Travelogue
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 life. Sihanouk died in October 2012 of heart failure in a hospital in Beijing. For three months his embalmed body has been on display at the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh. During this time his portrait has also hung from the Moonlight Pavilion at the Royal Palace. The final touches to Sihanouk’s crematorium in Phnom Penh were only completed at the end of January. Work on the crematorium has continued around the clock for two months to get it ready. The site chosen to feature the cremation was Veal Preah Maru park near the National Museum and running along Street 178. It’s a huge project costing US$1.2 million. The funeral and cremation will involve more than 10,000 civilian and military police, bodyguards and officials. The cremation will be in the Cambodian and Buddhist tradition. Sihanouk asked that his ashes be put in an urn, preferably made of gold, and placed in a stupa at the Royal Palace. At the site, tourists wander past snapping photos of the crematorium. Punters at nearby Rory’s Pub rue their “favourite park” has been taken. Every evening during construction, a truck would circle the
Koh Samui - Some Like It Hot - 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
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
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
