. For appointment: 010 274 208, #54, St. 306

66 AsiaLIFE Cambodia

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

Himawari FitnessOne 313 Sisowath Quay (Himawari Hotel Apartments) Tel: 023 214 555 ext 881 www.himawarihotel.com Fully equipped modern gym, international pool, tennis court, steam room, outdoor jacuzzi, full locker room facilities and fitness trainer available for personalised sessions. No matter your age or goals, our fitness centre has something for everyone. Membership or one-day passes available, free for children 10 years old and below.

Open from 6am-10pm.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Gyms 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.

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.

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.

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 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.

DIM

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

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.

SUM

BRUNCH

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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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)

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Tel emergency 24/7: 012 779 674 (Khmer) www.agrovet-cambodia.com Managed by a French team and following European standard. Experienced French surgeon performing orthopaedic and abdominal surgeries. Used to organise documents for pets travelling overseas. Mon-Fri: 9am-12noon & 3pm-7pm. Sat: 9am-12pm.

Pet Grooming Cambodia 4 Street 604, Bengkak 2 Toul Kork Tel: 089 491 039 Email: petgroomingcambodia@gmail.com Open Mon-Sat from 9am–6pm.

Spas Amara Spa Cnr Sisowath Quay & St.110 Tel: 023 998 730 www.amaraspa.hotelcara.com Day spa providing a wide selection of facials, body massages and treatments, arranged in a four-storey modern facility at riverfront. Open 11am-11pm.

Aura Spa 21 Mao Tse Toung Blvd. (near corner of St. 63) 23 Street 294 (between St. 21 and St. 9) Tel: 023 555 3209 Mobile: 015 991 688 www.auracambodia.com Aura Spa creates its own signature massage therapy with well-trained therapists to enhance a traditional blend of ancient health and beauty practices which have been passed down from generation to generation. Open every day from 9am–11pm.

Aziadee Spa 16 a/b Street 282 Tel: 023 996 921 aziadee1@yahoo.fr French-run spa offering a good choice of treatments, a range of massages, scrubs, facials, floral baths, manicures, pedicures and waxing in relaxing and tranquil surroundings.

Open 9am-9pm.

Bliss 29 Street 240 Tel: 023 215 754 Health spa at back and upstairs in this beautiful French colonial building.

Open 9am -9pm, closed Monday.

Bodia Spa 26-28 Sothearos Blvd.

Tel: 023 226 199 www.bodia-spa.com Using natural, own-brand products Bodia spa offers body wraps, floral baths, scrubs, facials, aromatherapy, massages and mani-pedies, alongdside Jacuzzi and steam. The peaceful atmosphere is enhanced by scented oils and soft music. Open daily 9am–9pm.

Derma-Care Skin Clinic 161B Norodom Tel: 023 720 042 / 012 415 552 Two qualified dermatologists, this professional skin clinic offers a range of beauty treatments

using American Derma-Rx products, minor dermatologic surgery, antioxidant boosters, chemical peeling, and lipolysis. Open 9am-9pm.

Nata Spa 29 Street 57 Nata Spa has been designed in traditional Khmer style to calm and pamper. The spa operates as a centre for healing and relaxation, offering stress reducing and facial treatment, which blow everyone into an unforgettable experience. Open 9am-10pm.

pets’ corner

Raffles Amrita Spa Tel: 023 981 888 Raffles Amrita Spa offers relaxation and rejuvenation through a wide selection of services and facilities including treatment rooms, outdoor lap and fun pool, Jacuzzi, fitness centre, sauna and steam room. Open daily 6am-10pm.

The Spa at NagaWorld Hun Sen Park Tel: 023 228 822 This luxurious spa promises to bring the ancient Cambodian spa therapy to the world, and claims to be the only all-suite unisex spa in Cambodia. Therapy rooms with sauna, steam and flower bath are inviting, and the spa uses Tomichik flowers as part of its treatment. Open 10am-3am.

Villa Spa 456 Monivong Blvd. (cnr. Street 466) Tel: 0 23 721 765 012 357 561 www.asiagarden.com.kh Aromatherapy massage in private boutique VIP rooms (villa and bungalow style) from professional Chinese and Khmer therapists from Master Kang; female customers only.

Waterlily Spa 42 Spean Anthernou (near Koh Pich) Tel: 012 632 329 spawaterlilty.com Indulge yourself with our spa services that pamper guests from head to toe. Waterlily Spa offers skincare/facials, body treatments, massages, waxing and nail care. Open daily 10am-11pm.

Tattoos and Piercing

Black Star 5A Street 90 Tel: 070 200 900 / 078 753 697 www.blackstarcambodia.com Welcome to Black Star Tattoo’s Cambodia’s finest whether you’re just passing through the Penh, or you’re a resident, this is the place to come for the highest quality tattooing. Open daily from 10am–10pm.

Sports General Ball Hockey Played every Thursday night at City Villa, corner of Streets 360 and 71 at 7pm.

To play, contact Mike: michaelwarford@ispp.edu.kh

Keeping A Rabbit as A Pet?

By Donabelle Zuzart Rabbits are rewarding and popular pets. They can become part of the family but, as sensitive animals, are best suited to teenagers and adults.

Naturally sociable, rabbits like companionship and prefer to live in pairs or compatible groups and their behaviour will reflect this. There are many breeds to choose from.

Rabbits with long fur take much more looking after as the fur can become matted quickly and requires daily grooming.

Most rabbits are happy living either indoors or outside but, if choosing to keep them as house rabbits, extra care must be taken to keep them safe in their indoor environment. All cables must have a protective covering, and house plants should be removed as they may be poisonous. It is most important that rabbits can exhibit their natural behaviour, so they must be kept in accommodation that allows them to hop, stretch and play.

Think carefully about whether you have the time, money and facilitiesto care for rabbits as they can live up to 10 years.

The best time to buy rabbits is when they have been weaned from their mother at about six- to eight-weeksold. The alternative is to get one from a reputable breeder or a good pet shop where the staff are prepared to give as much time and information as you need to make the right decision.

Never place a rabbit with a guinea pig. The animals are different species, do not “speak the same language”, and often a rabbit will inflict severe injuries on a guinea pig. Some pet shops display these animals in the same cage when they are available for sale. Despite this, they should not be bought as a pair.

Outdoor rabbits need plenty of room with a hutch large enough to be able to stand on their hind legs, have the opportunity to stretch out, and hop around. There must also be a private compartment for them to retire to when they wish for some privacy.

A good choice of accommodation for rabbits is a small wooden house with either a large run attached, or a fenced area surrounding it to allow the rabbits to exercise as and when they feel the need. Rabbits kept in accommodation that is too small often become bad tempered and difficult to handle. This may be because they are suffering from skeletal pain as a result of being confined.

It is important that the accommodation is set in a shaded area away from direct sunlight, strong winds and rain.

Ensure the accommodation has strong sliding bolts and is predator-proof as it is possible for a rabbit to die of shock from being harassed by domestic and wild animals.

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.

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

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.

Giving Tree Pre-school Main Branch: 17, Street 71 Tel: 017 997 112 Secondary Branch: 50 Street 322 Tel: 017 997 112 Tuol Kork Branch: 5 Street 325 Tel: 077 993 073 Baby Playgroup 6-12 months; Main Programme 12 months to 6 years old.

Languages: English, French, Japanese, Khmer.

The Giving Tree Primary Secondary Branch: 50 Street 322 Tel: 017 997 112 Email: registrar@thegivingtreeschool.com Grades 1, 2 and 3; 6 to 9 years old. We follow the International Primary Curriculum (IPC) - a worldwide recognised curriculum. 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.

Nira International School 17B Street 105 Tel: 023 454 5006 023 454 5007 Pre-school delivers affordable, high-quality, early childhood education. With new technology, using the IPC curriculum, classes are taught in an international environment. Its spacious central garden favours creativity, development and enables students to express themselves.

Northbridge International School 1km off National Road 4 Tel: 023 886 000 www.nisc.edu.kh Founded in 1997, NISC is a fully-authorised IB World School with a growing enrollment of students aged 3 to Grade 12. Purpose built campus unlike any in Cambodia.

Raffles Montessori International School of Phnom Penh

the bib

A Fistful of Yuan Mark Bibby Jackson January is a strange month.

With Christmas and New Year over people settle down to the mundane normalcy of life. However, in the world of Premier League Football, January is anything but normal. While most sensible Europeans are in hibernation, England’s footballers start their annual dalliance with the ‘romance of the cup’.

As Chelsea City and Utd. passed through to the third round, Arsenal and Liverpool struggled against lesser opponents. Unfortunately for Liverpool they carried their poor cup form through to the league, leaving a first title in 27 years seem like a far-off dream. How Klopp must be wishing there was a midseason break in January just like in his native Germany – it could be argued many of his regulars have gone AWOL in recent weeks, in any case.

While some of the league’s best players have competed in the African Nations Cup – Liverpool suffering the most from the absence of Mane and Matip (the latter due to FIFA’s typical bureaucratic procrastination) – much media hype has focused on a land further away: China.

The winter transfer window traditionally sees managers fighting lost causes trying to sign players from across the globe. Strikers who can find the back of the net without the aid of a GPS and central

defenders who are ‘up for the fight’ are in particular demand.

Normally this is when Big Sam, relieved of England’s poisoned chalice, comes to the fore. While Crystal Palace’s manager has been relatively quiet – expect frantic activity and spontaneous helicopter rides on Jan. 31 – his thunder has been stolen by the money men of the Communist People’s Republic of China.

With Diego Costa purportedly offered $30 million per year to swap the blue of Chelsea for the red of China it’s unsurprising heads are turning. As I write, the final destination of Chelsea’s leading scorer hung in the balance, but if Costa were to head east it would present a serious dent in its title hopes.

Although, it looks as if the Premier League trophy will be heading back to Stamford Bridge come May, the next few weeks could prove decisive. The league leaders visit Liverpool on Jan. 31 before hosting Arsenal four days later, with a tricky trip to Burnley following. If Conte’s men were to pick up nine points from these games, the bookies might even start paying out bets.

As always, expect the unexpected. Who knows, Spurs might even end their 56-year wait for a title. Stranger things have happened; remember Leicester last season.

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.

AsiaLIFE Cambodia 69

family

18 Street 294, corner of Street 57 Tel: 023 993 999 International standard school from Singapore lets children experience independent education with a team of Montessori-trained teachers.

Offering Kindergarten from ages 1.5 to 6 years old in a loving and encouraging environment.

Zaman International School 2843 Street 3 Tel: 023 214 040 www.zamanisc.org International school that teaches a full curriculum to children from four to 18. Facilities include basketball and volleyball courts, a football field and a science lab.

parents. Open daily, 9am-7.30pm.

Toys & Me 159A Mao Tse Toung Blvd.

Tel: 023 212 081 016 808 676 www.toysnme.net Established in 2007, Toys & Me is a leading toys shop in Cambodia. A one-stop shop you can trust when it comes to educational needs for your children.

LISTINGS

Pre-Schools Gecko & Garden Pre-school 3 Street 21 Tel: 092 575 431 www.geckogarden-preschool.org Not-for-profit pre-school emphasises learning through creative play in a supportive environment for children aged 18 months to 5 years. Open daily 7.30am-12pm. After school programme offering a range of fun activities is available 2.30pm-5pm daily.

Sambo’s Tots www.sambostots.com Playhouse and playschool provides fun edutainment experience for babies and toddlers from 3 months to 5 years where imagination comes to life.

Ocarina French Day Nursery 56 Street 350, BKK3 (near Toul Sleng) Tel: 089 257 430 www.ecole-ocarina.com The first French “Micro-crèche” welcoming max 10 toddlers in a warm and encouraging place, under the supervision of a qualified French early childhood educator.

Shops Little Phnom Penh 194eoz Street 306 Tel: 017 877 471 French and Italian designers for kids fashion brand produce children’s wear from new born to 16 years, using local fabrics and mixing it with their taste of European fashion. The collection includes printed T-shirts with graphic designs that recall beautiful Cambodian icons. Open daily from 9.30am-6.30pm.

Monument Toys 111 Norodom Bvd. Tel: 023 217 617 To the rear of Monument Books is a well-stocked toy section. It features an excellent range of well-known board games and toys including Barbie dolls, Transformers, Magic 8 balls and more. It has to be the best place in the city for brand named toys and games. Open daily 7.30am-8pm.

Pitchoun 25DE0 Street 294 Tel: 017 555 325 Selling stylish baby clothes and shoes, cute dresses and skirts, and trendy shirts at reasonable prices, to please both children and

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business & services Architecture, Interior Design & Construction Beyond Interiors 14e Street 306 Tel: 023 987 840 012 930 332 ww.beyondinteriors.biz Managed by Australian designer Bronwyn Blue, this interior design showroom can provide the ultimate solution. All products from Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia and Cambodia have been treated to withstand any climate. Open 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.

Hemisphere Design & Interiors Tel: 012 602 955 william@norbert-munns.com Western managed renovation company specialising in swimming pools and Jacuzzi construction in fibreglass and concrete.

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 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.

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 4B, Street 114 (Kramoun Sar) Tel: 023 210 123 maybank2u.com.kh The only bank operating in Cambodia ranked

by Bloomberg Markets as among the World’s Top 20 Strongest Banks. Maybank humanises financial services by helping customers and employees grow, bridging them to new

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 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.

Forte Insurance 325, Mao Tse Toung Blvd.

Tel: 023 885 077 www.forteinsurance.com Forte Insurance is dedicated to providing exceptionally comprehensive and efficient insurance services (Corporate Insurance & Personal Insurance) to all our clients.

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

knowledgeable business insight and experienced guidance to leading companies, governments, think tanks and global investment funds.

Media & Design

Telecoms

Asia Media Lab Tel: 012 818 917 asiamedialab.com Full service video production company specialises in the creation of dynamic visual content to help bring NGO stories to life for fundraising and advocacy.

Cellcard 33 Sihanouk Blvd Tel: 012 800 800 A leading mobile phone operator providing a comprehensive range of voice, data and SMS services to individual and corporate users, both pre-paid and post-paid.

Photography

Emaxx Corner St 214 / Norodom Blvd.

Tel: 023 999 818

AsiaMotion Tel: 092 806 117 www.asiamotion.net Photographic agency established in November 2008 as a cooperation between local and international photographers.

Provides a national, high-quality, 4G network service for Internet and multi-media services.

Ezecom 7D Russian Blvd. Tel: 023 888 181 www.ezecom.com.kh Internet service provider that promises boundless packages suited to everyone’s needs.

Good for those looking for unlimited downloads.

Mobitel 33 Sihanouk Blvd.

Tel: 012 801 801 Largest ISP in the country. Major mobile phone company which issues the 012 SIM card.

Smart 464a Monivong Blvd.

Tel: 010 201 000 One of Cambodia’s leading mobile operator, offering super-fast 4G LTE. Provides a range of phones, tablets and selection of call plans.

i3 Studio Tel: 017 728 895 095 666 817 092 709 596 Photography services: event, pre-wedding, wedding coverage and videography service.

Nathan Horton Photography Tel: 092 526 706 www.nathanhortonphotography.com Full service professional photographer. Hotels, bars, restaurants, spas and location work. Call for Travel Photography workshops and tours.

Real Estate and Property Services Avebury Asia Partners The Emerald Building 63 Norodom Boulevard www.aveburyasia.com Avebury Asia Partners is a boutique real estate firm specializing in Brokerage, Commercial Leasing Services, Research and Consulting and Owner’s Representation services for the rapidly growing Southeast Asian market. We provide clients with transparent solutions held to international standards.

True love is…

CB Richard Ellis (Cambodia) Co., Ltd. 9/F , Hyundai Phnom Penh Tower 445 Monivong Blvd. Tel: 023 964 099 www.cbre.com.kh The world’s largest commercial real estate services company offering premier quality real estate, valuations, consultancy, investment and property services.

Independent Property Services (IPS) 182 Street 63 Tel: 077 959 861 www.ips-cambodia.com Property and real estate agent offering apartments, houses and villas for sale and rent in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap.

DFDL Legal and Tax Advisors 33 Street 294 Tel: 023 210 400 www.dfdlmekong.com Law firm providing international standard legal and tax solutions with local and cross-border experience with offices in neighbouring countries.

Asian Tigers Beton Street, Mol Village, Sangkat Dongkor Tel: 023 212 014 www.asiantigers-mobility.com/cambodia Leading provider of international relocation solutions with over 30 offices in 14 countries.

Sciaroni & Associates 24 Street 462 Tel: 023 210225 www.sa-asia.com Leading professional and investment advisory firm based in Cambodia with legal offices in Laos and Myanmar, provides skilled counsel,

Giant Ibis Transport Phnom Penh Phnom Penh: 3 Street 106 Siem Reap: 64 Sivatha Street Tel: 023 999 333 www.giantibis.com Travel in “Affordable Luxury” to Siem Reap and other destinations in brand new 2012 buses with reclining seats, spacious leg room, AC, WiFi, complementary snacks and pick-up service.

Anon Creative Energy Tel: 089 812 123 Email: anoncambodia@gmail.com Internationally trained advertising talent at your service. Strong, strategic ideas. Available for freelance art and copy writing projects.

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.

Gordon and Associates Asia 21 Street 214 Tel: 023 218 257 US lawyer works with local Cambodian lawyers to provide international quality advice. Specialises in foreign investment, joint ventures and advising entrepreneurs.

from US$1 for first 2km.

services

opportunities.

Relocation, Shipping

Crown 115-116 Street 335 Tel: 023 881 004 www.crownrelo.com Global transportation and relocation company with over 150 offices in 50 countries, specialising in expat support and household shipment. Open 8.30am-5.30pm (Mon-Fri), 8.30am-12pm (Sat).

Taxi Services Choice Taxi Tel: 023 888 023 090 882 882 Metered taxi service with rates

…planning your finances together If you are married or in a permanent relationship one of the best gifts you can give each other financial security.

Sit down together with one of our qualified advisors and start making a financial plan for your future.

Get in touch today

Call 023 997 121 email enquiries@infinitysolutions.com

infinitysolutions.com

Labuan FSA Licence N0. BS200548 Company No. LL04446

AsiaLIFE Cambodia 71 Ad Asia Life Cambodia February 2016.indd 1

1/6/16 16:57

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

money matters shopping Money talks: Ways to Make Yours Say ‘I Love You’ Paul Dodd

It’s that time of year again when the world overflows with hearts, flowers and platitudes about love: Valentine’s Day. If you’re not into sending a card that contains words you would never say in real life or paying over the odds for a mediocre, overpriced meal in the company of other couples engaging in cringe-worthy public displays of affection, there are other ways to say “I love you”.

As 1980s singing sensation Gwen Guthrie said, “No romance without finance”.

Financial planning doesn’t sound very romantic but taking care of someone is one of the most loving things you can do.

Here are three ways that you can show just how much you love and cherish your partner, and indeed your family, through your financial planning: 1.Health insurance Being in good health is one of the best gifts that can be bestowed on us in life. While we can manage our lifestyles to keep ourselves as fit as possible, we can’t always control what happens to us health-wise. That’s why protecting your family with a comprehensive health insurance policy is so important. All of you will benefit from the peace of mind of knowing that you can cope financially if a curve ball illness or accident needing medical attention is thrown your way.

2.Life insurance With the traditional wedding vows, husbands and wives promise to love and cherish each other “till death us do part”, but you can go further and protect your family from beyond the grave with life insurance, morbid as that might sound. Ensuring financial stability in the face of the untimely loss of a breadwinner is something that we should all do for our loved ones.

3.Estate planning There are many reasons to make sure you have a will written, witnessed and kept up-to-date. For starters, it’s the only way to ensure your money, possessions and property end up with the people you want them to. Having a will makes it easier for your loved ones to sort everything out when you die at a time when stress is high, but it can also be used to help reduce the amount of inheritance tax levied on your estate. I It might not sound as romantic as whisking them away on a weekend break to Paris but I can think of no more solid way to demonstrate your undying love for your Valentine than guaranteeing their financial security whatever life may throw at the pair of you.

You might want to throw in a bunch of flowers or a bottle of bubbly as well though.

Infinity Financial Solutions provides impartial, tailor-made, personal financial advice to clients in Cambodia and Southeast Asia. Should you wish to contact Paul, please send an email to info@infinitysolutions.com or visit infinitysolutions.com.

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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 very personal and positive insight into everyday life in Cambodia. Open 8am-10pm 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

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

some classics such as pralines, truffles and bars. Open 9am - 7pm Monday-Saturday and 9am-4pm on Sunday. Second outlet in BKKI Street 63. Third outlet in Aeon Mall, Ground floor - Sweet Island.

The Deli 13 Street 178 Tel: 012 851 234 Café and bakery with take away breads, sandwiches and pastries. Now has a second outlet on Street 51. Open 6.30am-6.30pm, delivery service (within 30 minutes) 7am-11pm.

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.

Household Goods Japan Home Centre 48A Street 294 Tel: 089 266 851 101A Street 432 (cnr Street 167) Tel: 078 850 320. www.japanhomecentre.com A place where you can find all of your household needs. Open daily from 10am-8pm Mi-a Japan Street 271 (100m after Stung Meanchey bridge) Tel: 023 6444 531 The store provides a variety of products from gardening tools to dining materials. The 100-yen shop is famous in Japan and has now arrives in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. Open daily at AEON Mall 1F 9am-10pm, Dream Land on Sisowath Quay 9am-11pm, Street 271 8am9pm & Siem Reap 9am-10pm.

Trove Street 308 & Bassac Lane Tel: 092 964 684 Trove is a gift and homeware shop located on the corner of Bassac Lane and Street 308 and is the perfect place for your Christmas shopping. The founders have lived in the Cambodian capital for more than 13 years combined and have travelled throughout the region and beyond carefully sourcing goods.

Malls AEON Mall 132 Sothearos Blvd.

As Cambodia’s first Western-style shopping mall, AEON is home to a host of local and international brands, a sprawling food hall, department store and entertainment floor featuring a cinema, bowling alley and arcade section. Close your eyes and you could be in Bangkok

Silks & Accessories Friends ‘n’ Stuff 215 Street 13 Friends ‘n’ Stuff shop sells products made by the parents of children in need, from various Friends projects, as well as other consignment items. After some serious shopping, you can relax here with a manicure and massage by Mith Samlanh’s beauty training students at The Nailbar. Friends ‘n’ Stuff has a small shop at the Russian Market and Romdeng restaurant as well. Open daily from 11am-9pm.

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.

Hummingbird 137 Street 19 Tel: 092 504 604 www.facebook.com/hummingbird. cambodia Modern women’s clothing boutique with all the latest styles. Opened in 2014 offering a unique, high-quality range of dresses, playsuits, shirts and blouses, skirts, tops and t-shirts, shorts, bags, flats and sandals, jewellery, beauty and wellbeing products and more. Open daily from 9am to 9pm.

The Chocolate Shop 240 35 Street 240 Tel: 077 666 402 Premium Chocolate shop with a large range of Cambodian-made Belgian chocolates including

Trove 33 Bassac Lane, Phnom Penh.

Tel: 092 964 684.

Serving a selection of treasures sourced from across the globe.

into the wild

Protecting Elephants Yulia Khouri (Photo by Steve Porte) “Elephants cannot be manufactured. Once they’re gone, they cannot be replaced.” Iain DouglasHamilton Under the blazing sun at Kandal port on Dec. 16, a team of 20 Wildlife Alliance (WA) team members were boiling the wax off thousands of animal body parts. Elephant tusks, pangolin scales and cheetah skeletons were among those parts. This was the biggest wildlife trafficking bust yet. WA says this is one of “the largest seizures of illegal animal parts ever recorded”. The Cambodian government discovered 1.3 metric tons of African elephant tusks. The smuggled animal parts were hidden in the midst of 116 rare timber logs shipped in three containers from Pemba, Mozambique. It took three days for customs officers, WA and the US Embassy to excavate the 640 elephant tusks and tusk pieces, 10 cheetah skulls and 82kgs of bones, and 137kgs of pangolin scales ensconced in a heavy, white wax substance and concealed inside three wooden coffins.

Behind the shocking discovery is a dark global business of illegal wildlife trafficking. The ignorant but skillfully-crafted and preserved narrative of the imaginary medicinal value of wildlife body parts is what keeps this bloody trade going strong. The dark irony, however, is that this industry is killing the planet and the global eco-system,

and will eventually come to hunt us. The loss of elephants gravely affects many species that depend on elephantmaintained ecosystems and causes major habitat chaos in addition to destroying the structure and diversity of nature itself. To lose elephants is to lose a major “environmental caretaker”.

Yet, the world is losing more of the mammals than the population can reproduce. The big tusks of bull elephants are the main target; their numbers have declined to less than half of the female population.

Female African elephants are also killed for their tusks and it has a terrible effect on the stability of elephant societies, leaving an increasing number of orphaned babies. One conservation group says that as of 2016, there are more African elephants being killed for ivory than are being born.

The perpetrators must face justice. In the latest case, the suspect has been identified as a Vietnamese national specialising in illegal wildlife trafficking between Africa and China.

As I see the Cambodian government and Wildlife Alliance cooperation in these raids, I am proud of be their Ambassador. My call today to all is to end the demand for the wildlife remains. The only way to stop the supply is to bring those who buy it to justice as well; to me, they are just as complacent and guilty as those who are murdering the wildlife and trafficking it around the globe.

Yulia Khouri is the Wildlife Alliance ambassador. For more information, visit wildlifealliane.org.

AsiaLIFE Cambodia 73

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ActionAid Cambodia Since international NGO ActionAid started operations in Cambodia in 1999, it has worked to further human rights and defeat poverty. Photograph by Mengkheang Tan.

W

hen ActionAid International’s Cambodia (AAIC’s) programme started in 1999, its focus was to identify groups from various provinces across the country, strengthen their capacity and link them with networks and movements within the Kingdom and the Southeast Asia region.

In July 2004, AAIC’s country office opened and, since then, has evolved into a strategic long-term partnership with different people’s groups and NGOs across the country.

Today, the organisation works with 12 local agencies.

Its Cambodia country programme is strategic in its geographical coverage, taking in difficult terrains and the most poor and excluded communities.

AICC is working with Ratanakkiri to secure land rights to indigenous communities, Battambang and Pursat, where the work focuses on securing fishery and rights to poor fisher communities.

In Banteay Meanchey province, the programme focuses on asserting basic rights and ensuring human security to marginalised communities living on the Thai border, and in realising a life with dignity for the positive people, particularly children and women.

In Siem Riep, it is engaged in effective resettlement of itinerant communities living in former Khmer Rouge heartlands.

And, in addition, the urban programme in Phnom Penh focuses on housing rights, such as protection and security against eviction, and livelihood rights, rights over basic amenities, good governance and healthy environment management.

78 AsiaLIFE Cambodia

The urban programme also focuses on providing security through state accountability to female victims of domestic violence, desertion and widows, street and working children, positive people and the uncared-for elderly.

AAIC’s approach includes: Actions by poor and excluded: AAIC involves poor people in the core of its work.

It works “with” the poor rather than “for” the poor. People-centred advocacy work that provides space for people to voice their frustrations and hopes forms part of its central work. It is in promoting and encouraging actions by the people that the organisation sees its rights-based approach coming to realisation.

Partnerships and alliances: AAIC is one of the players in the fight against poverty and injustice. It recognises the strength of organisations and networks – operating at all levels – with similar visions and approaches in creating synergy towards making a lasting impact.

Long-term commitment: AAIC designs its work for the long term, beyond projectmode. It works with and strengthens partner organisations, while programmes address the root causes of people’s poverty.

Working with the government: AAIC believes that by working with the government, it can ensure the sustainability of its programmes and bridge the gap between local authorities and communities.

Critical analysis and awareness: AAIC encourages communities to critically analyse the root causes of their problems and to increase their awareness of issues relevant to their lives. It is in strengthening and harnessing the critical agency of

the people persistently and consistently that the organisation sees the possibility of addressing root causes beyond the symptoms of poverty and injustice.

Creating knowledge and evidence through research: AAIC supports new initiatives, pilot projects and action research in an effort to document lessons learned, creating knowledge-based advocacy and policy influencing initiatives.

Organising and mobilising: AAIC uses various methods and tools in organising and mobilising communities that lead to them standing up for their own rights and to claiming their rights.

Some of the main areas it works in include disasters and emergencies, with Cambodia considered one of the world’s most vulnerable countries when it comes to natural disaster – floods and droughts have affected thousands of Cambodians in the last few years.

Food rights is another area. By 2018, smallholder farmers, artisan fisherfolk, women and children in the 75 communities where it works will have improved food security and control over their livelihoods.

Within the same timescale, it has set a target that 90 percent of children aged six to 15 in the communities it works will equally enjoy their right to quality public education.

Also by 2018, 8,000 women in urban areas and 70 percent of women in rural communities where it works will be empowered to challenge gender-based violence and gender inequality in all aspects of their lives.

For more information, visit actionaid.org/ cambodia.

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

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This month, AsiaLIFE takes a look at some of thetop apps out there for pet owners

Pet Coach (Free) | Pet Coach is a useful source of pet health advice and tips from qualified veterinarians and experts. Users who sign up for Pet Coach can easily post questions about pet health, nutrition, training and behaviour to veterinarians, trainers and other verified pet care experts. Users can peruse the forums and post general questions for free. For more specific advice, users can arrange for a paid consultation. Whether you own a dog or cat of any breed or more exotic pets, such as a horse or reptile, Pet Coach can help you find out what you need.

Game for Cats (Free) | Little Hiccup’s Game for Cats is an old-hand in the cat apps field, with simple gameplay that has your furry friend chasing a simulated laser pointer, a mouse or a moth. While the iPad version has been out a while, the app has just launched on Android devices. Game for Cats offers the laser pointer mode for free, while the mouse and moth modes are available with an in-app purchase. Everyone knows their cat loves playing games just as much as they themselves do. This application give your pets the opportunity to game as hard as you. Just be wary, every time you whip that iPad out, your cat is going to be all over you trying to get in on the action.

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Animal Poison Control Center App (Free) | The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) has aunched an app in case you ever find yourself in a health emergency with your pooch or kitty. It is a handy guide to common household items, drugs, hazards and plants that can be dangerous for dogs, cats, birds or horses. Users can search for a particular substance or plant, or filter by species. They can also receive a colour coded risk assessment, list of expected symptoms and actions, poison calculators and, most importantly, a one-touch dial to the ASPCA’s poison control hotline.

Dog Monitor ($4.99) | Now you can check on your dog or cat while you’re at work. You’ll know when it’s barking, and if anything is wrong. You can even talk to your dog remotely and monitor a live video feed 24/7. This is the first dog monitor app in the App Store with unlimited reach. It is a must-have for any pet owner.

With the Dog Monitor app, you can easily turn any two iOS devices into a full-featured dog monitor in a matter of seconds. No registration or connection adjustments required. There’s even an adjustable light feature, which allows you to check-in on your pet even when it is dark. Video stream requires iOS 6 or newer.

boxoffice

FIFTY SHADES DARKER

PATRIOTS DAY

THE LEGO BATMAN MOVIE

RINGS

As the follow up to Fifty Shades of Grey, expect more steamy scenes and bedroom action as the screen adaptation of the smash hit books by British author E.L. James continues.

When a wounded Christian Grey (Jamie Dornan) tries to entice a cautious Anastasia Steele (Dakota Johnson) back into his life, she demands a new arrangement before she will give him another chance. As the two begin to build trust and find stability, shadowy figures from Christian’s past start to circle them, determined to destroy their hopes for a future together.

Based on the events that unravelled when the Boston bombers struck on Apr. 15, 2013, Patriots Day follows the tragedy that ensued when two bombs explode during the Boston Marathon. In the aftermath, police sergeant Tommy Saunders (Mark Wahlberg), FBI Special Agent Richard DesLauriers (Kevin Bacon) and Commissioner Ed Davis (John Goodman) join courageous survivors, first responders and other investigators in a race to hunt down the suspects and bring them to justice.

Combing Lego with Batman was always going to be a hit, and The Lego Batman Movie promises to be just that. As a spin-off to the 2014 film, The Lego Movie, it features the voices of Will Arnett, Zach Galifianakis, Michael Cera, Rosario Dawson and Ralph Fiennes. There are big changes brewing in Gotham, but if Batman (Arnett) wants to save the city from the Joker’s (Galifianakis) hostile takeover, he may have to drop the lone vigilante thing, try to work with others and maybe, just maybe, learn to lighten up.

For those brave enough to sit through the first two – I certainly wasn’t – then Rings is the third in the horror series, renowned for its super scary scenes. Set 13 years after the last episode, Julia (Matilda Lutz) becomes worried about her boyfriend Holt (Alex Roe) when he explores a dark subculture surrounding a mysterious videotape said to kill the viewer seven days after seeing it. She sacrifices herself to save her boyfriend and in doing so makes a horrifying discovery: there is a movie within the movie that no one has ever seen before.

COMING SOON MOVIE RELEASES Platinum See platinumcineplex.com/kh for screening schedule Rings Feb. 02 Patriots Day Feb. 10 The Lego Batman Movie Feb. 10 Fifty Shades Darker Feb. 14 Mr Hurt Feb. 14

Legend Cinemas See legend-cinemas.com for screening schedule Resident Evil: The Final Chapter Feb. 02 Patriots Day Feb. 10 A Cure for Wellness Feb. 20 The Lego Batman Movie Feb. 23 The Bye Bye Man Feb. 27

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D2’S FEBRUARY 1. Which ancestor of Noah is also the name of an oversized Champagne bottle that holds six litres?

2. Which Apollo 11 astronaut did not set foot on the moon?

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7. Which national team introduced ‘Total Football’ at the 1974 FIFA World Cup in Germany?

8. According to legend, which man rode horses named Llamrei, Hengroen and Passelande?

9. What is the Greek word for fire?

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Pub Quiz Answers

6. Which James Bond theme song that starts with the words “Meeting you” was the only 007 theme song to reach number one in the US charts?

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1. Methuselah 2. Michael Collins 3. Rogers and Hammerstein’s ‘Carousel’ 4.

Singapore Sling 5. Some Like It Hot 6. A View To A Kill (Duran Duran) 7. Holland 8. King ArthurI 9. Pyro 10. Staten Island, Queens, Manhattan, Brooklyn and The Bronx 11. Frank Rijkaard 12. Dr Gregory House 13. Montana 14. Mary Quant 15. Bergamot Orange

5. Spats Columbo is the bad guy in which popular black and white film?

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3. FC Liverpool’s signature song ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ stems from which musical?

4. Which cocktail, named after a city, was invented by Raffles Hotel barkeeper Ngiam Tong Boon in 1915?

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10. What are the five boroughs in New York City?

13. In in which US state did the Battle of Little Big Horn take place?

11. Which Dutch footballer earned the nickname ‘Llama’ after spitting on the West German striker Rudi Völler during a 1990 FIFA World Cup game?

14. Which British fashion designer does one associate with the invention of the mini skirt and hot pants?

12. Which anti-social television character does not like pickles?

15. What kind of orange is used to flavour Earl Grey?

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