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The Tinat Restaurant - Phnom Penh - 28 February 2013
On the corner of Streets 154 and 51 is one of the best value diners in Phnom Penh, the Tinat Restaurant. The Tinat isn’t included in any guidebook, a blessing in disguise, and the hard working Khmer-Chinese owners do nicely anyway, thanks very much.It’s not on any list of places you want to be, there are no Michelin chefs, no fancy décor, and no frills. Lonely Planet has never heard of it, which may serve to help save its charm. That’s not to say there aren’t wandering backpackers their noses buried in guidebooks oblivious to what’s actually going around them seeking a gastronomic treat in the capital of the Kingdom of Wonder.Staying just down the road near the glorious Central Market in the comfortable and very affordable Happiness Guest House, my mate, his girlfriend, and I would regularly wander down for an evening meal dodging the traffic on Street 51 as we went.Initially, we weren’t even sure the restaurant had a name. We would call it the Khmer restaurant, because it was owned by Khmers and most of the customers were locals too. “See you at the Khmer restaurant at six” we’d say.Only when we noticed the yellow awning later were we aware it was actually called the Tinat Restaurant. But it wasn’t a name that resonated with us so my mate, Kiwi Paul, took to calling it the "Peanut Restaurant”.The corner of Streets 51 (Rue Pasteur) and 154 can be a busy intersection, especially after 5pm. I never cease to wonder at the buzz of activity going on around me. I can
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Farewell to the King - 01 February 2013
In Phnom Penh on 4 February 2013, the final chapter in the life of one of Asia’s most extraordinary characters will be played out – the cremation of the former King of Cambodia, Norodom Sihanouk. The fact that the King Father as he is known, has been dead for three months is just another facet of a long, fascinating and at times, controversial
Some Like It Hot - On Samui Time - 05 January 2013
From the air under the tropical sun Ko Samui looks like a green jewel, an emerald bordered with a white sandy fringe and palm trees surrounded by light blue water. It doesn’t look too bad from the sea either. However you arrive, you’ll soon settle into the easy pace of island life.Officially, there are seasons in the Gulf of Thailand
Rub a Dub Markets - 02 December 2012
One of the most easily identifiable landmarks in Cambodia’s capital, Phnom Penh, is the New Market or Psar Thom Thmey or simply Psar Thmey. Psar is market and Thom in Khmer means big or grand, so it’s the "New Grand Market". The market sits one block east of one of Phnom Penh’s main thoroughfares, Monivong Boulevard, towards the river occupying
Full Moon Parties with the Hounds from Hell - 05 November 2012
Ko Pha Ngan in the Gulf of Thailand is known as the land of coconut trees. The name of the island is derived from the local word for ‘sand bar’ of which the island has many. For years Ko Pha Ngan was a favourite with Thai royalty, especially Rama V, a moderniser and fifth king of Siam under the House of Chakri, whose portrait dominates many a
Treasure Island, Pirates and the Bitch from Hell - Ko Samet - 05 October 2012
Ko Samet is rumoured to once have been the den of pirates, and to this day it’s believed there’s hidden treasure on the island. It has gained a reputation as a laid back paradise where the emphasis is on spending as much time as possible doing as little as possible.Ko Samet (also Koh Samed) lies three hours drive east of the Thai capital
The Beautiful Game in the Kingdom of Wonder - 20 September 2012
Football in Cambodia, the self-styled Kingdom of Wonder, doesn’t scale the heights of the Beautiful Game in other countries. There are no huge stadiums, well, there’s one old one, no large crowds “doing the Poznan” and singing en masse or waving scarves and flags, no massive pay cheques on offer or transfer fees, and no superstars. A few people
The Road Most Travelled - The Expats Guide to Cambodia (Part II) - 20 August 2012
The road most travelled in Cambodia work wise for expats is the world of foreign language teaching mainly English, but also as a former colony French, and these days to a lesser extent Korean and no doubt, Chinese. But most plunge into the world of English language teaching in a plethora of institutions, some functional and some not so
Working in the Kingdom of Wonder - the Expats Guide to Cambodia - 1 August 2012
For expats working in Cambodia can be a fascinating experience one, however, that comes with a few pitfalls which can affect foreigners and locals alike. Over time, I’ve chosen to stay and work in the self-styled Kingdom of Wonder for a number of reasons. After visiting neighbouring countries, I found Cambodian people amongst the most friendly