Travelogue
Shopping in Phnom Penh - 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 an entire city block and is distinctive even from space. On Google maps, it resembles a giant white cross on the cityscape. The Psar Thmay is more commonly referred to in English as the Central Market. It was built in the 1930s during the French colonial period in magnificent Art Deco style. When it first opened it was said to be the biggest market in the whole of Asia. In keeping with many other colonial period buildings in the city, the market is painted bright ochre. The Central Market serves as a landmark, a centre piece in a city which doesn’t really have a centre. It’s comforting to look down the city’s straight streets and boulevards and see its distinctive roof and wings gleaming in the sun. Around it swarms the traffic, like bees around a hive. A few years ago it looked rather dilapidated, it’s facade the victim of the tropical heat. War and years of neglect had also taken their toll. Starting in 2009 it underwent a two year refurbishment, courtesy of the French Development Agency. The Agence Française de Développement spent $4.2 million on renovating the entire building inside and
Koh Phangan - 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
Ko Samet - Treasure Island, Pirates and Travel Agents from Hell - Ko Samet - 05 October 2012
Ko Samet (or Koh Samed) 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
Football in Cambodia - 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
Khao San Road - In The Ghetto - 14 July 2012
Khao San Road (pronounced “Cow sarn”) is the main backpacker mecca for foreigners in Bangkok, Sukhumvit being another. The road itself is located in Banglamphu or Farang-Lam-Phu, as it’s jokingly referred to after the Thai word for foreigner. The more cynical call it “Khao Shit Road” and it has been described as the perfect example of a
Where The Streets Have No Names - 25 June 2012
Phnom Penh is a city where the streets have numbers rather than names save for the main thoroughfares, though some have both. As someone once commented, “the thing about Phnom Penh street names is that they are fun for every purpose except the obvious – identifying where you are or where you are going.” Some street names have changed
You'll Never Ride Alone - Traffic in the Pearl of Asia - 20 June 2012
Road traffic in Cambodia is a wonder laced with danger. More than mere transport, for the expat observer it can provide hours of entertainment and at times, sheer amazement in a country where the mere mundane can be both fascinating and photogenic. It provides the pulse of life, a hive of activity, the sheer energy that is life in the country
