AsiaLIFE Cambodia June 2016

062016 ISSUE114

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SERVICED APARTMENT LOCATED IN THE HEART OF PHNOM PENH +855 23 986 810 | INFO@CENTRALMANSIONS.COM | WWW.CENTRALMANSIONS.COM 2 SWIMMING POOLS • GYM • KIDS’ ROOM • RESTAURANT • CONVENIENCE STORE • JACUZZI

note from the editor AsiaLIFE Group Group Editor-in-Chief / Director Cambodia: Mark Bibby Jackson mark@asialife.asia

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

Managing Editor Cambodia: Marissa Carruthers marissa@asialife.asia

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

Associate Editor: Joanna Mayhew

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

Siem Reap: Sarah Brown

Marissa Carruthers

Distribution: Son Veasna 096 222 7231 Printing: Sun Heang Printing House

Photographers: Charles Fox & Lucas Veuve & Lim Sokchanlina Sales Director & Business Development: Han Phu han@asialife.asia 011 569 725 Sales Officer: Chhorn Ny chhanny@asialife.asia 015 604 405 Accountants: Sorn Rathana

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

062016 ISSUE114

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. 99

| JUN 2016

It feels like a lifetime ago now, but if I try hard enough, I can recall those daunting first few weeks – months even – trying to understand this new world I’d been catapulted into. Just trying to cross the road was a chore, let alone finding new friends, work, a home – readjusting to a whole new life.

Knowing how terrifying it can be to pack up your life and relocate to these tropical lands, we’ve come up with some top tips on settling into your new home. And we can all personally reassure you here at AsiaLIFE HQ that it really doesn’t take that long for Cambodia to become home, and when it does, you’ll reap the rich rewards living in this charming country brings, as well as all of the quirks that come with it.

With another colourful and successful Cambodia LGBT Pride having taken place in Phnom Penh last month, we throw the spotlight on neighbouring Vietnam.

The Communist Party abolishing a ban on same-sex marriage, which came into force on Jan. 1, 2015, has led to a surge in LGBT tourism in the country, with tour groups specifically catering to the market proving a hit.

Lorcan Lovett takes a look at the changing landscape in the country.

I jump on board the revamped Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville passenger train to talk to Royal Railways boss John Guiry about the hefty operation to get the train fit for action once again, and plans for the future.

And we go backstage to get a sneak peek at Amrita Performing Arts’ latest show, which takes to the stage this month.

While the rains have started, the sticky heat remains heavy in the air. This month, we give a rundown of the top five pools to cool off at. And if you’re hungry while on holiday, we take a look at some of the best breakfasts in Asia, and throw the spotlight on some of the capital’s eateries, bars and good causes. So go ahead and enjoy another hefty issue of AsiaLIFE.

Accountants / Distribution Seang Seiha 012 887 118

PACK MAN DIRT BIKING COMBODIA ZIKA UPDATE

INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS PUBLISHING HOUSE

www.asialifemagazine.com

4 AsiaLIFE Cambodia

FOR SALES ENQUIRIES: Chhan Ny Tel: 015 60 44 05 Chhanny@asialife.asia

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

062016 ISSUE114

front

08 Events 11 Trending

getaway

42 The Early Bird Catches The Worms

food

44 Needa

12 Openings 14 News 16 Top 5 20 Day In The Life

45 Tipico Tapas 46 Orchidee Pasteur

22 Photo Essay

47 City Drinks: Che Culo

26 Q&A: Yulia Khouri

on the cover

28 Touch Down

storyboard

34 Dancing For The Future 36 All Aboard

style & design

48 The Smallest Details

back

53 Listings

38 Film For The Future

50 Candy Crush

78 Phnom Penh Map 86 Pub Quiz

40 A Gay Weekend Away

28 6 AsiaLIFE Cambodia

34 36

42

3 JUN

7pm - 10pm

Fruit for Thought @ Farm to Table A monthly introduction to each season’s fruits through craft cocktails. Farm to Table present an evening of Cambodian golden rock tunes from Miss Sarawan and Joe Wrigley, while guest mixologist Anne Marie Sagoi, of Le Boutier, crafts cocktails behind the bar with June's in-season fruits: Java plum, rambutan and mangosteeen. Cocktails $5.

8 AsiaLIFE Cambodia

Raffles’ Guest Chef @ Elephant Bar, Raffles le Royal One of the global culinary scene’s rising stars and twice nominated for the James Beard Award, Erik Bruner-Yang, of Toki Underground and Maketto restaurants in Washington D.C, will showcase signature tapas. This will be paired with some creative cocktails at the Elephant Bar for lunch and dinner.

A brunch is on Saturday.

3-4 JUN

Noon - 2.30pm, 6pm - 10pm

Spring Fair @ Ocarina Music School

5 JUN 2pm - 6pm

A great opportunity for parents to discover the latest activities at Ocarina for September, and for children to have fun and take part in a variety of activities, including taster sessions for various instruments, making books and sculptures.

The afternoon also includes music workshops, games, face painting, tombola, and a buffet featuring ice-cream from Bonbon and pastries from Comme Ă la Maison.

AsiaLIFE Cambodia 9

Yoga Soul Body Fit Foundation Teacher Training

The course is recommended for anybody with an interest in yoga and who wants to understand a little more about practice, or who wants to start their own practice at home. Teaching Certification is given only on completion of all modules and course work. This course is geared to provide a solid foundation to teach all Vinyasa style practices in the Krishnamacharya lineage.

13 - 18 JUN

Phnom Penh International Half Marathon

12 JUN

Starting and ending in front of the Royal Palace, the sixth annual half marathon celebrates the birthday of Queen Norodom Monineath Sihanouk, in conjunction with World Environment Day. All proceeds go to Kantha Bopha Children’s Hospital and Green City. The event has three categories: 3km fun run, 10km road race and the 21.1km half marathon. phnompenhmarathon.org

Music and Film @ French Institute and Bophana Centre Entry: 2$/1$ Following the release of the film Don’t think I’ve forgotten, the French Institute presents a series of events dedicated to music and cinema.

Five specially-selected movies reveal forgotten and endangered music in a series of documentaries previously unseen in Cambodia.

16 - 25 JUN I Want to Get Married @ Java Café Drawings, video and performance by Srey Bandaul, who uses parody as an artistic tool to confront the complexities of Cambodia’s past, identity, social values and its artistic practices. The title I Want to Get Married is a metaphor for understanding compromise, and each other.

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Until 30 JUN

FOOTBALL AND CARS During the last Beijing International Auto show, Liverpool Football club announced its new partnership with MG. To celebrate the occasion, the car brand is releasing three new MG Liverpool themed vehicles. Liverpool legend Michael Owen was present to announce the partnership. For the 100-year-old British car brand, it is a huge step towards a new international recognition. With more than 50 million fans worldwide, including thousands in Cambodia, Liverpool is one of the most-loved sport clubs in the Kingdom.

VICTORIA SNEAKS INTO CAMBODIA The trainer market in Cambodia is booming, thanks to the introduction of Victoria Sneakers.

Created in 1915, Victoria is manufactured in Spain. The company has launched its own successful line of sneakers, already available in Melrose, the fashion concept store that offers a new angle on the Cambodian fashion scene. Shoes are free of toxins and made from high-quality material, 100 percent cotton and natural rubber soles, all sourced in Europe. Prices start at $40 and come in a range of colours and designs.

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

Princeton School Ad AsiaLIFE 27.03.2016.indd 1

3/28/16 3:55 PM

SIHANOUKVILLE SET TO SHINE Sihanoukville will host the prestigious Mekong Tourism Forum in June, it has been announced. The four-day event, takes place from Jul. 5 to 8 at Sokha Resort in Sihanoukville.

Exploring the theme, Authentic experiences along the Mekong River, the event will showcase emerging tourist destinations, authentic experiences and trends in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS). “We are looking forward to hosting this influential annual conference and invite the world to Cambodia’s beautiful southern coast,” says Dr. Thong Kong, Minister of Tourism.

NATIONAL PARK PROTECTION The Southern Cardamom forest is to be registered as a legally protected National Park: The Southern Cardamom National Park. The move, which was officially announced by Prime Minister Hun Sen and the Ministry of Environment, will ensure the survival of the Southern Cardamom ecosystem, which is vital for maintaining one of Asia’s last remaining elephant corridors and one of the last continuous rainforest covers in the region. The Cardamom rainforest, as part of the Indo-Burma Peninsula in Southeast Asia, is one of the most vulnerable rainforests in the world.

AsiaLIFE Cambodia 11

BY KIMCHHAY CHANRY

HELP+ PHARMACY 24 HOUR CARE Catering for 24-hour care, Help+ Pharmacy has opened its first branch in Cambodia, offering top quality pharmaceutical care around the clock. With shelves stocked full of medicine, skincare products, health supplements and supplementary drugs, – all licensed – the pharmacy also offers free health consultations with trained staff, in partnership with DKSH. The range of cost is affordable, with many well-known foreign brands stocked in store. The ultimate aim of Help+ Pharmacy is making customers feel comfortable in a reliable place that can cater for individual health and care needs. All products will also be sold online at helplus.co.

322 Monivong Boulevard, Phnom Penh, Tel: 023 210 338.

Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

LEARNING JUNGLE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

EARLY EDUCATION

Learning Jungle International School is the only Canadian Franchise School in Cambodia, it provides the standard quality of early childhood education in a fun and inclusive environment. Top class facilities include a library and computer lap, a fully-equipped science lab, music room, swimming pool, sport and conference hall, and a large playground. The school follows the Canadian Ontatio curriculum, the educational approach focuses on natural interests to guide development through play, sensory learning and social interaction. A Khmer programme is also incorporated into elementary studies. The early programme caters from Kindergarten to Elementary (18 months to 12-years-old), with successful students issued a certificate by Learning Jungle Canada and the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports.

256, Street 598, Phnom Penh. Tel: 095 222 557.

Open Monday to Friday from 7.30am to 4.15pm.

KRISPY KREME DOUGHNUT DELIGHTS American doughnut giant, Krispy Kreme, has landed in the Kingdom amid much excitement. After months of being teased by the site of Krispy Kreme boxes being dished out across the city, the country’s first franchise has opened in BKK1. Offering an assortment of doughnuts, which are baked freshly before customers’ eyes, thanks to an open factory area inside. The signature treat is the original glazed ($1) which melts in the mouth. Additional options include chocolate iced glazed, chocolate iced sprinkles, New York cheesecake and red velvet (all $1.25). While enjoying the tasty doughnuts, hot or iced coffee is available alongside a range of cool drinks, such as Italian sodas, Frozze and fizzy drinks.

217C Street 51, Phnom Penh. Tel: 023 880 880.

Open daily from 7am to 9pm.

12 AsiaLIFE Cambodia

FOREST HILL INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL MONTESSORI DAYCARE Forest Hill International School has opened a new campus for Montessori Daycare in Cambodia. Montessori Daycare is the first international daycare in the capital providing infant and toddler programmes from three-month to three-years-old, when children are transferred to Forest Hill International School, which runs until first grade (six-years-old). The daycare facilitates boast big classrooms where students can learn in a safe and comfortable environment, surrounded by natural light. The programme also offers a range of practical activities for building motor skills.

9A Street 370, Phnom Penh. Tell: 017 388 884/ 095 666 555.

Open Monday to Saturday from 7am to 6pm.

NATACHA VAN COLLECTION FAIRYTALE FASHION With distinctively dreamy and feminine styles, renowned designer Natacha Van has now opened her own boutique in the capital. Having styled the country’s elite, Van, who was artistic director in the country’s first series of Cambodia’s Next Top Model, and her signature fairytale style, cater for wedding dresses, party gowns, as well as every day wear. Using the highest quality materials, imported from London and her home, Hong Kong, her designs use soft, neutral tones, alongside bold black and white numbers. With tailormade dresses costing on average between $450 and $500, with the price of fabric varying, it’s well worth splashing out to be transformed into a princess for the night.

16 Street 114, Phnom Penh. Tel: 088 9889 882.

Open Sunday to Friday from 9am to 5pm. Saturdays by appointment.

KTEAS THNAUT NOODLE THAI EATS Kteas Thnaut Noodle has brought the unique taste of this special Thai soup to Phnom Penh. The restaurant is equipped with wooden table sets and offers a relaxing atmosphere. Signature dishes are noodle soup pork meat and noodle soup beef meat ($2 to $4) served with iced green tea, iced lemon tea, and a range of iced sodas ($1.50). Kteas Thnaut Noodle also serves a delicious meatball and noodles direct from Thailand. Food is served throughout the day, with friendly staff on hand to cater to individual needs.

24 Street 306, Phnom Penh. Tel: 010 697 575.

Open daily from 8am to 8pm.

AsiaLIFE Cambodia 13

JUN BY KATE 2016 BURBRIDGE

BOOST TO PHNOM PENH PRISON YOUNG offenders serving time in Phnom Penh prison are set to get a helping hand in turning their lives around, thanks to a new agreement.

This Life Cambodia, International Committee of the Red Cross, and the General Department of Prisons have signed a Letter of Agreement to bring additional services to 14- to 18-year-olds incarcerated in Correctional Centre 2 (CC2). As part of the partnership, This Life Cambodia will implement the vocational training component of the This Life Beyond Bars programme to provide direct services to juveniles in prison nearing

the end of their sentence and help them re-integrate into society on their release.

This Life Cambodia executive director Billy Gorter says, “By supporting juveniles in prison to develop their existing strengths and abilities, we endeavour to promote sustainable change which, upon release, reduces the likelihood of recidivism and benefits the community at large.”

To date, This Life Cambodia has provided services to 120 juveniles in Siem Reap and Banteay Meanchey Prisons through the This Life Beyond Bars Program. Services for incarcerated juveniles as young as 14, include vocational training, personal

development, family visitation, reintegration support and individual case management.

Deputy director Sen Se says, “We look forward to sharing the good practices that This Life Cambodia has developed over several years to support relevant government agencies to further develop programs for juveniles in prisons across Cambodia".

Reoffending rates of students on the programme sits at just two percent within the first six months of release, and four percent in total. When the programme launched in Siem Reap Prison, 60 percent of juveniles recently released from prison were reoffending within the first six months.

ANGKOR PHOTO FESTIVAL CALL THE hunt is on for Cambodia’s top photographers to take part in Southeast Asia’s longest-running photography event, Angkor Photo Festival and Workshops.

The annual event returns for its 12th outing from Dec. 3 to 10, and submissions are now being accepted for two categories.

And, in a first for the festival, as the landscape of storytelling has evolved with digital technology, multimedia submissions are this year accepted in all categories.

Programme coordinator, Françoise Callier says, “When the right balance between photography, video and audio is found, the strength of the testimony can be further revealed in a more spirited way.”

The Open category accepts work on all issues, while The Impact Project seeks stories on individuals, groups, or small organisations working to make a difference in Cambodia. Submission is free and open to all nationalities. Entries must be received by 5pm on Jun. 15. For more information, visit angkor-photo.com/call- submissions.

The Angkor Photo Workshops is an annual, tuition-free professional workshop aimed at nurturing emerging Asian photographic talent. Each year, 30 participants are selected from across the region to join us in Siem Reap, Cambodia, where they are provided first-hand training and invaluable one-on-one guidance by international professional photographers.

Participants will be expected to complete one photo story each during the workshop, and will be guided by their tutors through all stages – from conceptualising story ideas and refining photographic approach, to improving techniques and the final, important step of picture editing. The aim is to help photographers develop their own unique photographic style and vision.

The workshop is open to photographers of all Asian nationalities, with no age restrictions. Application is free, and submissions must be received by 5pm on Jul. 1. For more information, visit angkor-photo.com/apply-workshops.

OPENING HOURS 11:30am - 11:00pm

HAPPY HOURS 5:00pm - 7:00pm

+855 63 966 986 +855 15 966 986 +855 17 376 038

info@mahobkhmer.com www.mahobkhmer.com 14 AsiaLIFE Cambodia

NEW FREIGHT FLIGHT TURKISH Airlines has launched a weekly direct freight service, connecting the capital with Istanbul.

The new route will fly an Airbus 330, with a capacity to hold 60 tonnes, thanks to the deal between air freight forwarding company GSA-One World Aviation Co Ltd and partners, Turkish Airlines. Turkish Airlines is the fifth airline to offer a direct cargo flight out of Phnom Penh International Airport.

Last month, the service took its first flight, carrying 55 tonnes inbound and 52 tonnes outbound. The majority of

New Record Label

The Ten Bells Music Production record label launched last month at The Ten Bells Bar and Restaurant, Siem Reap.

Monthly artists living, working or passing through Cambodia will showcase their work at The Ten Bells. For many, this will be the first time their material has been played in public.

cargo is destined for the Middle East marketplace. And it is hoped that the freight service will pave the way for passenger operations, directly connecting the two countries next year.

More players are expected to join the market in July, with K Mile and Air-Bridge Cargo, joining the market.

Cambodia Airports data shows that during the first quarter of 2016, more than 863,000 passengers landed at Phnom Penh International Airport, which handled up to 8,500 domestic and international flights.

Car Price Hike

Car prices in the Kingdom are set to rise, thanks to the advent of a raft of new taxes.

The announcement of a new customs duty tax combined with a 10 percent hike in special tax, could see some models of car slapped with extra fees of up to 200 percent. This includes cars on the grey market.

Guest Chef at Raffles

One of the global culinary scene’s rising stars, Erik BrunerYang, is cooking up a storm in Raffles le Royal Hotel’s kitchen.

He will showcase his tapas on Jun. 3 and 4 at the Elephant Bar from noon to 2.30pm and 6pm to 10pm. On Jun. 4, Restaurant le Royal will host brunch ($58) from noon to 3pm.

I Want to Get Married

The latest exhibition to take over Jave Cafe is Srey Bandaul’s I Want to Get Married. Here he uses parody as an artistic tool to confront the complexities of Cambodia’s past, identity, social values and its artistic practices.

The exhibit runs at Java Cafe, Sothearos Boulevard, Phnom Penh until Jun. 30. Free entry.

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*discount only available on individual treatments. Not applicable to packages, beauty treatments and Caudalie treatments

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Despite signs of monsoon season starting, the air remains sticky and temperatures high. Kimchhay Chanry takes a look at the top five Phnom Penh pools to cool off at. Photography by Lim Sokchanlina.

16 AsiaLIFE Cambodia

Villa Langka Villa Langka’s intimate pool offers the perfect setting to escape the heat. With an array of seating, from sun loungers to comfy cushioned beds, on offer, this boutique hotel is a popular spot with expats at weekends so finding a bed can be tricky. Avoiding the sun is easy, with the 6- by 12-metre pool and seating sitting in the dappled shade of the thick foliage in the grounds. Situated next to Wat Langka on quiet Street 282, it’s easy to forget the hustle and bustle of Phnom Penh outside. Outside visitors are welcome at the pool from Monday to Saturday, with Sundays being reserved for hotel guests. Use of the pool is $8, which can be spent on food and drinks. And with a lengthy menu of delicious dishes to choose from, including salads, pizza, eight flavours of ice cream and cocktails, enjoying a poolside snack is all too tempting.

Raffles Le Royal Hotel

Street 282, next to Wat Langka. Tel: 023 726 771.

Indulge in some luxury lazing next to the pool at Raffles.

Steeped in history, the hotel, which has been serving the capital since 1929, boasts a spacious pool to the back of the building.

Sophisticated sun loungers, complete with a bell to catch the waiter’s attention, can be positioned to sit under the shade of the surrounding manicured tropical foliage or below the blazing heat. And the calm of the poolside is the perfect place for guests to enjoy some of the spa treatments on offer. With two pools to cater for children and adults, they are open to outside guests from 7am to 7pm, and come with a price tag of $20 or $10 for children on weekdays, and $30 or $15 for children at weekends.

The cost includes access to the hotel’s gym facilities, and complementary water, sun cream, sunglasses cleaning and back massage. Guests can also enjoy the food and drink on offer from the restaurant. Raffles also holds various poolside event and film screenings in the neighbouring garden.

92 Rukhak Vithei, near Wat Phnom. Tel: 023 981 888.

Samsara Villa For the ultimate getaway without actually getting away, head to Samsara Villa. Nestled down an inconspicuous alley at the north end of Street 63, Samsara offers a slice of tranquility amid the capital’s chaos. The 7- by 12.5-metre pool is surrounded by deck chairs and colourful tropical gardens. A day outing costs $5 to outside guests, which includes a free drink. Availability to those not staying there depends on how busy the hotel is so it’s advisable to call ahead at weekends. As well as seating in the sun, there is a spacious, open reception area with plenty of tables and chairs to enjoy some of the food up for grabs. Service takes in breakfast, lunch and dinner, with food available from 7am to 10pm. Drinks include fruit juices ($1.50 to $3.50), wine ($3) and cocktails ($4).

43Z5 Street 466. Tel: 023 219 136.

AsiaLIFE Cambodia 17

National Olympic Stadium Designed by renowned Cambodian architect, Van Molyvann, the Olympic Stadium may not sit on the sumptuous end of Phnom Penh’s swimming pool spectrum, but it definitely deserves to sit in the top five. This architectural gem is popular with locals, as well acting as the training and competing ground for the national swimming team – this means it is closed to the public during events. The smaller pool has a diving board and is 8-metres deep, while the larger 50- by 25-metre pool does not. While this isn’t the ideal location to laze by the pool, it is cheap – $1 for locals and $2 for foreigners – and suits the more serious swimmers wanting to push themselves in an Olympic-sized pool.

Seating lines the pool, which is open from 5am to 4pm Monday to Friday and 5am to 5.30pm on Saturday. There are changing rooms available but no lockers.

National Olympic Stadium, Charles de Gaulle Boulevard.

Patio Hotel Sun-worshippers should head straight to Patio’s rooftop pool for some sophisticated baking overlooking the city below. Sat on the seventh floor, the stylish pool offers limited sun-lounging space with just a handful of well-designed loungers jutting into the deep blue water. The views are worth the $10 fee, with the infinity pool offering stunning sights across Wat Langka, Independence Monument and out to the Tonle Sap and Mekong River convergence. With access to the sunbeds across a block walkway that seemingly hovers above the shimmering water, the pool is also home to frangipani trees and soothing mirrorlike waterfalls. Smoothies, cocktails, wine, a range of beers and Asian cuisine are also offered from the Elephant in the Kitchen restaurant, which sits below, but are not included in the cost of swimming. The pool is open from 6.30am to 11pm – get there early to snag a sunbed.

134Z Street 51. Tel: 023 997 900.

18 AsiaLIFE Cambodia

D AY IN THE LIFE

“W A DAY IN THE LIFE OF SEA RAKSMEY

By Kimchhay Chanry. Photo by Charles Fox.

20 AsiaLIFE Cambodia

riting movie scripts is my passion, and I’ve loved doing it since I was still young,” says Sea Raksmey with a smile. “I love how writing movies is, and I am a kind of romantic person. I used to think that among my four siblings, I would bring a big achievement and make my parents be proud of me.”

Sitting confidently, the 26-year-old reveals how she crams penning films in between studying and her full time job. “I wake up early to do housework,” she says. “But if I have an idea about how one of my stories will be, I grab a pen and note it down.”

At 8am, she goes to work at Rock Entertainment Production where she is sales and marketing manager, working as part of the management team. With an unstructured schedule depending on her clients, Sea spends her days attending meetings, breaking for a rest at noon before finishing at about 5.30pm.

But her day is far from over, with driven Sea spending her evenings studying for her MBA [Masters of Business Administration] at Norton University before returning home to enjoy dinner with her family, and getting back to the scripts she started at dawn.

Whenever she is hit with writer’s block, or during some rare downtime, Sea’s mind is never far from her art, with her scouring books and watching films to source inspiration. During my writing, I do a lot of research and watch as many dramas as I can to build good ideas in my script,” she says.

However, the stresses and strains of daily life at times take their toll on Sea, despite her determination to succeed. “Sometimes I feel isolated from some of my friends because of being very busy,” she says, adding that any short breaks are spent in the provinces to clear her mind.

In February 2015, Sea secured her big break when she saw her first script come to life with romantic comedy, You’re My Memory, hit Cambodia’s big screens. “This allowed me to figure out how to be more popular for my next drama,” she says. “Cambodian writers need to strengthen the quality of movies and its concept to educate young people, and to raise awareness of common problems.

This was followed up with the January national release of My Junior, My Crush, a romantic drama that follows orphans Choronay and Songha. Here, Sea, who spends about three months perfecting her scripts, also helped the director with pre- and post-production. The film proved to be a hit with audiences, with Sea’s work being recognised across the country. “I have accepted seven to eight interviews already,” she says with a laugh.

Despite teetering on the brink of film-making fame, Sea notes that often the script-writer is forgotten by audiences, in place of the actors who bring the words to life. “The public does not seem to give much value to the writer,” she says, adding that many films are made without meaning and “just to earn money without thinking of its quality and development”.

Sea is currently working on her next film, Ak Phi Ni Ha, which means magic in Khmer, and hopes to continue well into the future.

“I want to take my hobby much further,” she says, adding she dreams that one-day scriptwriting will be her full-time occupation.

Dog Rescue A two-year-old German shepherd is recovering after rescuing a sevenyear-old girl when she was confronted by a rattlesnake in Florida.

nd drinks m ad e f r o m t h e F o od a

Double Jackpot A New York construction worker who won $1m on a scratchcard in 2012 has struck the $1m jackpot again.

Supercab Costing $500 for 90 minutes, passengers can now hail a Lamborghini – the first supercar to be given a private hire cab licence in the UK. Doggy Paddle A Jack Russell terrier who fell overboard in the Gulf of Mexico was rescued off the Florida coast after swimming for nearly three hours.

Grave Mystery DNA from Leonardo da Vinci's paintings could be used to digitally recreate his face and confirm where he was buried after his death.

GOING UP GOING DOWN Shock Spending Big spenders are in for a shock with the launch of a bracelet that gives its wearer a mild 255-volt shock when they go overdrawn.

Mortarboard Ban The tradition of throwing mortarboards into the air after graduation has been banned by a British university on health and safety grounds.

Shark Attack A woman went to hospital with a 2ft nurse shark attached to her arm after it bit her while she was swimming in South Florida.

Doggy Bag Tennis star Serena Williams has revealed she made herself ill after eating dog food before storming into the Italian Open quarter-final.

Weasel Trouble A weasel caused a "severe electrical perturbation" after biting through a wire powering the $5.4 billion Hadron Collider machine.

AsiaLIFE Cambodia 21

Photo Essay

THE QUEEN MOTHER: GUARDIAN OF THE HERITAGE OF THE KING FATHER NORODOM SIHANOUK

by Ambassador Julio A. Jeldres

The Queen Mother visiting a factory in Somalia (1975) 22 AsiaLIFE Cambodia

H

er Majesty the Queen Mother Norodom Monineath Sihanouk of Cambodia celebrates her 80th birthday anniversary on Jun. 18. An 80th birthday is a significant milestone for anyone but in the case of Her Majesty the Queen Mother, it commemorates an eventful life, closely linked to Cambodia’s contemporary history, with its happy times as well as the sad.

yet she has remained resolute in her loyalty, devotion and commitment to the late King Father Norodom Sihanouk, Preah Borom Ratanak Kaudh, and to Cambodia and her people. Throughout her life, Her Majesty has shown great dignity blessed with a common touch. As a result, national attention has often been focused upon her during occasions of both grief and celebration.

There is no doubt that the Cambodia and the world in which Her Majesty grew up in has changed beyond recognition.

Yet she has always shown a remarkable steadfastness and strength; remaining a figure of reassuring calm and dignity, indeed an example of dedication to duty and devotion to the people of Cambodia in a region besieged with conflict.

The country continues to confront the troubled legacy of its recent past as it strives to compete in today’s era of haste, stress and greed. At times like this, there is reassurance in contemplating the Queen Mother, who moves with the gracious confidence of the old Cambodia. The Queen Mother’s dignified style always exemplifies the grace and beauty of the Cambodian national dress.

Age has not dimmed Her Majesty’s effervescence nor diminished her remarkable achievements. During her life, the Queen Mother has survived war and social upheaval,

Here are some highlights from the Queen Mother’s extraordinary life.

The Queen Mother and a Filipino guest (1960s)

The Queen Mother and King Father welcoming Jacqueline Kennedy to Cambodia (November, 1967) AsiaLIFE Cambodia 23

The Queen Mother (2006) 24 AsiaLIFE Cambodia

The Royal couple enjoying music and singing

The Queen Mother visiting Cambodian refugees at the Thai-Cambodian border (1983)

The Queen Mother and Madame Chirac, wife of former French President, in Paris (1996) AsiaLIFE Cambodia 25

YULIA KHOURI As CEO of INNOV8 Group and a staunch advocate for animal rights and rescue, Yulia Khouri has been recruited to the ranks of Wildlife Alliance as the NGOs first ambassador. AsiaLIFE finds out more. Photography by Charles Fox.

How did you become involved with WA?

I have been a supporter of WA for about four years. I first learned about them when I rescued an orphaned infant macaque while vacationing on Koh Rong. Charlie lost his mum and the troop when loggers killed them for meat.

While fostering Charlie for over eight months, we were looking for a more permanent solution for this gorgeous macaque.

We teamed up with WA and donated the funds we raised at fashion shows Glamazon 2 and 3 – more than $11,000 – to build a large enclosure for Charlie at Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Centre, where Charlie and other macaques – some of which we rescued later – now live. My relationship with WA grew stronger exponentially. I have been a huge admirer of their bravery and tenacity in such difficult, and often unappreciated, work.

What does your role as WA ambassador involve?

This year, I officially teamed up with WA as their ambassador and spokesperson in order to

26 AsiaLIFE Cambodia

use my role as a businesswoman in Cambodia to raise awareness, and hopefully get support from my fellow business leaders. I will be the voice and the eyes of WA to those who might not hear or see the impact of their work on a daily basis. As I travel to witness WA projects and follow the heroes into the jungle and forests, I will recount what I personally see. I would like to be able to tell the story of the brave work they do daily and also show the real tangible results to the business and civil community. I hope to create an interest in supporting WA so that, in strong partnership with the government, civil society, business sector and youth, we can build a better, stronger, greener Cambodia.

What are the main issues that WA faces in Cambodia?

The primary issue is ongoing natural habitat loss and thus, the alarming rates of disappearance of many endangered species, such as Asian elephants, beautiful clouded leopards, Langurs, Asian palm civets, pangolins, slow loris and sunbears.

While certainly, Cambodia is not the only country to face environmental devastation, it is one of the leading countries in the loss of natural forests.

Slowing down the rates of deforestation is not an easy task, but WA is working closely with the government in preventing further environmental damage.

I personally applaud this effort of cooperation as I believe the cooperation of all key actors

is vital. I do not think pointing the fingers or blame-game is constructive; the only way to success is cooperation and transparent dialogue and action.

As a businesswoman, how do these two worlds come together?

In my "previous life" I had a career in the NGO secto. As such, I personally have seen that business and non-profit are intricately interdependent, especially when long-term sustainability of both is analysed; without the important work of NGOs, a country’s development is slow and business operations are either short-lived or often difficult.

Likewise, without the backing of businesses, NGOs often cannot continue their projects. All businesses must have strong and well-developed social corporate responsibility programmes.

I also feel that as expats, we must actively participate in building the country where we operate, building positive relationships with all the key actors and empowering those who work in development, nurturing the community effort and creating an atmosphere of strong cooperation. Being a spokeswoman for WA is another aspect of the unique marriage between my own passion for animals, the environment and INNOV8's business strategy in the country.

What role can businesses play in the aid world?

Of course, financial support is the key. Without necessary funding, development

programmes cannot be sustained; no NGO can run on goodwill alone. However, let me remind my colleagues in the business sector that if your company's budgets are tight, there is a tangible alternative: businesses can always lend their skills, expertise, vision and products to the NGO sector. For instance, INNOV8 offers in-kind support to development projects, such as building IT systems and mobile apps, running awareness campaigns or datagathering and analysis to assist our beneficiaries. I believe if there is a will, there are always creative ways to offer support in many forms, not just cash.

What do you hope to achieve with WA in the next year?

My goal is to create stronger business participation and increase the awareness of WA and its projects. Supporting the rescue and rehabilitation of endangered species, habitat restoration, re-forestation – these are very important "noncontroversial" projects that play a vital role in preserving the beauty of Cambodian flora and fauna. I hope that by the end of 2016 we have achieved some level of increased awareness and cooperation with the business community.

I am also teaching a graduate class at university this term and as a spokesperson for WA, I plan to help students design a set of positive media campaigns to showcase the beauty of Cambodia and the importance of preserving its environment and wildlife.

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28 AsiaLIFE Cambodia

For newcomers, landing in the frenzy of the Kingdom can be overwhelming. Thankfully, AsiaLIFE has you covered for a smooth arrival, with a guide to everything from finding good friends to securing a home. Writing by Joanna Mayhew. Photography by Lucas Veuve.

AsiaLIFE Cambodia 29

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oving to exotic Cambodia – with its picturesque pagodas, eclectic eats and captivating culture – may sound romantic to the friends and family that expats leave at home, but the reality upon arriving is often very different.

Starting from exiting at the airport, newcomers are blasted with the country’s warm temperatures and dusty, crowded streets. “My first impressions were, ‘Oh my god this place is crazy, and it’s really hot’,” says Olivia Hough, 24, who transplanted to the capital from England in January.

“Overwhelmed is the best way to describe it.”

Followed soon after can be frustrations with the language barrier, alarm caused by the seeming lack of traffic rules, bouts of sickness from a host of tropical ailments and other unanticipated stresses. “First impression – concrete chaos,” adds Karen Myrene, who moved with her husband and three kids at the beginning of the year. “We moved from Norway where we had the fjords in front of us, the mountains behind and the forest beside us. Suddenly we had cars and motorbikes everywhere, people everywhere and noises everywhere.”

Yet despite first appearances, life in Cambodia has its many advantages – and can make for a rewarding long-term home. But starting out right will go a long way in accomplishing this.

Setting Up

For those making the move to the Kingdom, universal basic needs – such as shelter and food – are a good place to begin. Finding housing is often the primary concern for anybody moving to a new city, let alone a foreign land.

“The realisation that I now live in Asia, and don’t know where I’m going to live yet was a bit terrifying,” says Hough, adding she made the mistake of not even having a hotel room booked for the first night. “You feel a bit vulnerable, because you don’t know the place.”

Luckily, the housing market – particularly in Phnom Penh – is booming, with rental options to cater to a variety of preferences. “There is an apartment for everyone’s budget,” says Independent Property Services (IPS) general manager Grant Fitzgerald, adding that two bedrooms start from $550 to $2,800. The city also boasts a nice range of Western-renovated Khmer apartments, as well as French colonial apartments, he says.

The easiest way to find a house or apartment is working through an estate agent, such as IPS, Expert Realty

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and Elevated Realty, at no cost to the tenant. “Using a professional makes the renting process here much easier and will save you from future headaches,” says Fitzgerald.

Particularly for shared homes, Facebook groups can also assist with the house search. Phnom Penh Housing lists sublets and short- and long-term stays, as does Siem Reap Real Estate. However, beware that with the growing market, prices can range greatly, and take the time to do adequate research.

Fitzgerald recommends keeping a keen eye out for construction or potential construction, as many tenants are currently breaking their leases due to unbearable noise, and carefully checking contract details, such as electricity rates and included services. Whereas some countries in the region necessitate large up-front payments from renters, such as Indonesia and Myanmar that require a year in advance, in Cambodia you simply need a passport and usually one- or two-month deposit.

Using the Facebook page, it took Hough only five days to find a home. “It’s such a

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transient place. There’s always someone moving out,” says the Brit.

Beyond housing, getting oriented and securing a basic setup causes stress if not approached strategically.

Apartments can come prefurnished, and setting up a house is made easier with numerous furniture options on offer. In Phnom Penh, Sothearos Boulevard has a hodgepodge of low-cost rattan stores, which will also make custom couches and dressers. And stores such as Beyond, Alchemy Design Co. and Indulge Interiors cater to higher-end tastes. On Facebook page Phnom Penh Buy and Sell, browsers can secure items, from the most basic to the bizarre, on sale.

For stocking the fridge, there is a range of easy and expensive to exciting and economic approaches.

Supermarkets Lucky, Thai Huot and Bayon have international products at a premium; neighbourhood marts such as Russian Market’s popular Angkor Mart sell mid-range Asian and Western items; and burgeoning specialty stores offer organic produce. But the most rewarding buys can be found while navigating through the narrow passageways of

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the country’s markets – though with raw meat hanging from large hooks, this is not for the faint hearted.

To get around, cheap transport options abound in the capital, with foreigners usually unable to take more than a few steps before being swarmed by tuk tuks and motodops. Though crime in the Kingdom is low, women in particular need to beware of bag snatchings while on the roads. For those brave enough to drive a motorbike themselves, Cambodian licenses are no longer required for small motos, but note that other laws have also recently changed, with higher penalties for transgressions, such as riding without a helmet.

Settling In

Once the dust has cleared on initial transitions into Cambodia, newcomers can focus their energy on plugging into the daily grind of work.

While previously expat jobs focused on development work, there is now a wide array of business, technology and education opportunities.

Increasingly, foreigners are migrating to the Kingdom without a job secured – choosing instead to explore options once in country.

For these, websites such as Bong Thom (bongthom. com), Relief Web (reliefweb. int) and Cambodia-jobs. com are a good resource for the latest opportunities.

And associations, including BritCham and AmCham, offer regular networking events.

In addition, co-working spaces provide an opportunity for the jobless to make connections, and for the growing number of freelancers to have an office. “The concept of [a] co-working space is rapidly spreading in the city and beyond,” says Alberto Cremonesi, co-founder of Impact HUB Phnom Penh, a co-working space that provides mentoring and training for social ventures. “In a dynamic co-working space, connections happen all the time – people meet, talk, start new businesses together.”

Cremonesi adds that it also provides a social dimension for newcomers, to meet friends and join events, and that he has seen many members secure employment as a result of contacts in these spaces.

For those with kids, settling in brings with it different priorities. While Myrene and her husband had lived with their children in the Philippines, she says they still had to weigh the

repercussions of moving for their kids, aged four to eightyears-old. “We [had] to think about how their lives would be so different here,” she says.

“Issues of safety and freedom mainly.” Though adjusting to a new culture can be difficult for kids, Myrene holds it can also be rewarding. “Our boys will gain a perspective that will shape their lives now and in the future. They will appreciate multi-cultures, learn the importance of thriving in a different environment [and] learn empathy in building friendships and relationships.”

Parents also need to think through practical aspects, such as schooling options.

Myrene and her husband opted for Christian school Hope International. Other expat-friendly options in the capital include Northbridge International on the high end (nearly $19,000 per year for grades 11 and 12), followed by non-profit International School of Phnom Penh (ages three through grade 12) and iCAN British International School.

One advantage to life in Cambodia, particularly for those managing a family, is the low-cost of house help, including nannies, cleaners and cooks. Socially conscious company, Maid in Cambodia, is

an easy way to get connected with reliable and highly-skilled cleaners. For nannies and cooks, advertisements are often posted on list serves Cambodia Parent Network or the International Christian Fellowship’s InfoFlow, a weekly noticeboard. Otherwise, newcomers can rely on the old-fashioned approach of getting recommendations from long-termers.

Deepening Roots

Perhaps more important than how to arrive well is how to stay well. As with anywhere, the best ways to do this are to get connected – with both Cambodians and other expats – ensure you have support networks, and plug into exactly what’s happening.

“Having really good friendship groups is what would make me feel at home somewhere, or at least relaxed and happy with my life,” says Hough. She found that despite the huge number of expats, it took her longer than expected to find reliable friends. “That was probably the hardest part.”

For singles such as Hough, finding good housemates can be a gateway into meeting others, as degrees of separation are relatively few.

Newcomers can also get connected through work,

sports - with rugby, netball, Australian Football League, ultimate frisbee and even dodgeball happening – or through the swathe of other events, such as salsa dancing, life-drawing, Nerd Night, yoga classes and at the city’s many international churches.

Beyond helping make local friends, learning Khmer will pay off regardless of whether you are staying in the Kingdom long- or short-term. While in Phnom Penh, foreigners can mostly get by using English, or at least a handful of creative hand gestures, investment in the language is still helpful in understanding Cambodia’s context and being a respectful guest. Tutors can be enlisted for as low as $5 per hour, or learners can sign up in groups at Khmer Friends or for courses at the Royal University of Phnom Penh.

Logistically, staying also requires valid visas. For added ease, it’s best to work through travel agents to secure extensions. (In Phnom Penh, helpful outlets can be found on streets 278 and 240.) Foreigners also need to be aware of the recent crackdowns on work permits, and liaise with employers to ensure these are adequately arranged and in place.

Those in the capital will be

pleasantly surprised by the myriad of activities occurring each week, not to mention a plethora of cool restaurants and bars opening their doors.

“The social scene is really good,” says Hough, adding she has attended diverse events encompassing everything from live drawing, ukulele circles and documentary screenings.

Phnom Penh is also small enough that happenings in the city are easy to keep abreast of and attend.

Child-friendly activities can be a bit harder to come by.

“There isn’t much for kids that doesn’t cost quite a bit of money,” says Myrene, adding they prefer the outdoors to indoor play centres and hope to explore the countryside. In Phnom Penh, Kids City offers novelty indoor climbing, laser tag and a toddler play centre, Monkey Business boasts a large children’s playground and swimming pool, Phnom Climb indoor climbing gym caters for birthday parties for kids age six and up, and Wat Botum Park has an impressive – and free – playground. If all else fails, AEON Mall provides an airconditioned escape for parents needing to cool off.

Even when following the best of guides to prepare, such as the highly popular Move to Cambodia book

and blog (movetocambodia. com), expats can struggle to make the drastic adjustment from their home countries to Southeast Asia, and this is often heightened by isolation.

Seeing a professional can help in the process, and Phnom Penh-based Indigo International offers counselling for everything from anxiety and stress to trauma. Or, if it is just a simple dose of homesickness, the city’s evergrowing repertoire of Western chains – Krispy Kreme, Burger King, Carl’s Jr., Coldstone Creamery and Starbucks – can give a helpful taste of home.

But despite possible bumpy beginnings, many foreigners end up happy to have made the move, and are quickly captivated by the country’s charm. After just three months, Hough extended her stay from six months to a year. “That says a lot. You kind of fall in love with Cambodia.” Adds Myrene, “We have so much to experience living here.”

Overall, even given the differing context, life in Cambodia is much the same – with work, play and wifi access.

“It won’t be as mad a move as you might think. Everything will work out,” says Hough.

“People are lovely; the place is cool. You’re going to have a good time.”

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Amrita Performing Arts is showcasing its sixth dance platform this month. Ahead of its premiere, Kate Sutherland got a sneak peek of what’s in store. Photography by Charles Fox.

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ocated behind Circus Hall and next to the Kite Museum, Amrita dancers and choreographers are deeply focused on rehearsing their creative works-in-progress. The humidity doesn’t seem to faze them, as six dancers leap across the stage in perfect synchronisation. They rehearse without music, but the sequences are not lacking in drama, or theatrical effects.

Dancers pound the mats with force, jump, scream and shout – then float, fly and sway.

The dance ensembles pay homage to traditional Cambodian dance, while exploring the present through a contemporary lens. The set is simple: mirrors, black drapery, a lap top and fans; the quaint surroundings reflect the raw social themes portrayed. Feelings of anger, fear, loss, perseverance, ambition and love are all conveyed through dance.

Preparing for their sixth platform performance this month, Amrita Performing Art's dancers and choreographers have been rehearsing for more six weeks now. While practicing the two creative works-in-progress, AsiaLife was given a sneak preview to see how contemporary and classical dance can work in harmony together.

One of the dance ensembles to premiere at the beginning of June is Departure, choreographed by Chankethya Chey. During rehearsal, Chey shouts, “Open”, and the lights come on. “Close” and they are immediately dimmed. She plays with lighting to enhance and emphasise moods and scenes throughout, while delivering a show rich in dance technique and a storyline of daily struggles.

Taking a break from rehearsals, Chey says, “The dancers at Amrita continue to evolve. We have done workshops with internationally renowned directors and choreographers from across the world, but we continue to explore our own creative and physical limits as well.”

The platform performances allow dancers to showcase Cambodian talent, with the hope to encourage other local artists to create original work.

“We are ready to teach others about our own style, and we believe Cambodia should be represented on an international platform like many others,” says Chey.

The more recent performances have attracted

more interest from young Cambodians, and Amrita bosses see this as solid evidence of success.

“This is a big positive for us,” Chey adds. “The Cambodian youth are curious. They may not understand it, on the other hand they will ask more questions. There will be more discussion, more research, and this is important. In Cambodia, we are used to understanding everything, but if we really look at our lives we don’t. To have some doubt is a good thing.”

The second show is directed

by Ratana Chy, a 27-year-old dancer from Phnom Penh, whose expertise and classical training was completed at the Royal University of Fine Arts in 2007. Chy studied the Ramayana “masked” dance before joining the group of artists at Amrita and learning about contemporary dance.

He says, “The masked male dance is more about telling a story than expressing your personal opinions.” Often dressed up as a monkey or a character from religious tales, dancers explore the battle between good and evil, which are relevant social themes in daily life today. However, Chy says, “Both genres of dance require a different approach.

Contemporary dance allows me to be myself and it has to come from within.” This will be his first time showing his choreography work at a platform performance, and he believes in a give-andtake approach when working with his dancers. “When I choreograph, I don’t just tell

the dancers what to do. I ask them a question and I ask them to think about it and answer it with their body.” His finished piece, Somewhere, is designed for two dancers and will last about 16 minutes in total.

Interacting with new dancers, each platform allows the performances to remain unique, vibrant, and evolved from the previous. The performances are a chance for Amrita to tackle artistic development, but also to focus on audience development as well. “As important as it is to create, it is equally important to have people witness those creations,” says Chey. “We want to engage with the audience and share something with them. We think we have a responsibility of introducing contemporary dance to the community. We want to entertain but we want to convey a message also.”

If the creative works-inprogress were any indication of what the performances will master on opening night, audiences can expect an emotional and touching reaction from both works of art. From ministry officials to foreigners and to the young Cambodian generation, Amrita Performing Arts aims to share its creations with the world.

The platform performances can be seen on Jun. 3 and 4 at 7pm at the Department of Performing Arts in Phnom Penh. For more information on the organisation, visit amritaperformingarts.org.

AsiaLIFE Cambodia 35

ALL ABOARD

With the reinstatement of the country’s only passenger train proving popular, editor Marissa Carruthers talks to the man spearheading plans to get the railroad back on track.

Photography by Lucas Veuve.

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crowd of people gather on the pristine platform, eager to board the restored train that waits to transport them from the capital to the coast, stopping off at a handful of destinations on the way.

A successful stint during test runs, which ran throughout Khmer New Year and saw ticketless hopefuls turned away on its inaugural trip, set the wheels in motion for a new era of passenger trains in Cambodia, which were halted in 2002 due to the derelict state of the lines.

Last month, Royal Railway, which operates the service under a 30-year concession, announced the passenger service on the 266-kilometre Southern Line was to become a permanent weekend fixture, with Prime Minister Hun Sen taking the eight-hour journey to officially declare it open.

While it still needs to stand the test of time, the novelty is far from wearing thin, with ticket sales remaining high, and the country’s rich and famous clamouring for a slice of the rail road action.

“We received a call from the Royal Palace,” says Royal Railway CEO, John Guiry speaking from a plush office at the restored Royal Railway Station in Phnom Penh, just days after Prime Minister Hun Sen took to the tracks. “He is keen to take a trip on it, so we can’t say no.”

Restoration work started in 2010 with the engines, which were brought back to life using a team of international experts.

The original carriages were revamped to modern standards and divided into two classes: regular coach class, which is cooled by fans, and upmarket VIP wagons boasting AC and Western toilets. Endless hours were spent repairing, fine-tuning and testing the undercarriage.

Last year, Royal Railway

launched its freight business connecting the ports of Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville. Then, following a successful ASEAN conference in October, plans were put in motion to revive the passenger service.

With safety as paramount, a series of test journeys were run to ensure a safe passage before the first passenger train in more than a decade rolled out of Phnom Penh on Apr. 7. The service continued to the end of Khmer New Year – a notorious time for fatal traffic accidents.

“During Khmer New Year, everyone takes to the roads and there is a rise in accidents,” says Guiry. “We wanted to help reduce this by taking vehicles off the road so it seemed the perfect time to run a trial.”

The news created a ripple of excitement in the capital, with tickets for the inaugural trip on the five carriages fit for up to 400 people sold out a week before it set off.

“We were turning people away,” says Guiry, adding that the train ran at 80 to 90 percent capacity for the full route to Sihanoukville. It was such as success that the government requested it become a permanent fixture at weekends.

Travelling at the snail’s pace of 33km/h, the journey costs $6 and takes eight hours – two to three hours longer than by road. But, railway bosses plan on tinkering with the timetable – the train currently waits for lengthy periods at stations – to shave some time off the journey.

However, the train offers a tranquil alternative to treacherous Highway 4.

Stopping at several rural locations along the way, as well as Kampot, it clatters through the country’s tranquil countryside, taking in karst hills around Tuk Meas and Kompong Trach, Bokor Mountain and the stunning stretch of coast from Veal Renh, Stung Hau and on to the final station of Sihanoukville.

“Locals have really taken to it,” says Guiry, who adds the fact that motorbikes and cars can also be loaded onto the train has helped push business.

Soa Chantha, 19, took the train with her siblings to visit relatives in Takeo. “This is the second time in my life that I have used the train,” she says.

“It’s much more comfortable than getting the bus or riding a moto. It’s good that we now have the chance to try the train in Cambodia.”

A sixth carriage is currently being constructed, and when complete, will mean more frequent services. And there are future hopes that Royal Railway will extend the line further to connect with other parts of the country. Unfortunately the dilapidated Northern Line, which runs from Phnom Penh to Sisophon, needs major work to repair the tracks before this leg of the line can be used.

“I came here with the aim of breathing new life into the railway and that’s exactly what we’ve done,” says Guiry.

For timetables, visit royalrailway.com.

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FILM FOR THE FUTURE From being scavengers on a dump site to launching their own film production company, a group of talented young Cambodians are forging their futures. Words by Marissa Carruthers; photography by Charles Fox.

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he future was unthinkable for the young boys toiling on the capital’s dump sites. Days were spent rummaging through the piles of rubbish offloaded there daily. The only thing racing through their minds was how to survive that day.

“Life was very hard,” says Phan Ream, 22, recalling his grueling scavenger days trying to support his family in the only way he knew how. After being taken in by NGO Cambodia Children’s Fund (CCF), Phan and four pals were introduced to Patrick McKinlay, a Scotsman who was then working as the organisation’s donor relations manager.

Spotting their creative flair and passion to carve a path for their futures, he selffunded, with the help of others, a 13-week basic filmmaking course, run by charity Azizza “The course was short but even I could see that it had awakened some real latent talent,” says McKinlay. “That's when the first thoughts that this could be developed as something the guys might build on for the sake of their own futures.”

Determined to transform their lives and utilise their newly-found skills, the group set about launching their own film production company, devising business plans and strategies, and securing funding to invest in essential equipment and office space to get them off the ground. “At the time, we were from the dump sites and

were very poor,” says business manager Lim Sokhay, 22.

“The NGO provided us with an education and we felt we were ready to work and support our family. We were all interested in the media industry so we came together and decided to start our own business. It was something we’d always wanted to do.”

With the backing of McKinlay and Soung Sopheak, former CCF head of art and drama, OnePlus Media was launched in January with a five-year, no-interest loan to buy the equipment for their hightech editing suite and movie-making.

Under the deal, no repayments are due until after one year of operations. The repaid loans will then being used to fund similar opportunities for underprivileged youngsters. “We never imagined we would be doing this,” says Phan, “so we want to eventually be able to give something back and help others who are in situations like we were.”

“These young people all had very hard lives, some as scavengers on a rubbish dump, but they had real enthusiasm and ability,” adds Soung who continues to act as the company’s advisor. “Since then they have created and produced many short films as well as a whole range of high quality work.”

Business is already booming for Phan, Lim, Sokha Mengly, Voun Boren and Va

Chenda, who specialise in commercials, event and promotional videos and film production and editing. To date, they have worked on travel projects, filmed motorbike tours across the country’s roughest terrain, and created hard-hitting documentaries and light-hearted dramas, tackling topics as diverse as dog-loving gangsters to bullying in a Karate class.

“This is what we love doing; it’s our passion,” says Va, 22, sitting in front of a Mac working on the company’s latest project in the cool, soundproofed editing suite in their Phnom Penh office near Street 51. “It has been difficult and we have learned a lot – we still are – we are very grateful to everyone who has helped us, and want to be able to help others eventually too.”

McKinlay says he escaped a life destined to be a factory labourer in his native Scotland through joining the military eventually to become a squadron leader in the RAF. “That's all I want to do here; give others, the OnePlus gang, the same sort of utterly unpredictable opportunities that I got so their lives can open up and their own abilities and effort shape their future,” he says. “All I want from them is that they do the same for others in their turn. Pass it on. That's what good luck is for.”

For more information, visit 1plusmedia. com.

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A GAY WEEKEND AWAY Since neighbouring Vietnam abolished a ban on gay marriage in 2015, there has been a rise in LGBT tourists visiting the country from Cambodia and further afield. By Lorcan Lovett. Photography by Vinh Dao.

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s a gay Hanoian, 33-year-old Nguyen Anh Tuan has noticed an increase in LGBT visitors to Vietnam during the past few years and, being of the Vietnamese entrepreneurial spirit, he saw an opportunity and grabbed it.

There was a chance to bring gay travellers together and provide them with a tour guide that would make their experiences in the country more comfortable. “Just like French tourists would like a tour guide that speaks their language and understands them,” Nguyen explains, drawing comparisons..

He launched Gay Hanoi Tours in 2014 and since then there’s been an annual growth of 30 percent in the business, while group bookings have gone up by 10 percent per year.

There are no official figures of LGBT tourists travelling to Vietnam, although people in Tuan’s field have acknowledged a definite rise aided by a bolster in the country’s reputation among the global LGBT community.

This is partly due to the Communist Party abolishing a ban on same-sex marriage, which came into effect on Jan. 1, 2015. Gay marriages still do not have the same rights as those of straight couples, whose marriages are protected by laws dictating rights to assets.

But the progressive change helped attract 700 customers to Tuan’s tours last year. He says 70 percent were gay clientele, 15 percent were women who felt more at ease among gay people, and 15 percent were straight people referred by their gay friends.

“The recent changes have had an impact by just putting Vietnam in the news 40 AsiaLIFE Cambodia

in a positive light and illustrating how welcoming to all the country is,” says Tuan.

“This has caused more people to know about our culture and history. which has led to more people coming.”

The tours take in “real everyday Hanoi amid the chaos”, he adds, as well as “off the beaten track” locations. “I hear from clients that they have ‘done the other countries’ and now want to explore somewhere new,” he says. “I feel that there is a growing market and potential but it is up to the industry and the country as well as individuals to make sure that everyone who comes, leaves with a positive view of my country, as well as the urge to come back and explore more.”

While same sex marriages are not recognised in Cambodia, the country is tolerant towards the community, with dedicated gay and gay-friendly bars, hotels and eateries found across Phnom Penh. Last month also welcomed the annual LGBT Pride Cambodia, which launched in 2004.

Many countries across the world debate gay marriage and the acceptance of the LGBT community in the context of the church. For Vietnam, which is relatively unmarred by religion, the heated discussions take place in the family home.

The latest survey from NGO Institute for Society, Economy and Environment (ISEE), reveals more than a third of Vietnam’s gay population is closeted. “The younger they are, the more open they are with their sexuality,” says ISEE’s LGBT rights programme manager, Luong The Huy. Luong says one of the fears of coming out is because of discrimination from those closest to the person. “It is not usual to get attacked by strangers or when you

are walking in the street, but it is quite common to have violence from members of the family if they find out that you are LGBT,” he says.

“A lot of people face struggles and discrimination from members of their own family. The situation is changing now because the social attitude is getting more and more accepting. There is more discussion on LGBT rights; equality is happening on social media, in the press and in everyday life.”

Luong agrees that the show of tolerance in abolishing a ban on gay marriage has contributed to the rise in LGBT tourists, although he says the importance of improving LGBT-centred services – hotels, bars, clubs, etc. – should not be underestimated.

He also points out that unlike countries such as Thailand and Taiwan, Vietnam does not have a plan to promote itself as an “LGBT tourism country”. Despite this, Vietnam – like Cambodia – has never actually outlawed homosexuality. That alone can be viewed as an achievement when compared with the draconian laws imposed by other nations, even today.

In November 2015, the country passed a law allowing those who have undergone gender reassignment to register under their new gender. The law will come into effect early next year after 282 of 366 lawmakers voted in favour. Advocacy groups hope the legislation will pave the way for the surgery to be made legal in the nation. For now, people tend to have it done in Thailand.

The next step is gay marriage with all of the benefits enjoyed by straight couples.

Then gay tourists who visit the country may even stay.

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Dinner inspires all the glamour, and lunch is often a great adventure. But breakfast, lowly breakfast, is so often taken for granted that hotels routinely just fold it into the cost of a single night’s accommodation. However, these days across Asia, people are waking up to breakfast in more ways than one. From Tokyo to Bali, Taipei to Bangkok, chefs are seizing an opportunity to make a statement at dawn, with inventive new dishes in settings all the more inspiring for the morning light. AsiaLIFE takes a look at some of the top destinations to refuel for the new day.

Anantara Angkor Resort

Butler Breakfasts among the Temples: It’s one thing to witness Angkor Archaeological Park among scores of tourists in the sweltering heat of day. It’s something else entirely to enjoy a temple almost in isolation as the sun appears, indulging in a delectable breakfast to provide energy for the exploration ahead. On the five-star Anantara Angkor Resort’s new, off-thebeaten-track Sunrise Breakfast at Angkor tour, a veteran guide with an encyclopedic knowledge of and special access to the UNESCO World Heritage Site is on hand to help visitors beat the crowds, ushering them to secluded vantage points to watch the day break over the awe-inspiring temples. After sunrise, a personal butler awaits at one of the less frequented temples close to Angkor Wat to serve guests freshly squeezed juice, coffee or tea, and an array of tropical fruits and freshly baked pastries.

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Grand Hyatt Taipei

Asia’s Most Ambitious Buffet: With nearly three-dozen chefs at the helm in a plethora of show kitchens, with 168 culinary options that span the globe hosted in a variety of artfully conceived venues, the vibrant new Café is a must-see.

Seating 290 across multiple tiers of dining, their omelettes and coffee is a welcome kick-start to the day. Indulge in traditional Western fare, or food from across Asia, the Americas and Japan. But the mindful traveller knows that this hotel is also home to two of Taipei’s premier Chinese eateries – Pearl Liang (Cantonese) and Yun Jin (pan-China) – and that, by osmosis, the dim sum is going to be inspired. And it is, from the shrimp dumplings and sui mai to the steamed rice cakes.

If pancakes have to be part of your breakfast feast in Taipei, try the pan-fried pork Chinese pancakes. Don’t miss the fresh juice bar where the bartender is

on hand at breakfast to produce juice on order.

Palace Hotel Tokyo

Dining Across the Moat from Royalty: The moat outside Palace Hotel Tokyo wasn’t built to safeguard the guest base of this 2012 debut, but diners on the terrace of the Grand Kitchen are nevertheless beneficiaries of this watery oasis on the edge of the Imperial Palace gardens, a sprawling East Asian complex where Japan’s imperial family lives. It seems fitting, given the view, to choose a local meal from the menu options or variety of food stations peppered throughout the restaurant. The authentic Japanese breakfast features fresh and light grilled fish, flavourful yet not salty miso soup, and tamago-yaki (sweet omelette) cooked to perfection, along with special rice called yume-gokochi, which fittingly translates as “a dreamy state of mind”. A truly delectable and refreshing way to start the day.

Reverie Saigon

Europe’s Finest Food in the Heart of Saigon: The European flair of one of Ho Chi Minh City’s newest luxury hotel isn’t limited to the décor. Here dining menus demand as much attention as the mosaics and marble that furnish the restaurants. It all begins at breakfast with Café Cardinal’s buffet spread. With a French chef at the helm, the Parisian-quality baguettes are a must and best enjoyed with a selection of imported cheese and prosciutto. Don’t forget to sample Vietnamese favourites, such as ice coffee over condensed milk or bo kho (slow-braised beef stew), then sit back and take in the view of a resort-style pool terrace that wouldn’t be out of place in France's Versailles.

Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit

A Taste of France in the Thai Capital: While the venue of the moment at Sofitel’s

flagship property in Southeast Asia is a sparkling new art gallery – the only art gallery inside a hotel in Bangkok – no guest should overlook the culinary masterpiece directly above, on the mezzanine level.

That’s where you’ll find Voila!, which boasts a breakfast buffet to remember thanks in large part to a kitchen crew that’s committed to baking the best croissants this side of France.

Throw in eight action stations – including a detox smoothie station designed to get the juices flowing – and the option to order gourmet, oven-baked, free-range eggs topped with tom yung hollandaise sauce, and diners have the recipe for a divine way to start the day in the City of Angels.

The Sanchaya Bintan

Steak and Eggs on the Equator: The Sanchaya Bintan lavishes the most important meal of the day with the attention it deserves,

all to a backdrop of powder white sands, swaying palm trees, aquamarine waters and picturesque islands. Fancy sous vide egg innovative with soft-boiled egg, crab meat, yuzu hollandaise, parsley, toasted sourdough and black caviar? Or bo ne, comprising a sizzling wagyu steak, fried egg, grilled tomato, shallots and soya sauce? It’s a treat in itself determining what a la carte creation to indulge in from a menu drawing on a mélange of Western, Japanese, Vietnamese and Malaysian influences. Not to mention the chef’s ‘harvest table’ packed with granola, home-made yogurts, sourdough breads, preserves, honeys and fruit, as well as traditional Indonesian Jamu Gendong tonics served by a roving herbalist. If breakfast eaters can’t find exactly what they want, the estate’s ‘culinary artisans’ are on hand to create bespoke dishes not featured on the menu.

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NEEDA Corner of streets 51 and 360, Phnom Penh.

Tel: 023 976 789. Open daily from 10am to 10pm.

Aiming to raise the standards of Thai and Khmer offerings in the capital, Needa’s menu boasts an array of traditional dishes. Editor Marissa Carruthers and photographer Charles Fox put them to the test.

“She’s picking herbs for one of the dishes,” says Needa general manager, Toby Pearson, referring to a woman hunched over a neat row of herbs that line the mini garden to the front of the restaurant – a nice touch to its philosophy of serving up fresh authentic Thai and Khmer cuisine.

With the neighbouring country’s cuisine often wrongly sitting on the same spectrum as Cambodia’s to those whose palates are non-the-wiser, – the main distinction being Thailand’s dishes have fire while Cambodia’s are much milder, relying on herbs more than spices – Needa’s other aim is to highlight the nuances of each.

Opened in early 2014, the owners – one Thai and three Khmers – wanted to raise the 44 AsiaLIFE Cambodia

bar for Thai cooking in the capital while specialising in high-end local cuisine. Two Thai and two Khmer chefs were recruited, and a menu taking in delicacies from the two countries concocted. The result is a divine array of recipes that span salads and soups, through to noodles, seafood and curries.

When it comes to Cambodian cooking, prahok is a staple, and features in any restaurant claiming to have a Cambodian connection. Also referred to as “fish cheese” because of its potent smell and taste, the fermented fish paste is a common addition to Cambodian cooking, however, on its own it is not for the uninitiated.

Needa’s upscale version ($7.50) is fermented then baked for 25 minutes, giving it

a crispy bite. Served next to a bed of salad and root vegetables intricately carved into flowers, the thin pancake of prahok is as strong in taste as it is in smell, and should be approached with caution by novices.

The salted crab papaya salad (served in a set with chicken wings and sticky rice - $9.50) has a sweet tang but brings tears to the eyes. With the heavy nod towards chilli packing a punch, this salad comes with a kick.

Sticking to tradition, nom banh-chuk ($5.50) resides on the menu. Rather than the familiar dish seen on Cambodia’s streets, Needa’s version elevates the traditional street food to fine dining levels. Making the perfect platter for sharing, a bowl of chicken curry is served alongside a board containing

shredded cucumber, bitter lemon, pickled cabbage, chopped long beans, banana flowers, mint leaves and fresh noodles.

Needa’s tom yam ($7) is a signature dish, and this one really packs a punch. Possibly one of the best I’ve had in the capital, you know you’re alive after each mouthful, with the chilli and spices shining through.

Opting for the prawn over the chicken, the soup, which boasts an incredible consistency, was full of a healthy portion of plump, juicy prawns.

Having set out to elevate Khmer and Thai cooking, Needa has done just that, producing a range of delectable dishes from the neighbouring countries. And with an extensive menu to navigate, there’s every reason to return.

TIPICO TAPAS 80 Street 454, Phnom Penh. Tel: 023 986 453. Open daily from 11am to 11pm.

Toul Tom Pong’s offerings have been steadily growing during the last few years, but 2016 has seen the pace step up a gear. Editor Marissa Carruthers and photographer Lucas Veuve try one of the latest additions.

Serving up a refreshing slice of Spain in tropical Cambodia was the ultimate aim of Marco Julia Eggart and Tania Unsworth when they opened Tipico earlier this year.

“Spanish tapas is very accessible,” says Eggart.

“The style of eating in Asia is small plates and sharing, so we also thought it may appeal to a local audience.”

With a strong nod towards Catalonian food – the northeastern region of Spain, where Eggart originally hails from – the menu pays testament to a host of classic Spanish dishes, such as patatas bravas ($4.60), a range of Spanish omelettes, or tortillas, and paella, given a Tipico twist.

“We wanted to cater towards people looking for something a

little bit different,” says Unsworth.

“So we’ve upgraded Spanish cuisine to include not only classical dishes but a few other items that are a little bit different, from different regions of Spain.”

The focus is on sourcing quality ingredients, preferably locally, with an exception made for authentic Spanish products, such as the range of cured meats – Serrano ham 100g and a baguette ($15.85) and Iberico ham 100g and baguette ($24.15), which are imported from the Mediterranean country. “We have to import some key ingredients but we try and source locally,” says Eggart.

“It’s important that we’re not racking up the air miles.”

The tortilla de calabacin ($4.95) is a typical Spanish omelette. Thick and fluffy, it is made using local organic eggs

and is dotted with green flecks of zuccini. The omelette falls apart on the fork and the zuccini is a fresh and welcome addition.

As well as the current temperatures soar, the ensalada mediterranea ($5.75) offers a refreshing respite. The classic salad is piled high on the plate and takes in crispy lettuce, cherry tomatoes, black olives, small squares of cheddar cheese, boiled eggs and is topped with flakes of tuna. A dressing of extra virgin olive oil and sherry vinegar is drizzled atop.

The croquetas de jamon ($4.75) is proving popular and presents classic ham croquettes.

The crust offers the perfect crunch with the soft inside stuffing of melted cheese and ham creating a wonderful contrast in textures.

No Spanish menu would be

complete without the addition of paella ($10.95), and Tipico’s speciality is packed with seafood and pork. Taking 20 minutes to cook, the dish is moist to the bite and is served with mussels, plump prawns and hunks of pork.

Sticking with the larger dishes, a highlight on the menu for me is the lubina ($7.50). Perfect for combatting the heat, the seabass is served on a bed of creamy mashed potato given a refreshingly zesty kick of citrus. The topping of organic tomato sauce – diced tomatoes, chives, onions, garlic and olive oil – completes the dish, which is light enough for lunch.

Set in a modern, minimalist, light space, Tipico is a great place to escape to a Mediterranean-style retreat and feast on some fabulous food or indulge in craft cocktails.

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ORCHIDEE PASTEUR 106 Street 51, Phnom Penh. Tel: 078 808 054. Open daily from 6am to 11pm.

With dim sum a readily available option in the Cambodian capital, editor Marissa Carruthers and photographer Charles Fox sample what Orchidee Pasteur has to offer.

The capital is awash with dumplings and dim sum – in fact, there are so many restaurants serving up an array of delicious dishes that it can be difficult to choose between them all.

Orchidee is one eatery that has stood the test of time and proved a mainstay for both locals and foreigners, who pack out the spacious venue daily.

Catering for breakfast through to dinner, the menu is diverse and covers everything from soups, noodle and rice dishes, through to grilled seafood, beef and sautéed clams.

With dumplings on the brain, we opted for the dedicated dim sum menu, taking our time to pour over the many options: deep fried buns, steamed pearl chicken, vegetable dumplings, steamed taro brioche, deep fried 46 AsiaLIFE Cambodia

wanton and deep fried shrimps.

After ordering eight dishes, our food was fast to land before us, with the dim sum delivered as they should be, stacked in wooden steaming baskets to keep them fresh warm.

The steamed pork brioche ($2.30) was divine. The fluffiness of the bun balances well with the bite of the sweet pork inside, with the perfect amount of sauce ensuring the bun doesn’t go soggy.

No dim sum dinner is complete without a helping of siew may pork duplings ($2.40), and these didn’t fail to impress. Often served with a rubbery texture, these were consistent and the stuffing was soft to the bite.

The ha kao shrimp dumplings ($2.90) were slippery and fresh,

with plump prawns hidden inside. Given a fiery kick by the accompanying chili sauce, the dumplings were so good, we ordered seconds. The deep fried sesame dumplings ($2.10) didn’t look much on the plate, resembling dried out croquettes.

But it seems simplicity is the key, and one bite came coupled with a flavoursome reward. Crispy on the outside, and soft in the middle, the sesame paste leaves a delicately sweet aftertaste on the tongue and a yearning for more.

Another dish that was deceptively undesirable to the eye was the meat and onion rolls ($2.10). You’d be forgiven for accusing the kitchen of serving up a stale pain au raisin because, to be honest, it looked just that. However, that couldn’t be further from

the truth. The thin, pancakelike, patties are flecked with chive and pork, with the batter making the savoury bite taste more like a Yorkshire pudding than the aforementioned pastry.

Last up was the ravioli with roast pork dumplings ($2.30).

Definitely the disappointment of the day, these are geared towards the more Asian palate, with the overpowering taste of the dried shrimp well and truly shining through. But this may well be the perfect treat for those who are well-acquainted with strong fish flavours.

With an enticing menu spanning plenty of pages, and darn good dumplings on the go, there’s every reason to to try more of their dining delights make a return visit to Orchidee Pasteur.

8

CITY DRINKS

Che Culo 6B, Street 302, Phnom Penh. Tel: 069 639 204.

Open Monday to Saturday, 11 am until late.

Creative cocktails complement modern Mediterranean fare at Che Culo. Writer Joanna Mayhew and photographer Lucas Veuve drink in its finest offerings.

While its tongue-in-cheek name refers to luck – literally translated as “what ass” – Che Culo relies on talent over fortune when it comes to its contemporary drinks and small plates. Open since late 2014, the bar and eatery has so far shown sticking power. “We just wanted to have a go; use our knowledge from back home to bring nice drinks and food here,” says coowner Nick Hattingh.

Hattingh’s cocktails prioritise balance and incorporate local products, such as Kampot pepper. “We have a knowledge of the drinks’ world,” he says.

“And we’ll make anything to people’s preference.” The venue also rolls out drinks based on current events, including the recent Purple Rain ($3) to honour Prince. The plum-coloured drink, topped with pink froth, sees vodka, blueberry liqueur and puree, combined with caramel and lemon, which protects against a sickly sweet taste and leaves a slightly tart finish.

The Polski in Cambodge ($5) stars Zubrowka, a bison grass-infused Polish vodka, which gives off a green tinge and results in a natural nutty flavour. This mixes seamlessly into the bittersweet martinistyle take on an apple sour, incorporating apple liqueur, apple sugar, egg white and muddled cucumber with lemon juice. And the English Garden ($5) – topped with its own “garden” of julienned

cucumbers - is a masterful combination of gin, Pimm’s, violet syrup, fresh passion fruit, ginger ale and cucumber.

At Che Culo, technique is cared for even with the most basic of drinks. Whisky sours involve a two-shake process, or a “dry shake/wet shake” to ensure a lasting frothy texture throughout the drink.

This focus on technique carries over into the impressive food menu, which showcases the Mediterranean region through share plates ($5.50 to $7) by night, and burgers, salads, sandwiches and pastas ($5) by day – summed up as “dude food,” by Hattingh.

While there is much to love, perhaps its best feature is the numerous specials throughout the week, with 50-cent meatballs, $2 tacos, $3 bowls of wings, $3 souvlakis, featured drinks Monday to Thursday, and daily happy hours (5pm to 7pm). Added to this are reliable staff, a nice mix of hip hop, electronic and classic tunes and chic décor. The smartly designed space follows a Spanish church motif, tall wooden tables and cool blues on mosaic tiling.

As for whether new endeavours are on the horizon, the owners’ lips are sealed.

“We don’t kiss and tell,” says Hattingh, adding that for now they just want customers to leave with “a happy, full tummy and glowing cheeks – and a taste for more”.

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TheSmallestDetails

DO I DO

Words by Joanna Mayhew Photography

by Lim Sokchanlina

48 AsiaLIFE Cambodia

For leather lovers, Do I Do’s intimate shop is a feast for the eyes. In the tidy wood-accented store, oversized leather purses, small clutches, reversible tote bags, sunglass cases and key holders are displayed in a stunning array of colours – fuchsia, lime, blue, orange, green, purple and numerous shades of brown.

Specialising in pig and cow leather goods, the outlet opened in August, with a focus on clean lines, versatility and minimalism. Its underlying goals are also impressive, as Do I Do seeks to support university students and those living with disabilities, through its training, employment and profits.

CEO Yulria Cho started the enterprise after being sent by the Korean government to undertake a project benefitting vulnerable people. She started out by working alongside Watthan Artisans Cambodia, a cooperative run by artisans with disabilities, and says she quickly saw that Khmers had a knack for handiwork.

While the most impressive skills are often seen on silk looms, Cho found that young people no longer want to pursue the craft, due to the difficulty and low pay. Seeing a gap in the market for handmade leather goods, Cho decided to offer an alternative.

With no background in design, she returned to Korea to learn – mostly by buying leather products, pulling them apart and studying them – before launching the store and training staff. “Three months later, our staff were better than me,” she says.

Cho, along with her sister, designs each of the products, made from leather sourced in Vietnam.

For cow leather, items are made entirely by hand in

store, from the cutting to the sewing, as Cho says this elevates the final look. It also allows staff to use these skills in the future without having to worry about the cost of machines or electricity cuts. For pig leather, as well as items incorporating brightly coloured and uniquely patterned fabrics, Do I Do partners with Watthan for production.

The shop focuses on lasting pieces that are multifunctional, with Cho comparing it to people opting for simple jeans and white t-shirts. “Everyone wants to buy just one,” she says. However, buyers can customise the items until their heart’s content, from choosing the colour and texture to the size and seams. Customers can also emboss or add pockets, and increasingly Cho is designing purses that can serve as a handbag, clutch and, by removing an inside pocket, wallet.

Though originally funded by the Korean government, the store now functions from profits, five percent of which go towards scholarships for staff. With small and large items for sale, Do I Do has a range of prices: leather totes for $120; wallets for $35; purses for $75; bracelets for $15; and clutches for $40. Do I Do goods can also be found at shops throughout the capital, including at AEON mall.

And Cho has several additional projects up her sleeve. She is exploring using bean leather, for those opposed to animal leather, and incorporating upcycling – from denim and sugar cane – into leather products.

So it’s worth staying tuned.

24E Street 29, Phnom Penh. Tel: 096 798 0698.

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Photography: Peter Bruyns Model: Jay Tonello Hair, makeup and styling: Ryan at The Dollhouse Location: Rambutan Hotel & Resort

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Socks – Pencil Pink coat – Don Protasio

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Orange tank – Alexander Wang at The Showroom Sequin scarf – The Showroom

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Crop top – Paperdolls Shorts – Model’s own Hat – Pencil Earrings – Paperdolls

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escape

LISTINGS

Silk Air Regency Complex C, Suite 2-4 Samdach Monireth Blvd Tel: 023 988 629

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

Discerning Tokyo

Palace Hotel Tokyo is celebrating the finer things in life with a new package crafted for seekers of a sophisticated stay experience.

The “Discerning Tokyo” getaway highlights world-class offerings at the hotel while also introducing guests to the capital city’s imperial heritage. The experience includes two nights in a Club Grand Deluxe or Club Deluxe with Balcony room, an eight-course, signature, prix-fixe lunch for two at Crown accompanied by five wine pairings, served up by award-winning Chef Manabu Ichizuka, a JPY 10,000 ($91) credit to splurge on cocktails and canapés at Royal Bar, and a three-hour, privately guided “Astute Aesthetes” tour, with cultural options such as Akasaka Palace. Rates start at JPY 230,000 ($2,095), not inclusive of taxes and service charge. For more information, visit en.palacehoteltokyo.com.

Historic Hoi An Cruise

Anantara Hoi An Resort, which is situated within walking distance of the UNESCO World Heritage site, has launched a picturesque new cruise on Hoi An’s Thu Bon River, opening up one of Asia’s most storied waterways in a whole new way. The daily one-hour cruise, which departs from the French colonial-inspired Anantara Hoi An Resort, invites travellers to explore the contemporary appeal of an age-old icon. The five-kilometre journey sets off downstream under the Cam Nam Bridge, skirts the fabled Ancient Town and its markets and then proceeds upstream along Cam Kim Island and Kim Bong carpentry village. The boat turns at Cam Nam Island and moves downstream again past the Thanh Nam fishing village, wrapping up at Anantara’s riverside dock. The cruises depart at 10.30am and 2.30pm daily, including the sunset cruise at 4.30pm, and are available to resort guests, from $8. To book, visit hoi-an.anantara.com.

Low Season Deals

The exclusive Knai Bang Chatt is offering a low season super special deal to guests booking a room in June. Throughout this month, guests can relax in the luxurious surroundings at a fraction of the usual price. As part of the offer, visitors can enjoy two nights for the price of one ($169) or, if booking two rooms, just pay for one ($169). To book, visit knaibangchatt.com.

Villa for Rent

Villa Saat in Kep is offering a weekend deal to hire out the entire sumptuous villa. Boasting four bedrooms, a bathroom, fully-equipped kitchen and private pool for $180, this is a deal that is not to be missed. However, it comes on a firstcome-first-served basis so hurry up and book to enjoy the heavenly surroundings. To book, visit villa-kep.com.

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Skywing Asia Airlines IOC building Monivong Blvd.

Tel: 023 217130

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) Phnom Penh Tel: 023 866 404 Qatar Airways 296 Mao Tse Toung Blvd.

Ground floor, Intercontinental Hotel Phnom Penh.

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

Battambang Bambu Hotel Phum Romchek 5 Tel: 053 953 900 / 053 953 905 Email: bookings@bambuhotel.com 16 rooms arranged in four traditional inspired buildings with swimming pool, bar and restaurant.

Battambang Resort Wat Ko Village, Battambang Tel: 012 510 100/ 053 666 7001 Email: info@battambangresort.com Café Eden 89 Group 5, Mapei Outsapeea Village Tel: 053 731 525 Eclectic café with incredible food that overlooks the river. Non-profit boutique with handmade local crafts that focuses on training Cambodians. WiFi, AC, Local Art. Happy hour 3pm-7pm. Open Wednesday - Monday 7.30am-9pm Jaan Bai Restaurant Road 2 (near Psar Nat Market) Tel: 097 398 7815 For those with a passion for food and an interest in supporting Cambodian youth.

Using seasonal organic produce sourced from their own kitchen garden, local farmers and neighbouring markets. Open Tuesday – Sunday 11am–9pm.

Kinyei Café Street 1 and 1/2, Phum 20 Osaphea Tel: 017 292 119 Social enterprise with the best coffee in town, serving snacks, lunch, breakfast and other drinks, friendly staff, free space for small open workshop. Won the National Barista Championship 2012 - 2013.

Open daily from 7am-7pm.

La Villa 185 Pom Romchek 5 Tel: 017 411 880 / 053 730 151 lavilla.battambang@gmail.com Beautifully restored 1930s colonial house with six rooms. A premium hotel in the country’s second city and with an excellent kitchen and bar.

Sangker Villa Hotel Pool Restaurant 200 Street, Romchek4 Village Ratanak Commune Tel: 097 764 0017 Sangker Villa has seven rooms and one balcony suite. It is a 10 minute walk from the city centre. The hotel combines the charm of the countryside with the advantages of the city. Swiss management, speaking English, French, German, Italian and Spanish.

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 threeroom 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.

Kirirom Kirirom Pine View Kitchen Tel: 078 777 284

www.vkirirom.com The restaurant is surrounded by pine trees, located in Kirirom National Park.

Serves special Khmer and western dishes, overlooking this beautiful nature.

Open daily from 7am-10pm.

Mondulkiri Mayura Hill Resort Tel: 077 980 980 www.mayurahillresort.com Mayura Hill Hotel & Resort has 14 exclusive private bungalow villas embodying the northeastern province’s lifestyle. The first eco-tourism resort in Sen Monorom city located just 1km from downtown, surrounded by wonderful views of the highlands.

Pailin Memoria Palace Resort Tel: 015 430 013 / 015 430 014 Email: reservation@memoriapalce.com www.memoriapalace.com Memoria Palace Resort features 16 beautiful bungalow, three unique ecolodges, a hilltop saltwater swimming pool, restaurant, bar and conference room. The perfect environment for peaceful relaxation or adventurous outdoor activities in the Cardamom Mountains.

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: 023 990 628 / 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.

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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.

Sokha Phnom Penh Chroy Changvar Peninsula Tel: 23 685 8888 www. sokhahotels.com/phnompenh An blot on the horizon or testament to the rising wealth of the capital - you choose.

Located on Chroy Changvar peninsula opposite the Royal Palace the views are quite spectacular, but the opulent interior can not disguise the distance to Phnom Penh’s bars and restaurants.

Phnom Penh – Mid Chateau the Meliya 10B Street 264 Tel: 023 987 212 Hotel and serviced-apartments, in a great central location, close to Independence Monument, Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda, National Museum and Riverfront. 54 units (studio, one bedroom and two bedrooms), with contemporary design and amazing city and river views.

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.

The Laneway Boutique Hotel 2 Street 278 Tel: 089 985 956 The Laneway Boutique Hotel is located in the heart of Phnom Penh and offers all the essential comforts you would expect from a first-class leisure hotel, including a cocktail bar, swimming pool, grill restaurant and recreational facilities.

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.

Pandan Boutique Hotel 15A Street 282 Tel: 012 373 78 www.pandanboutiquehotel.com Ideally located in the heart of Phnom Penh, at walking distance from the shopping and business district, 5 minute walk from Independence Monument. 26 rooms with unique and classy design.

Rambutan Resort 29 Street 71Tel: 017 992 240

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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.

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.

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.

Le Rit’s 71 Street 240 Tel: 023 213 160 Small & charming 6-room guesthouse with spacious rooms is managed by NYEMO NGO, part of its hospitality training.

Rooms equipped with queen-sized bed, cable TV, private bathroom.

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 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.

Phnom Penh - Budget

Sihanoukville Café Sushi 25 Street Ekreach, near Golden Lion Tel: 012 777 476 (Khmer/English) 097 516 5727 (Japanese) Cafe Sushi serves up fresh sushi prepared by a master Japanese “itamae” in a stylish, air-conditioned lounge. Choose from an authentic range of sashimi, nigiri and other Japanese favourites, with both locally-caught and rare, imported fish, or go for more westernised choices. Open daily from 11am-2pm & 5.30pm-10pm.

Mick & Craig’s Restaurant Serendipity Beach Tel: 034 934 845 www.mickandcraigs.com A small, friendly restaurant serving comfort food from around the world since 1997. Open daily from 7am-11pm.

Reef Resort Road to Serendipity Beach Tel: 012 315 338 www.reefresort.com.kh Guesthouse set around a beautiful pool with well apportioned AC rooms, in-room safe and cable TV, family rooms also available. Has a welcoming bar with excellent TV screen.

Scuba Nation Lane off road to Serendipity Beach Tel: 012 604 680 / 012 715 785 www.divecambodia.com Five-star PADI centre offering daily trips to the area’s many islands and reefs, including the decent dive sites.

The Secret Garden Otres Beach Tel: 097 649 5131 www.secretgardenotres.com Modern beachside AC bungalows with hot water, TV, WiFi and swimming pool.

Restaurant run by professional Australian chef.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Scuba Nation Lane off road to Serendipity Beach Tel: 012 604 680/012 715 785 www.divecambodia.com Five-star PADI centre offering daily trips to the area’s many islands and reefs including the decent dive sites at Koh Rung Samloem and Koh Kong.

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 AHA The Passage Tel: 063 965 501 Sophisticated and beautifully designed wine bar selling a wide range of wines from around the world and tapas, as well as great cheese and Lavazza coffee.

Open 10.30am-10.30pm.

Angkor What?

Pub Street Tel: 012 181 4001 “Promoting irresponsible drinking since 1998,” this graffiti-laden bar is the mainstay of Pub Street. A healthy mix of loud rock, punk and grunge, buckets of vodka and red bull for $6.

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.

ming pool, spa and international standard 18-hole 72-par golf course

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.

Sokkhak Boutique Resort Kok Chork village, Trorpeang Ses commune, 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 boutique and homely style that offers simplicity, comfort and relaxation.

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

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

Open 10am-3am.

Galleries Diwo Galleries Vat Svay, Tonle Sap Road / between Monument Books and Ta Prohm Hotel.

Selection of refined Khmer statues and Buddhas. The larger Vat Svay location features a gallery exhibition of Thierry Diwo’s photography. Drinks are available in the garden and on the terrace.

Happy Cambodia Gallery 2 Hospital Street, next to Pub Street Tel: 063 963 114 www.happypainting.net The distinctive and highly colourful work created by long-time Cambodian expat artist Stef.

McDermott Gallery I & II FCC Complex Pokambor Avenue / Alley behind Pub Street Tel: 092 668 181 www.mcdermottgallery.com Two galleries devoted to photographic works. With permanent exhibition of photographs taken by John McDermott.

Open 10am-10pm.

Hotels Kingdom Angkor Hotel Tel: 063 760 526 Email: reservation@kingdomangkor.com or info@kingdomangkor.com www.kingdomangkor.com Lynnaya Urban River Resort & Spa Tel: 063 967 755 www.lynnaya.com A luxury resort equipped with swimming pool, spa and restaurant.

Leisure Angkor Silk Farm Puok District (20min from Siem Reap downtown) Tel: 063 555 5768 www.artisansdangkor.com Learn about the meticulous process of silk-making 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.

Medical

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.

Royal Angkor International Hospital National Route 6, Phum Kasekam, Khum Sra Ngea Tel: 063 761 888 www.royalangkorhospital.com Royal Angkor International Hospital is part of the well-known Bangkok Hospital Network. Offering high quality care for all eventualities from routine care to emergency treatment 24 hours a day.

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.

Pharmacies

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, swim-

siem reap

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

Watching Your Water Usage Sarah Brown Siem Reap province, along with many others across Northwest Cambodia particularly, as well as many other parts of the region is running out of water.

Coupled with a lacklustre rainy season last year, the searing temperatures of April and May have caused rivers and reservoirs to dry up, leaving many in a very precarious situation when in comes to accessing water of any kind. Indeed, reports suggest that this is the worst drought in decades and there is plenty of measures you can take to help the situation.

While it’s always wise to use water sparingly, adopting water-conserving habits is now a case of necessity, and we can all make small changes to prevent wastage of the precious water we can access.

Here are some top tips for saving water, both now and in our everyday lives.

First and foremost, fix those drips. We all have a leaky fixture somewhere, and while it may only look like a drop or two is escaping, over the course of days that’s a lot of water going straight down the drain. Call a plumber and tighten up those taps.

If you have a washing machine, only turn it on when you have a full load. These machines use a lot of water, so buckets full are wasted if you’re just chucking in a T-shirt or two for a rinse/

Try also to think of ways that water can be reused. If you’re using a bowl of water to wash your veggies, for example, you can then use it to water your plants rather than pour it down the drain.

While a shower is certainly necessary on hot days, try to keep it short and sweet. If you’re someone who washes your hair every single day, you might also consider leaving it a day or two and saving all the extra H2O that’s required to wash the shampoo out of your barnet.

Watering plants in the hottest part of the day is inefficient as the water evaporates quickly, and the same can be said of watering down the dusty streets.

If you need to water your plants do so first thing in the morning or after sunset, refrain from watering down the dust, and encourage your neighbours to do the same.

For more information about ways you can reduce your water usage and support drought relief efforts in Siem Reap, check out Water Wise Cambodia (facebook.com/ WaterWiseCambodia), a local grassroots initiative.

Similarly you can join the Water on Wheels facebook group (https:// www.facebook.com/ groups/1707813832811517/), and join their efforts to support the many families in rural Siem Reap experiencing severe drought.

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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 6pm-10.30pm.

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.

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.

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: 085 330 093 / 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 nonvegetarian food. Maharajah believes that exclusivity with a touch of simplicity is important in the creation of every dish.

Open daily 11am–10pm.

Mahob Khmer Cuisine Tel: 017 550 206 / 063 966 986 Email: info@mahobkhmer.com www.mahobkhmer.com Mahob is the Cambodian word for ‘food’ serving traditional Khmer cuisine in the new level by using only the freshest local ingredients to tantalise your taste-buds.

Marum 8A-B Phum Slokram, (Between Wat Polanka & Catholic Church) Tel: 017 363 284

A winning mix of creative local cuisine.

Open from 11am-10.30pm (Kitchen closes at 9.30pm).

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.

feast

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 Body Tune 293-290 Pokambor Ave. (Next to the old market) Tel: 063 764 141 www.bodytune.co.th When you need to re-balance and rejuvenate your body in between daily routines, Body Tune is the perfect place to regain your energy. Open daily, from 10am-10.30pm.

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.

With Cambodia capital at the seams with restaurants and bars, there are deals galore to be snagged. Here are a few of our favourites.

Hot Season Sale

Kep Lodge has only gone and got itself a new wood fire pizza oven, and to celebrate it is offering guests who stay for a minimum of two nights, not cumulative, a free pizza until the end of June. And to further sweeten the deal, guests can enjoy 30 percent off room rates throughout this month. The deal is only available via direct bookings online.

After making a booking, guests should fire off a quick email with the subject pizza. To book, visit keplodge.com.

Casual Chinese Dining

Asia’s most influential international food and hospitality show and food and beverage trade event takes place from May 25 and 29. The show, which has grown from strength to strength over the past 12 years, has become an important platform for regional and international food importers and exporters to connect with trade visitors from Asia and worldwide. The show also acts as a platform to introduce the latest food innovations, technologies and trends. Held in Bangkok, the show attracts companies from Cambodia, Brunei, India, Ukraine and Norway and this year includes the fifth edition of the Thailand Ultimate Chef Challenge, Celebrity Coffee Bar and a range of talks. For more information, visit thailandfoodfair.com.

Blue Pumpkin

Blue Pumpkin is hosting a swathe of deals throughout June.

Every Saturday, Sunday and public holiday, the outlet is offering 10 percent off every sale of coffee and a pastry, as well as a hearty brunch for $8.50. From Monday to Friday, Blue Pumpkin is also serving up a lunch meal deal, with a soft drink, soup, noodles or fried rice and a dessert costing $5.80.

Luxury Indulgence

Raffles Hotel Le Royal is offering Cambodian residents the chance to feast on their fine food and sip on their drinks as part of an exclusive deal. For $150 a night, guests can enjoy the buffet breakfast, 50 percent off all the restaurants and bars, 20 percent off a spa treatment and three-hours complimentary baby-sitting for children under the age of 12. The offer applies to both Siem Reap and Phnom Penh residences. For details, visit raffles.com.

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LISTINGS

food & drink Cafés Art Café 37 Sothearos Blvd. Tel: 012 834 517 Elegant bistro in the style of a European coffee house is now transposed to the Meta House with regular classical music performances.

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 Le Point Tel: 077 974 921 Enjoy the cosy and relaxed atmosphere under a big mango tree. Located near KFC on Norodom Bvd, next to La Clef de Sol shop. Healthy, natural and delicious.

Open Monday to Saturday, from 7am7pm.

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.

Cupcake Rush 23A Street 57/306 Tel: 087 696 988 Sweet treats galore at this cute, specialist cupcake shop. Open daily from 8am-8pm.

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 7am7pm Mon to Sat, 7am-3pm Sun.

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.

Cambodian

Gloria Jean’s Corner of Street 51 & Street 310 Tel: 092 404 365 Sisowath Quay along Phnom Penh Port Tel: 092 555 973 Canadia Tower Monivong Blvd.

Tel: 092 555 937 Popular coffee shop that serves hot and cold drinks and snacks. A great place to chill and relax, or to catch up with all those lost emails.

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.

Kiriya Café 174, St.51, Cnr St.370 Tel: 016 363 730.

This Japanese café chain offers good locally sourced coffee, delicious desserts and a relaxing atmosphere. Open daily 6am-2am.

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.

Dot Grill 8 Street 144 Tel: 023 996 402 Dot serves delicious Cambodian grill specialties, prepared and served on large skewers made to order on an open grill in the restaurant’s centre. The menu includes the best of local cuisine as well as international all-time favourites. Open daily from 7.30am–10pm.

Garuda Khmer Restaurant 21 Street 466 Tel: 092 877 345 / 092 710 097 Authentic homemade Khmer cuisine served at International standard and a museum where you can eat. Open daily from 11.30pm–2:30pm and 5pm-10pm.

Khmer Surin 9 Street 57 Tel: 012 887 320 Elegant restaurant featuring wood and silk décor with a tropical garden that serves Cambodian and Thai favourites.

Dishes are well prepared and large enough to share.

La Table Khmère 11E Street 278 Tel: 012 238 068 www.la-table-khmere.com Taste the flavour of traditional Khmer specialities and fusion cuisine in a stylish ambience and atmosphere on Street 278. Also serving Western dishes. Open daily from 11am-11pm.

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

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 11am10.30pm (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-caneat 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 11.30am2.30pm and 6.30pm-10.30pm. Dim Sum weekend from 8am-2.30pm.

Hua Nam 753 Monivong Bvd. Tel: 023 364 005 Large Chinese restaurant that specialises in seafood and duck and has a good selection of wines, with VIP rooms. Open 11am-2pm and 5pm-10pm Sam Doo 56-58 Kampuchea Krom Tel: 023 218 773 The place for dim sum in Phnom Penh, baskets of steamed prawn dumplings, pork buns and more go for a pittance.

The wonton soup and other tasty meals are a steal. Open 7am-2am.

Tsui Wah 157 Street 63 Tel: 023 986 133 Offers a variety of roasted meats, including duck, pork and goose. Open 21 hours, serving Hong-Kong-influenced food. Open daily from 6am-3am.

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 6am10.30pm.

The D22 Dining & Bar Phnom Penh Tower 22nd Floor – Inside Tama Hotel Phnom Penh Tel: 023 964 021 The dining offers French bistro cuisine where you get to enjoy the dishes that

AsiaLIFE Cambodia 59

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 Bistrot 218 Street 184 Tel: 012 495 841 information@institutfrançais-cambodge. com.

Nestled inside the entirely renovated spaces of the Institut Français, Le Bistrot offers great coffee break, lunches and dinner. Le Bistrot is between the media library, cinema, exhibition gallery and garden of the Institut Français. Open Monday to Saturday from 8am-10pm.

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 12pm3pm 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.

Phnom Penh

Siem Reap

023 986 350

063 964 409

60 AsiaLIFE Cambodia

Sihanoukville Kep & Kampot 034 934 155

033 930 000

Battambang 053 953 855

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. Airconditioned. Open 7am-10pm.

Flavours of India 158 Street 63 Tel: 012 886 374 Relaxing Indian and Nepalese restaurant with friendly staff and a good range of dishes including good value vegetarian and meat thalis. Open 10am-11pm.

Indian Delight 115Eo Sisowath Quay Tel: 023 724 885 / 098 776 543 Delicious North Indian tastes served at a modest yet clean and bright spot on the riverside. Opposite Titanic restaurant.

Open daily 11am–11pm.

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.

Lan Pin 281 Norodom Boulevard, Phnom Penh.

Tel: 077 221 195 Located in Tai Ming Hotel, this restaurant serves up sumptuous Asian fusion cuisine.

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 allyou-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

REGIONAL EATS

The Hot Pot

Christan Ngo Hi everyone. I hope you’ve had a fantastic month and survived the blistering heat, which was much warmer than usual. Here’s to hoping for a better and cooler month of June.

Many visitors often ask me what most locals do in Saigon? We go cruising. Cruising the streets of Saigon is what locals do on a daily basis. Besides work, we’re always on the go on our scooters, mopeds and motorbikes in search of something fun to do. Fun in Vietnam has always meant eating, chit-chatting and drinking coffee.

What I’ve found to be one of the most popular crowds pleasers amongst Saigonese (besides coffee and karaoke) are hot pots and shell fish. The reason is these popular foods are meant to be shared, and the bigger the crowd the better. The conversation, the atmosphere, the food; everything seems better with more people around. I’ve previously written about shell fish so I figure hot pots deserve their moment as well.

Hot pot, also known as ‘steamboat’ in countries such as Thailand, the Philippines and China, originated more than 1,000 years ago in Mongolia during the Jin Dynasty. Later it spread to China during the Song Dynasty, and continued throughout the Mongolian Yuan Dynasty.

A simple metal pot of various seasoned stocks simmering in the centre of the table while ingredients are continuously added to the mix. Nothing is off the cards where hot pots are concerned; seafood, thinly sliced beef, assorted leaves and vegetables, mushrooms, beef balls, fish balls, tofu. Everything is cooked at the table in the broth.

Here are some notable hot pot places to start your journey:

Lau Dau Ca Dan Ich

99 Chau Van Liem, D5 // Tel: 083 856 5240 // Open 4pm to 10pm.

The name literally means ‘fish head hot pot’. This popular place specialises in fish head and is located on Chau Van Liem near Nguyen Trai Street in District 5. It can get very busy in the evenings.

Quan Lau Dong Xuyen

407 Nguyen Chi Thanh, D5 // Tel: 083 856 6376 Open 3pm to 11pm.

Lau Dong Xuyen offers an assortments of hot pot styles (though mainly Chinese), such as a mushroom loaded option for vegetarians, seafood, Thai (for that extra spicy kick) and a combination of all of the above.

Restaurant 13

13 Ngo Duc Ke, D1 // Tel: 083 823 9314 // Open 8am to 10.30pm.

This long-standing eatery is popular for both locals and expats for their simple family-style meals in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City.

Despite their popularity for large family meals, they also have some outstanding hot pots. One in particular is called lau mam (fermented fish hot pot). You might have to get used to the smell, but believe me... it is good.

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.

Brooklyn Pizza + Bistro 20 Street 123 Tel: 089 925 926 A slice of Brooklyn right here in Phnom Penh. In addition to authentic pizza, Brooklyn serves pastas, burgers, ribs, chicken wings and more.

Cabaret 159 Street 154 (near Central Market) Tel: 092 650 980 Email: info@cabaret-restaurant.com Restaurant and lounge bar with live music. Enjoy trendy food, tapas, cocktails and wine in a modern setting encompassing two elegant areas, bar and patio. Fine and casual dining available. Live music four to five times a week, sumptuous variety of wine and cigars.

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, 12pm2.30pm, 6pm-10pm. 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.

Duplex 3 Street 278 www.duplex.com.kh A Belgian beer tavern in the heart of Phnom Penh. A destination that fuses the elements of a lounge with high energy ambiance.

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.

La Plaza Spanish Tapas Bar 22b Street 278 Tel: 012 825 443 Recreates to perfection the best known and most delicious Spanish tapas, making of seafood Paella its signature dish. Tapas are the result of hundreds of years of Spanish culinary history and evolution. Simple, tasty and healthy dishes have become a standard to be enjoyed with friends while drinking large amounts of sangría. Open 11am-2pm, 5pm-10pm. All day at weekends.

LA Rose Restaurant 164b Norodom Blvd Tel: 023 211 130 / 080 900 900 Revive your strength and restore your health with La Rose Restaurant’s healthy option menu. Cozy ground floor restaurant with experienced chefs serving both Asian and Western cuisine, served in a delightful setting.

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Lime Restaurant + Bar 79F Street 128 Tel: 023 998 608/ 610 Email: info@lebizhotel.com, www.lebizhotel.com Located in Lebiz Hotel Lime serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, offering a stylish mix of Asian and Western favourites with a focus on fresh, healthy and local ingredients, with regular changes to the menu.

imbibe

Lone Pine Café 14 Street 282 Tel: 078 949 398/095 949 398 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).

The Crema of the Crop Darren Gall We do not get to see many quality North American wines in Cambodia. Demand has always seemed low and the effort to develop a market for such wines has quite frankly, just not been forthcoming.

Often in emerging markets, demand tends to be for either the cheapest wine available or the best that money can buy, I call them top and tail markets, and wines which fall between these two price-points rarely do well. Fortunately, with a strong and growing economy in Cambodia the market is showing signs of maturity, and there is now room opening up for high quality, mid-priced premium wines.

I was therefore delighted to learn that a shipment of good mid-priced premium wine from the United States has just arrived in the Kingdom.

Founded in 1979, when the Sonoma Coast region was still relatively unknown, the La Crema vineyard was purchased by the Jackson family of Kendall Jackson fame in 1993. The winery specialises in the Burgundy grape varieties of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, along with some Pinot Gris, a variety made famous in nearby Alsace.

The Sonoma Coast region runs along the Pacific coastline of California, north of San Francisco to Mendocino County, and includes many famous sub-regions, such

as Chalk Hill, Russian River Valley, Los Carneros and the Petaluma Gap. The region enjoys a cool climate and the famous Pacific fog in the area allows the grapes to ripen slowly and reach full flavour potential in the vineyard while retaining healthy acidity.

Now available in Cambodia I was fortunate to try the 2014 and it charmed me greatly. I found it positively delightful, a complex wine with impressive, judicious use of oak, a rich and creamy palate and some fine structure and acidity to finish.

Colour: deep lemon with green and gold tints.

Aroma: shortbread, toast, butterscotch, crème brulee, white peach and lemon.

Palate: creamy entry with hints of hazelnut, white peach and custard apple, back palate tightens up with some attractive, pink grapefruit acidity and toasty oak.

Conclusion: I loved the toasty, slightly charry and sweet (vanilla, butterscotch, coconut) aromas of new oak and the creamy entry onto the palate, I loved the fruit flavours, and was impressed with the tight back palate acidity and vibrancy.

I really want to try this wine again with food, a wealth of potentially stunning pairings immediately spring to mind involving salmon, prawns, scallops, chicken, pork and small game birds.

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.

62 AsiaLIFE Cambodia

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 3pmmidnight.

Ocean 11 Street 288. Tel: 017 766 690 European managed Mediterranean restaurant that dishes up some of the best fish and seafood in town. Try the red snapper or the squid with rocket.

Often has exhibitions around the understated walls.

One More Pub 16E Street 294 Tel: 017 327 378. (see bars) 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.

Ozone Poolside Restaurant & Bar Floor 5b, Rose Condo, Bassac Gardens

Tel: 092 673 303 Ozone is the new restaurant and bar next to the pool and gym at Rose Condo.

New York style pizza, steaks, premium burgers and more. Enjoy Al Fresco dining or have food delivered to your door.

Paddy Rice 213-217 Sisowath Quay Tel: 023 990 321 www.paddyrice.net (See bars) Petra 8 Street 288 (between St 51 & St 57) Tel: 023 666 3222 / 089 990 150 Authentic Arabic cuisine, ambiance and chef with rooftop shisha lounge. Located in the heart of BKK1. Special dining experiences with great costumes. Open daily from 10am–11pm.

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

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, 5pm11pm.

Rising Sun 20 Street 178.

Tel: 012 970 718 (see bars) 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.

Stella Restaurant 55 Street 75 Tel: 099 574 188 / 012 735 002 A cozy restaurant located near Wat Phnom, Stella serves pizzas, grilled food and Asian cuisine in a peaceful garden atmosphere.

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.

Stockholm European Restaurant 45 Street 288 (between Streets 63 & Monivong Blvd) Tel: 081 845 957 A warm welcome to everyone who wants to try a home-made Swedish and other European meals. It is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Closed on Sunday.

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 11am-midnight.

Sunset Blvd Cnr. Sisowath Quay & Street 148 Tel: 012 277 882 / 012 887 702 River crossing sets off from Riverside Bistro every 30 minutes to this 50s style retro bistro, near Sokha Hotel, Tickets $4.

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 Quay 277 Sisowath Quay Tel: 023 224 894 Food is a mix of tapas and more substantial offerings, and excellent malbec. Roof-top bar closed for refurbishment. Open daily from 7am11pm.

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.

The Shop 102 1B Street 102 (Inside Central Mansion) Tel: 077 666 115 The Shop restaurant proposes a large range of fresh bread, pastries, chocolates, Western and Asian food.

At night time, the atmosphere becomes cozier and offers a selection of fine wines and cocktails to accompany the dinner menu. Customers have access to the nearby swimming pool, making it the perfect place for families.

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. Wellpriced 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.

Genova Italian Restaurant 20 Street 118. Tel: 012 390 039 This small restaurant has the feel of an Italian trattoria with food just like mamma made. The spaghetti al pesto Genovese is its signature dish. Good range of meat and fish dishes as well as some Khmer dishes. Open daily 10am-midnight.

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

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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.

Le Seoul 62 Monivong Blvd. Tel: 012 971 516 Popular up-market South Korean restaurant specialising in BBQ, each table is equipped with its own charcoal burner, with all beef imported from the U.S. Open daily, 11am-2.30pm, 5pm10pm.

Ninja Dining & Bar Ninja 1 BBK1, 14b, Street 278 Tel: 097 772 1556 Japanese dining establishment that is open from 11.30am to midnight Ninja 2 Toul Tom Pong 54, Street 454 Tel: 096 390 6091 Sister establishment to the Ninja Dining & Bar that has slightly different dining hours; open 11am-11pm.

Noodle Bar Osan 27b, Street 294, BKK1 Tel: 097 932 7067 The best Japanese ramen noodle restaurant in Phnom Penh offering you food prepared by a master ramen Chef from Japan who was featured in various TV shows in Japan as one of the leading Ramen chefs. Lunch 11.30am-2pm and dinner 5.30pm-11pm.

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 11.30am2pm, 5.30pm-9.30pm. brunch on weekends.

Japanese & Korean

Pop Café da Giorgio 371 Sisowath Quay Tel: 012 562 892 Sophisticated, small Italian restaurant located next to the FCC that serves light, contemporary Italian cuisine including fresh pasta and pizzas. Delivery service available – last orders 9.30pm. Open daily 11.30am-2.30pm, 6pm-10pm.

Fusion Sushi Cnr. Streets 47 & 84 Tel: 023 986 114 Located inside Cara Hotel this beautifully decorated restaurant dishes up excellent Japanese and Korean food.

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, 9am9pm.

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Hachi Sofitel Phnom Penh Phokeethra 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, 6.30pm10.30pm.

Kan Ji Japanese Restaurant 128f Sothearos Blvd.

Tel: 016 318 383 / 016 312 828.

Kan Ji is three floors of Japanese culinary

Pepper Lunch AEON Mall, Phnom Penh.

Tel: 015 888 178 www.pepperlunch.com.kh Tasty sound on the hot plate. Well-known beef pepper rice, curry with meat, combo menu of meat and fish. Open daily from 9am-10pm 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.

Yuzu 1 Street 360

Tel: 095 600 400.

Specialising in ramen, tempura and makisushi in chic surroundings. Open daily from 11am-10pm

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. Alley Cat is down an alley behind the National Museum.

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 7ammidnight.

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, 6pm10pm (Sunday evenings only).

Salsa Cabana Buena 46 Street 288 (between St. 57 & St. 63) Tel: 097 697 8810 Home-made Mexican and Latin food nachos, quesadillas, tacos chili, enchiladas, tapas and vegetarian food. $3 Corona, margaritas and mojitos.

Open 11am-2pm, 5pm-11pm. Closed Tuesdays.

Sunrise Taco 171 Street 63 (corner St 282) Tel: 077 85 45 45 Daily from 5pm-7pm buy 1 get 1 free margaritas. Open daily from 11am-10pm.

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 from ready-made

or DIY options. Also on offer are a vegetarian soup of the day as well as fresh-squeezed juices, yogurt and granola.

Bars The Alley Bar Street 240 ½, Phnom Penh.

Tel: 095 222 405 A big bar in a small alley. Spacious inside and with seating on the quaint alley in the open, this lounge bar and eatery is also home to live entertainment in the evenings.

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.

Bar.sito Street 240 1/2 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) Freebird 69 Street 240 Tel: 023 224 712 (See Restaurants, Mexican & Tex-Mex) Grand River Restaurant Corner of Street 178 Tel: 023 220 244 / 012 962 616 / 012 248 694 Khmer and Western Food. Variety of wines and cocktails. Happy hour 4.30pm-7.30pm. Open daily from 7ammidnight.

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.

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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 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, C especially around the ‘mini’ pool table, where Howie’s rules apply. Great rock M tunes and a timeless atmosphere, that is until it’s time to go to bed. Open Y 7pm-6am.

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K West 1 Street 154 (Cnr. Sisowath Quay), Tel: 023 214 747 (see Restaurants, French)

inspiring arts

The Library Bassac Lane, off Street 308 Tel: 095 366 243 Stocked with books, this intimate corner bar serves daiquiris, cocktails, beers and wines. The ideal place to bring out the bookworm in you. Open Tuesday to Sunday, 5pm-11pm.

Le Bar Sofitel Phnom Penh Phokeethra, 26 Sothearos Blvd. Tel: 023 999 200 A modern colonial style lobby bar with a fine selection of comfort food, tapas, champagnes, wines, premium spirits and large selection of coffees and teas.

Krom Thmey Cambodian Living Arts (CLA) works with artists and troupes across Cambodia.

Each month, we will tell one of their stories.

New to the National Museum stage, Krom Thmey is a young, energetic and skillful group, passionate about showcasing traditional Cambodian dances to both local and international audiences.

Led by Saravout Phal, professor at the Secondary School of Fine Arts, this troupe is part of Khmer Youth Culture Conservation and Protection Association. This organisation was founded in 2003, but was largely inactive until it was handed to Saravout in 2010. Since then, it has been going strong, practicing and performing traditional arts, including dance, music and opera; ceremonial, classical and popular.

“When I first started to manage this association, it was literally nothing,” Saravout says. “Luckily, I have all of the traditional materials as well as the funds to support it. Besides, because I am the professor, my students have volunteered to be performers and that was how pieces started to fall into place.”

There were, of course, many obstacles to overcome. “From creating stage costumes to finding incredible artists, these wore me out a lot,”

Saravout says. “However, my passion keeps pushing me to carve a way through, and we eventually created this troupe.”

Recently, Krom Thmey has collaborated with CLA to perform in the Traditional Dance Show at the National Museum of Cambodia.

Guests will be treated to a spectacular performance, including the famous Apsara, created by the Royal Ballet of Cambodia, as well as lesser-known items, such as the Buffalo Sacrifice Dance, the Fishing Dance and the much-loved Monkey Dance.

Saravout is extremely happy with this new opportunity; “Whenever I see both local and non-local audience come to see the show and love it, I feel very proud,” he adds.

“I would like to express my gratitude toward CLA for finding the markets for our artists. With their advice and stage set-up, we can take the show to a whole new level.”

Asked about his goal for this troupe in the next five years, Saravout says he wants to see them performing across the world, and putting Cambodian traditional dances on the international stage.

Watch Krom Thmey, presented by Cambodian Living Arts on Stage, at the National Museum of Cambodia on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday at 7pm. The performance lasts about one hour.

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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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.

Tel: 012 277 882 / 023 213 898 (See Restaurants International) Samai Distillery 9b Street 830.Tel: 023 224 143 A rum distillery by day and bar every Thursday night, this spot is popular with the cool crowd, serving up potently strong cocktails to upbeat sounds every Thursday evening. Has taken over the Elsewhere mantle of the place to be seen.

Seibur Street 308 Tel: 092 839 440 Aperitif room. Open seven days, from 5pm-11pm.

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

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.

The Tap Room Kingdom Breweries 1748, National Road 5.

Tel: 023 430 180 www.kingdombreweries.com State of the art European brewery specialising in premium pilsner. Tours of the facility are organised on a regular basis, culminating in frothy cold ones at the brewery’s bar overlooking the Tonle Sap.

Lobby Lounge 296 Mao Tse Tung Blvd, (InterContinental Hotel) Tel: 023 424 888 An elegant lounge situated in the lobby of the Intercontinental Hotel. Reasonable prices and excellent service. Open daily from 10am-11.30pm.

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

Meta House 37 Sothearos Blvd. (opposite Phnom Penh Centre) Tel: 023 218 987 / 010 312 333 www.meta-house.com Multi-media arts centre established by German film-maker Nico Mesterham has a very cool bar. Open from 2pmmidnight. Closed Mondays.

Zeppelin Bar 109C Street 51 Tel: 012 881 181 More than 1,000 vinyl albums played by well-known DJ owner in small bar.

Remarkably good food (dumping’s are great) especially late at night. Open daily 5pm-4am.

Metro Café Sisowath Quay & Street 148Tel: 023 222 275 (see Restaurants, international)

Club Love 3 Street 278, Tel: 0973 131 947 As one of the newest kids on the block, Club Love is aimed at the backbacker and spillover expat crowd looking for somewhere to dance with cheap drinks well into the early hours. Open Monday to Saturday, 11pm-4pm.

One More Pub 16E Street 294 Tel: 017 327 378 English-style bar with comfortable wooden bar stools. No hip hop or techno, only great classic 60s and 70s music. Has terracotta-tiled terrace and 3 guest rooms upstairs. Open from 5pm to late, happy hour from 5pm-7pm. Closed Sundays.

Oscar Bistro 159 Sisowath Quay Tel: 023 215 179 (see Restaurants, international) Red Bar 15 Street 308 Unassuming in appearance, Red Bar becomes rammed at weekends with the expat crowd clamouring for the cheap drinks. Popular with the journalist crowd. Open daily.

Rising Sun 20 Street 178 Tel: 012 970 718 English-style pub with reliable breakfast, meat pies and hamburgers. Has a regular following around the bar at night especially on Fridays. Great posters of British films and TV classics adorn the walls. Ideal for that touch of nostalgia and good fish and chips – though not wrapped in a newspaper. Open daily from 7am until late.

Riverside Bistro Cnr. Sisowath Quay & Street 148,

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. Semiprivate booths in a chic environment make for an unrivalled experience. Open daily from 7pm-late.

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.

Pontoon Pulse 80 Street 172 Tel: 010 300 400 As a sister club to Pontoon, and located beside the main club, Pontoon Pulse brings some of the capital’s finest electronic music to dedicated clubbers.

A cool place to chill if the main venue is getting to pumping for your tastes.

Pontoon Pulse 80 Street 172 Tel: 010 300 400 As a sister club to Pontoon, and located beside The latest addition to Pontoon and the capital’s first official after hour’s club, closing its doors at 7am, this chic space is also located adjacent to Pontoon’s main room.

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.

LISTINGS

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 welldesigned cocktails to make the night go with a swing.

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, 4pmmidnight.

Open Wine 219 Street 19 Tel: 023 233 527 Large wine shop and deli with wellpriced wines from around the world.

Has outside dining area. Open daily 7am-11pm.

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 for lunch and dinner 7 days a week. Kitchen closes at 11pm.

culture

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 Cinemas Le Cinema 218 Street 184 (French Institute) Tel: 023 213 124 100-seat cinema shows International art house and mainstream movies with occasional films in English. Children’s cinema on Saturday mornings at 10am.

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

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. Dori Thy Gallery 12R Street 256 Tel: 012 661 552 Features the black and white photographs of German photographer, Doris Boettcher. Open Saturday and Sunday 10am-6pm.

FCC Phnom Penh 363 Sisowath Quay Tel 023 724 014 This riverfront restaurant has a permanent, rotating exhibition devoted to to some of the finest reportage and photography.

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 regular 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.

Meta House 37 Sothearos Blvd.

Tel: 010 312 333 Short films, documentaries and art films

from Asia and the rest of the world screened daily. International food also served, regular DJs perform throughout the week. Open Tuesday to Sunday, 4pm-11pm – open late at weekends with DJs and parties.

Reyum Institute of Arts & Culture 47 Street 178 Tel: 023 217 149 Gallery with regular exhibitions of Cambodian artists. Part of an NGO established to preserve traditional and contemporary Cambodian art.

Sa Sa Bassac 18 Sothearos Boulevard, Upstairs.

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

Performing Arts Amrita Performing Arts 128-G9 Sothearos Blvd.

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

Apsara Arts Association 71 Street 598 Tel: 011 550 302 Organisation that promotes Cambodian arts and culture. Open from 7.30am-10.30am 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.

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

Chenla Theatre Cnr. Mao Tse Tung & Monireth Blvds.

Tel: 023 883 050

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www.culturalcenter-cambodia.com One of the capital’s major theatres, it has regular performances of theatre, dance and music.

wellness

Epic Arts 1DE0 Sothearos Blvd.

Tel: 023 998 474 www.epicarts.org.uk Organisation that uses art to empower people with disabilities.

Sovanna Phum Khmer Art Association 166 Street 99, corner of 484 Tel: 023 987 564 Theatre with performances of shadow puppetry, classical and masked dances every Friday and Saturday at 7.30pm.

HAVE YOU GOT THE STOMACH FOR IT? Phil Kelley Did you realise that you have more bacteria in your gut than cells in your body! 100 trillion microorganisms… 10 times more bacteria than the combined number of cells in the human body. In this knowledge you could really say that we are more bacteria than human.

Hippocrates said “all disease begins in the gut” and it’s taken us 2000 years to realise that he was correct.

Optimal gut function is crucial for your health and fat loss. A lot of people go their entire lives with joint pain, sleep disturbances, arthritis, fever, skin irritations, fatigue, night sweats, headaches, depression, an so on. A lot of the time I find people accept the fact that they feel ‘crappy’ and believe “such is life”. But this is not the case… All these symptoms or feelings are, for the most part, a result of poor diet and lifestyle. Ryan Andrews of Precision Nutrition puts it like this: “If Mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy.

Substitute ‘gut’ for ‘mama’ and you pretty much get the picture”. Poor gut health is a big problem in modern day society yet one of the easiest to counteract. Have you got the stomach to achieve optimal health and wellbeing?

The majority of modern day food products were unknown to our systems just 100 years ago. If you think 100 years is a long time, when we are talking about the evolution or the development of humans it’s actually like a blink of an eye.

Our guts simply can’t

handle these new foods (this is not to say that some time in the future we can’t adapt to them),and experts reason that the introduction of these new or modified foodstuffs explains the increase in allergies and food intolerances now common-place in society.

There is now a condition called Leaky Gut Syndrome (LGS). Cases are increasing but the scary thing is that a lot of people have this issue and don’t even know it. LGS is caused when there is irritation or inflammation of the gut wall, where the tight junctions between the stomachs cells loosen up and allow compounds to pass through when they shouldn’t. Hence, the gut is leaking compounds into our system/body.

Food additives, such as MSG can influence the junctions of the gut and weaken their bonds, exposing you to all types of nasty pathogens. Stress is another major player in the cause of leaky gut syndrome along with antibiotics, malnutrition and foodstuffs like gluten, casein, lectins, and fructose.

Experts agree that a healthy gut barrier depends on good levels of intestinal bacteria, intact mucosa, and a healthy immune system. All of which are influenced through your diet and lifestyle choices.

The bottom line is that something as simple as taking care of your gut health could improve your overall health, feeling of wellbeing, and appearance. Have you been nice to your gut lately?

Phil is a health practitioner and expert in body transformation. His services are available at Star Fitness (starfitnesssaigon.com), online or at your home.

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LISTINGS

leisure & wellness 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.

Living Arts Experiences 128-G9 Sothearos Blvd.

Tel: 018 998 570 Email: events@cambodianlivingarts.org Visit local dance, theatre and musical rehearsals of the traditional Khmer arts through Cambodian Living Arts’ Observation Tours. Available in Siem Ream, Phnom Penh & Kampong Speu call for times and to book in advance.

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.

Boat Cruises The Butterfly Cambodia Tel: 012 602 955 thebutterflycambodia@gmail.com Cambodian river adventures, sunset cruises, birthdays and events to floating villages, Silk Island. Plan your trip, per hour, half-day and full-day rates available.

Classes Equestrian Centre CCC, Street 2004, Group 6 Toeuk Thla Tel: 015 231 755 / 012 704 759 With 31 ponies and horses, an international-sized arena and spacious stables, the only horse-riding centre in Phnom Penh Tuesdays to Sundays, 9am-11am and 2pm-5.30pm.

Global Art 1 Street 181 & Street 475 (nr Chinese Embassy) Tel: 023 222 084 / 087 222 084 World renowned art and creativity programme for young children.

Franchisee of Global Art Group. Available in 17 countries with more than 400

centres. worldwide.

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 6am10pm.

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 airconditioned 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.

Ocarina French Music and Art School 56 Street 350, BKK3 (near Toul Sleng) Tel: 089 257 430 www.ecole-ocarina.com The only French Music and Art school offering a wide range of high-standard after-school activities/Holiday camps/ French playgroups by experienced and qualified teachers in a warm and cosy environment. Age: 3 to 17. Based on the renowned French Conservatories’ music curriculum.

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 9am6pm, 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 8am-10pm.

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 nonguests. Open 6am-10pm.

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.

Cambodia

Dragon Roll

Executive Chef Toshio Fujita

Sake with Blowfish fin

Freshness Japanese Food Casual Sushi bar with the hands of Japanese Chef absolutely fresh quality! www. cafesushizen.com

Cafe sushi cambodia

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 6am10pm Mon-Fri, 8am-10pm Sat-Sun.

Hairdressers De Gran Japan 52 Street 306 near Monivong Blvd. www.degranjapan.com Tel: 011 354 700 (Reservation only) Set in a nice villa with highly skilled and experienced experts from Japan, focusing on haircuts, nails, eyelash extensions, reflexology and acupuncture.

Open Wednesday to Monday from 10am-7pm.

The Dollhouse 46AE0 Street 322 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 11am-7pm, 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.

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Offering all hair services such as highlights, colour, cut, Brazilian Keratin Treatment and more. International hairdresser. OpenMonday to Saturday, 10am-8pm,

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.

Grow Tokyo 1st Floor St. 63 corner Street 322 Tel: 023 987 330 Look good and feel good with a team of top professionals. Grow is an expanding hair salon that started life in Japan and spread to Australia and now Cambodia.

The creative team is waiting to make clients feel great.

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.

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

pets’ corner

Medical

American Medical Centre Ground Floor Cambodiana Hotel 313 Sisowath Quay Tel: 023 991 863 Led by American surgeon, team of

Ringworm in Dogs and Cats I

By Donabelle Zuzart

Bringing you Back Pain Solutions Dr Christophe Savouré D.C. 1993 graduate from LCCW (USA)

A state of the art Chiropractic clinic Advanced Chiropractic care DTS Disc decompression therapy Physiotherapy modalities Custom made corrective foot orthotics Ergonomic and exercise management Wellness care 0,

023 223 101

E: info@cambodiachiropractic.com W: www.cambodiachiropractic.com #67 Bis St.240 (near Monivong Blvd),Phnom Penh 70 AsiaLIFE Cambodia

Have you ever wondered what ringworm is? If your pet has it or if it is contagious from pets to humans?

Ringworm is not a worm, or even caused by a worm. It is in fact caused by a parasitic fungal infection on the top layers of skin, hair, and/or nails (claws). The kinds of fungi that cause this ringworm are called dermatophytes, and the most common found in pets is microsporum gypseum.

While this is generally harmless, it is highly contagious to humans, especially children, the elderly and anyone with a low immune system, such as people undergoing chemotherapy.

Due to their fur coats it is sometimes difficult to identify the symptoms. In more serious cases, you might notice accumulation of surface skin cells as seen in dandruff (scaling), poor hair coat, reddened skin (erythema) on the head, chest, forelegs and the ridge of the back, darkened skin (hyperpigmentation), itchiness (pruritus), loss of hair (alopecia) on the head, tail or the ridge of the dog or cat’s back, which may be patchy or circular.

Other indications in dogs that are readily apparent on the skin are raised, rounded (nodular) lesions known as granulomatous

lesions, or boils, and raised nodular lesions that frequently ooze (kerions).

There may also be inflammation of the claw folds – the folds of skin bordering the nail, and medically referred to as paronychia. However in humans, ringworm is commonly identified as a red and itchy skin lesion in the shape of a ring.

Pets commonly develop ringworm because of the infections in the fungi microsporum canis, microsoprum gypseum and trichophyton mentagrophytes.

The correct diagnosis of ringworm in pets is important so it can be treated in the correct manner. A thorough examination of your pet should be carried out to find any skin lesions and scaling that may typically occur with ringworm. Your vet will perform a fungal culture of skin clippings, a microscopic examination of a sample hair, and possibly a skin biopsy.

If you know your pet or another person has ringworm, avoid the following: • Skin-to-skin contact.

• Sharing towels, sports gear or clothing.

• Contact with infected household items, such as a brush, pet clothing, towels and furniture.

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.

international and Khmer doctors provide general practice services to clients. Can arrange emergency evacuation. 24/7 service.

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

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

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

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

Physiotherapy Phnom Penh I & II 45C Street 456, Toul Thom Poung II Office 311, 3/F 60 Monivong Blvd Tel: 023 996345 Tel: 092 485 593 Tel: 012 722 104 Tel: 012 979 354 International Physiotherapy and Acupuncture (T.C.M.) Centre Specialising in Manual Therapy, Rehabilitation and (sports) Physiotherapy, Neurological (Paediatric) Physical Therapy, Acupuncture, Personal Training and Clinical Pilates.

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

Younger Cosmetic Acupuncture Himawari Hotel Tel: 023 21 45 55 (Ext 880)/ 017 983 409 www.cambodiaacupuncture.com Helping people to feel and look better with a holistic approach to health and beauty. Treatments include cosmetic acupuncture, face lift, weight loss.

Pain Management (Back Pain, Neck Pain…) and Emotional Disorder (Stress, Insomnia) $25 all treatments. Open Monday to -Friday 8.30am- 11.30am and 12.30pm-7pm, Saturday 9am-noon.

Optics Grand Optics 11 Norodom Bvd. 337 Monivong Blvd.

150 Sihanouk Blvd.

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

Pet Services Agrovet Veterinary Clinic 40 Street 111 Tel: 023 216 323 Tel emergency 24/7: 012 779 673 (FrenchEng) 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.

Only Dogs Shop

5A2 Street Veng Sreng (Chom Choa) Phnom Penh Tel: 092 206 547 Tel: 012 870 280 www.onlydogsshopcambodia.com Open daily from 9am-6pm.

education hub

Pet Grooming Cambodia 4 Street 604, Bengkak 2 Toul Kork Tel: 089 491 039 Email: petgroomingcambodia@gmail.com Open Mon-Sat from 9am–6pm Pet Resort Tel: 012 679 164 Tel: 012 916 512 www.petresort-cambodia.com All the staff are very friendly with animals and your cats and dogs will feel at home in our Pet Resort. Cats and dogs are fed

by Royal Canin dry feed or can be fed by fresh food according to owner’s desires or recommendations; staff can cook specific feed for your companions.

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.

Bi Nail Salon 213a E0 Stret 310 Tel: 023 6324 524 / 097 798 1122 Bi Nail is a full service nail salon, for women and men. Japanese-trained nail artists have years of experience and provide expert personal care in a quiet and relaxing atmosphere. Full set care (manicure and pedicure), more than 250 nail lacquers, more than 350 nail design samples. Acrylic and gel nails are available. Open daily 8am–7pm.

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

School Uniform

By Poppy Nguyen Eastwood The question every student ask at least once is ‘‘Why do we need a school uniform?’’ or ‘‘Why don’t we have a school uniform?’’ It is a debatable subject. Some see it as an item of unity, arguing that it is what makes the school a community, whilst others perceive it to be a pointless part of education and is seen as a rather useless tradition.

It all began in England, around the 13th century, when Cambridge University adopted the dress code, against protests from their students.

It became an acquired status symbol.

In the US, the concept was taken up by private schools around the 1900s and used in public schools in the 1980s.

The world followed, save from a few countries like France.

A fair number of students complain about their uniform.

They want to be able to choose their own clothes, and not resemble everyone else.

What you wear is usually a demonstration of personal identity. Some studies have found that they feel it supresses their freedom of expression and encourages conformity rather than uniqueness.

However, believe it or not, being dressed like everyone else has its advantages.

School uniforms can eliminate

bullying and can help equality among peers. Some have been teased for not wearing brand-named clothes or adorning something cheap and un-trendy. Being a student of the French School, I don’t wear a school uniform, and I feel lucky to report I have never noticed or been subject to ridicule of fashion.

Also, wearing a uniform has its benefits on the student’s aptitude in class. It is said that it can be linked to them working harder as they are ‘’dressed for the part’’.

Indeed, some research shows that because a student wears a school uniform, it encourages them to study.

There are often ‘dress codes’ for different aspects of our lives, whether it be professional or social. For example, I wouldn’t go to a wedding in a pair of jeans! So, why not for school?

I have never worn a school uniform so I don’t really know what it’s like. However, I really enjoy wearing what I choose, and wearing it the way I want to! Even without a uniform we have ‘rules’ on what is considered acceptable and unacceptable attire.

For girls, and possibly boys, wearing a uniform could definitely solve the problem of not knowing what to wear in the mornings.

Poppy Nguyen Eastwood is a Grade 10 student at Lycée Français International Marguerite Duras.

AsiaLIFE Cambodia 71

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.

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.

Sun Heang

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

Derma-MK Skin Center 183 Street 63 Tel: 023 219 105 Focused on Dermalogica products, this care facility offers facial treatments, including anti-aging and brightening, as well as body treatments such as body scrubs and massage. Open daily from 10am–7pm.

La Rose Spa 164b Norodom Blvd.

Tel: 023 211 130 / 080 900 900 www.larose.com.kh Professional, experienced, qualified therapists offer a tailor-made range of remedial, relaxation and nutritional advice. High-end natural products and a wide range of homeopathic remedies, creams, flower essences and signature

72 AsiaLIFE Cambodia

organic massage oils.

Ms Chhuon 182, St 63, junction St 294 Tel: 016 992 199 Ms Chhuon is a full service beauty salon with massage therapy. From nail art, to hairstyles, we will take care of your health and beauty in a very relaxing environment with great service. O.P.I products are available on demand.

Open daily from 8am-12am Nail Holic Street 592, Tuol Kork (Next to Indrak Tevy High School) Tel: 012 357 887 / 097 4123 337 Nail polish and pedicure services using products from Korea. Comfortable chairs in relaxing surroundings with professional, hospitable and friendly staff speaking Khmer, Korean and English.

Open daily from 8am-6pm.

So SPA Sofitel Phnom Penh Phokeethra.

Tel: 023 999 200 Be pampered with the best and most effective health and beauty treatments for outstanding deep rejuvenation. Explore a new kind of spa experience with a wide range of poetic and surprising treatments. Open daily from 10am10pm.

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: 023 721 765 / 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 Phnom Penh Social Rugby Club BKK Field, street 380.

Email: phnompenhrugby@gmail.com Touch rugby on Tuesday nights 7:309pm, Saturdays 3-5pm. Contact Rugby Wednesday nights 7:30-9pm, Saturday 2-3pm.

Phnom Penh Water Park 50 Street 110 Tel: 023 881 008 Traditional mix of slides and wave pools is open daily from 9.30am to 5.30pm.

Yoga For Life 126 Street 19 Tel: 077589458 Learn to release stress and tension, find peace and live a healthy life with yoga classes taught by yoga and massage virtuoso, Azmi Samdjaga from Singapore.

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

kids’ corner

Rebuilding Your Child’s Trust Anna Glazkova So we were about to take the “steepest train in the world” in the Blue Mountains, Australia, and my son started to behave in the weirdest way I could imagine.

I thought he might be scared of getting on that train, so I calmly took a seat inside and reached my hand out to him, saying: “It is OK, you can trust me. I am your mother; I would never make you get on this ride if I knew it was dangerous in any way.” To what he yelled back at me: “I don`t trust you, you got me on that roller coaster.”

Right on spot I found this reaction hilarious, and even funny. But thinking of it, I did not realise that that day, six months ago in Hong Kong Disneyland, my child might have lost trust in me because I believed that the roller coaster was a smooth one, but it wasn`t really.

We got onto it, and were badly surprised when it went backwards and we both felt sick afterward. He never talked to me about it, so I could not imagine what kind of impact that incident could leave on him, and even less that one day it was going to get an outburst in such a way.

I took it very personally first, felt guilty and tried to fix the problem. Feeling guilty and trying to cover up with gifts for a mistake is not the

right thing to do, trust me (on this one). I had a tendency to forget that children were irrational, illogical and not being even-tempered. Even though the hurt in this case was very personal to me, I finally managed to separate the outbursts from the core emotion and issue.

What I had to do was to stick with my regular way of parenting and the routines.

I showed my son that I was trying to be the best parent I could at that very moment.

I kept talking to him, as I know how communication is critical in the times of turbulences. And I kept listening too, especially listening in between the words, to understand what the real issue was.

Remember that any “warning” behaviour your child might have has an underlying issue. Once you re-establish trust between you and your child, and identify the real problem, then you can work on a long term repair.

Mistakes in parenting do happen, each parent does at times have to rebuild trust with a child. Whether your child is school age or a teenager, focusing on being the consistent, thoughtful parent you are at your core can help both of you move beyond the hurt to a stronger parent-child bond.

Anna Glazkova is a mother to 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 prenatal, regular and radiant child yoga programmes.

family

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.

Monkey Business 2/F, Paragon Department Store Tel: 023 319 319 Kids can rejoice now that this indoor children’s play centre offers clean, safe facilities. Available for private parties.

Open daily 9am-8pm.

Phnom Tamao Wildlife Park Phnom Tamao Cambodia’s best wildlife centre. All the animals are either rescued from traders or bred at the centre. Many of the animals are critically endangered.

Open 8am-4pm.

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.

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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, nonsectarian 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.

Lycée Français René Descartes Street 96 Tel: 023 722 044 French school offering primary and secondary level education, extracurricular activities include basketball, football, rugby.

Nira International School 17B Street 105 Tel: 023 454 5006 / 023 454 5007 Pre-school delivers affordable, highquality, 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 fullyauthorised 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 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.

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 9.30am6.30pm.

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 parents.

Open daily, 9am-7.30pm.

Shade 7 Outdoor Living Co Ltd Showroon; Borey Chamkarmon Tel: 077 962 467 Email: david@shade7. com www.shade7.com www.springfreetrampoline.com Supplier of Shade7 premium aluminium umbrellas and exclusive distributor of original Springfree range. World class products now available in Cambodia!

Stock in country for immediate supply.

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 onestop shop you can trust when it comes to educational needs for your children.

Willi Shop 769 Monivong Blvd Tel: 023 211 652 All products are imported from France, including bébé brand baby products, the range includes prams, baby care, cots and toys. Open 8am-8pm.

business & services Advertising APlus Asia Network 104 Street 273 Tel: 023 864 438 Fully-fledged advertising agency with a diverse portfolio of clients, offering a wide array of creative solutions to drive your brand message across all media.

River Orchid 25 Street 566, Phnom Penh. pick@riverorchid.com Offers a range of advertising, media, digital, PR and research services across the region.

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 Bill Grant Landscape Design Tel: 012 932 225 / 012 738 134 The city’s most talented landscape designer.

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: 023 220 873 / 012 558 000 / 092 660 746 Boutique interior design shop offering advice on architectural work and interior design, as well as providing custommade furniture, home accessories, and kitchenware, lighting and bedroom

suites. Open 9am-6pm, closed Sun.

Tel: 023 964 455.

foreign delegates.

Lorenzo Martini Interiors Tel: 012 773 514 www.lorenzo-martini.com The studio provides services ranging from interior design to property development concept. Looking at interiors as living experiences, Lorenzo Martini ensure their designs are tailor made to clients.

EuroCham Preah Ang Makhak Vann, Phnom Penh. Tel: 023 964 141.

Commercial Banks

The Room Design Studio 9AB Street 288 Tel: 023 992 620 Interior design and architectural company that has 12 years’ experience of designing flats, villas, offices, shops, homes and offices in Asia.

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.”

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.

services

LISTINGS

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.

Asia Vehicle Rental 27 Street 134 Tel: 078 666 557 www.avrcambodia.com With the motto “leave your driving to us”, this rental service offers sedans, pick-ups, SUVs and minibuses in 2WD or 4WD for self-drive or with driver.

Insurance offered.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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services

money matters

helping customers and employees grow, bridging them to new opportunities.

Maruhan Japan Bank 83 Norodom Blvd. Tel: 023 999 010 First Japanese bank in Phnom Penh.

IT & Software

Post-Brexit: how will your financial planning be affected?

Paul Dodd As I write this, the Brexit referendum is dominating the European news and, according to the polls, the vote to remain or leave is far too close to call.

While politicians are arguing the toss on an economic front – will Britain be stronger economically in or out of Europe? - in reality the majority of voters will be led by their views on the more emotional issues of security, border control and that political hot potato - immigration.

The vote is significant globally. By the time you read this, the geopolitical and economic landscape of not just Europe but also the world will be shifting, perhaps momentously. No sovereign member state has left the European Union before so maybe Europe will be entering unchartered waters with two years to negotiate the terms of Britain’s exit. Or perhaps the status quo will be resumed with Britain back in the fold.

Whatever the outcome of the vote, on a personal level, your financial goals will stay largely the same. The fact remains that you are still going to get old and retire, and you still need to ensure you are making personal provision for the future. This is particularly true of expats living in Asia who don’t have the discipline of a government forcing your hand and making you save for retirement. The responsibility of your pension lies with you alone.

Did you know that to fully fund a comfortable retirement you need to contribute a minimum of 15 to 20 percent

of your gross salary? Of course your future spending will depend to a degree on your current spending so if you have a taste for the high life and like to dine on caviar, sup champagne and travel the world first class you are unlikely to want to compromise when you are retired and will need even more money to sustain your lifestyle. The 15 to 20 percent figure is also for those who get started early – in their 20s. If you are older, you will need to be making larger contributions to make up for the time you have already lost.

To make the most of those savings, you need to consider where to put them. In the current volatile financial landscape, that can be tricky. Bank deposits are earning next to nothing and your money won’t be working hard for you in a savings account, yet the markets are yoyoing, which makes many of us nervous over investing in stocks.

The solution is a strategy of diversification in harmony with your time horizon (how long you have left before you retire) and your attitude to risk. There are off-the-shelf investment products, such as multi-asset portfolios, which can do the hard work for you and don’t require a PHD in investing to be successful.

A secure retirement is one of the greatest challenges most of us face. Are you rising to the challenge or are you running scared? If the latter is true, why not seek the help of a professional financial adviser and get your finances on target for the retirement you want?

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.

76 AsiaLIFE Cambodia

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 BNG Legal 64 Street 111 Tel: 023 212 671 / 023 212 740 www.bnglegal.com BNG Legal is a leading Cambodian law firm providing comprehensive legal services to foreign and local clients.

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.

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.

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

Media & Design 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.

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.

Miscellaneous Sunbird Angkor Co. Ltd. 78 Monireth Blvd.

Tel: 023 98 3333 / 023 99 1010 Email: sunbirdangkor@yahoo.co.kr Worldwide hotel reservations, car rentals,medical services, conventions and marketing. Open Mon-Fri 8am5.30pm and Sat 8am-1pm.

Post Office Main Post Office Cnr. Streets 102 & 13 Open 6.30am-9pm.

Photography AsiaMotion Tel: 092 806 117 www.asiamotion.net Photographic agency established in November 2008 as a cooperation between local and international photographers. i3 Studio Tel: 017 728 895 / 095 666 817 / 092 709 596 Photography services: event, prewedding, 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.

Printing Sok Heng Printing House 1297B Street Luo 5, Stoeung Mean Chey Tel: 011 939 255 / 012 939 255 Modern print house providing a full range of printing services. Graphic design available.

Real Estate and Property Services 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.

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.

Telecoms 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.

Emaxx Corner St 214 / Norodom Blvd. Tel: 023 999 818 Provides a national, high-quality, 4G network service for Internet and multimedia 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.

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.

Property Care Services (PCS) 2A Road 7 Tel: 017 555 203 Solution for property support services, including waste management, security, pest control and cleaning. Only company to clean high-rise windows with absailers.

Relocation, Shipping 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.

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 8.30am5.30pm (Mon-Fri), 8.30am-12pm (Sat). expat2cambodia Tel 066 200 767 www.expat2cambodia.com Personal consultant offering services from expat to expat in the client’s own language: including house hunting, healthcare and transport.

Taxi Services Choice Taxi Tel: 023 888 023 / 090 882 882 Metered taxi service with rates from US$1 for first 2km.

shopping Art Eileen’s Ceramic Painting 40B Street 310 (between St.57 & St.63) Tel: 012 267 784 Book a party for a Housewarming, Birthday, Anniversary or Reunion. We offer workshops during school and after school.

Estampe 72c street 174 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

AsiaLIFE Cambodia 77

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

Beauty Products Raffles Amrita Spa Raffles Hotel Le Royal.

Tel: 023 981 888 www.raffles.com/phnompenh Email: spa.phnompenh@raffles.com Distinctive collection of Raffles Amrita spa private label and international spa products are available for purchase.

Open 6am-10pm.

Books & CDS Carnets d’Asie French Cultural Centre, 218 Street 184.

Tel: 012 799 959 French-language bookshop has sections on Cambodia and Asia as well as general fiction, with a good range of French magazines and newspapers. Open 8am-8pm D’s Books 79 Street 240 / 12E Street 178 Tel: 012 726 355 New and used bookshops with over 20,000 original books and some copies, with a great range of best sellers. Coffee, smoothies and more available all day at Street 240. Open 9am-9pm.

Le Phnom Shop Raffles Hotel Le Royal. Tel: 023 981 888 Small shop offering books and souvenirs including recipes from the hotel’s pastry chef. Open 7am-9pm.

Monument Books 111 Norodom Blvd. Tel: 023 217 617 Extensive range of new English-language books in town including recent releases and sections on Asia, Cambodia, travel, cuisine, design and management. Good children’s section as well as a wide choice of magazines and newspapers.

Also has outlets at the airport and in Aeon Mall.

Open 7am-8.30pm.

Crafts & Furniture Artisans D’Angkor 12AEo Street 13 (in front of Post Office) Tel: 023 992 409 www.artisansdangkor.com Boutique with a wide range of traditional and contemporary handmade pieces

produced at Artisans Angkor’s workshops in Siem Reap province: silk scarves, clothing and accessories, home furnishings, lacquer paintings and tableware, stone and wooden sculptures, silver-plated ornaments and silk paintings. Special commissions and custom orders welcome. Open daily from 9am-6pm

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.

Artwood 33 Street 302 Tel: 016 934 999 www.artwood.asia Drop in to our showroom to experience modern wooden furniture designed and manufactured in Cambodia. Offers free consultations for both commercial and residential custom-made needs.

Fashion

Ashley Gallery 705Eo Monivong Blvd Tel: 023 211 116 Browse our selection of quality furnishings at amazing value. Bring your home’s interior design to the next level with well-made products with the help of our friendly and knowledgeable designers. Open daily from 8am-6pm.

DeCosy 219 Street 19 Tel: 023 219 276 Stocking charming knick-knacks and furniture, DeCosy is the place to find the things to make your house a home.

Open daily from 9am-7pm.

Indulgence Interiors 23A Street 302 Tel: 023 637 3666 / 012 586 688 Email: Indulgenceinteriors@gmail.com Sells sofas, dining sets, bed linen, curtain & lights.

Oppein 705Eo Monivong Blvd. Tel: 012 228 868 www.oppein-camodia.com Oppein is the leading cabinetry brand in Asia-Pacific, we offer high quality and affordable kitchen cabinet, wardrobe, home furniture, wooden doors, bathroom cabinets. Open daily from 8am-6pm.

Pavillon d’Asie 24, 26 Sihanouk Blvd. Tel: 012 497 217 Antique lovers dream, a large array of well-restored 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 10am7pm, closed Sunday.

PhalyCraft 37 Street 113 Tel: 016 485 857 www.phalycraft.com Located near Tuol Sleng Museum, PhalyCraft makes scarves, bags, gifts and accessories. Custom orders available.

Sinh Hak Hout Home Mart Branch I: 353ABC Mao Tse Tong Blvd.

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.

Back to the Future 193A Street 63 near the corner Street 294 Tel: 078 991 232 Old fashion is always becoming new fashion. What was fashionable before, will be fashionable again. At Back to the Future, we have an amazing selection of hand-picked, vintage items ranging from cloths, bags, shoes, and accessories. Open daily from 8am-8pm.

Bambou Indochine 7 Street 178 Tel: 023 214 720 High-quality T-shirts, Polo shirts and comfortable clothes in original designs.

A full-range 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.

Bliss 29 Street 240 Tel: 023 215 754 A beautiful colonial building houses this exquisite shop with funky patterned cushions, quilts and an excellent clothing line. The health spa at the back of the shop also sells Spana beauty products.

Open from 9am-9pm (closed Mondays).

Central Mall Phnom Penh 10 Street 67 Tel: 023 966 300 centralmallphnompenh.com A modern and stylish multi-brand department store concept in the heart of Phnom Penh, bringing authentic and premium international names right to your doorstep.

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.

Dara Shoes 10 Street 166 (near corner Street 107) Tel: 012 855 173 / 097 809 743 Good quality shoes, boots, bags, belts and leather products made to order.

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

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loose gemstones. New Zealand/Khmer ownership. All manufacturing done in Cambodia. Open 9am-7pm.

Jasmine Boutique 73 Street 240 Tel: 023 223 103 www.jasmineboutique.net Established in 2001 by Kellianne Karatau and Cassandra McMillan, this boutique creates its own collection of designs twice a year using hand-woven Cambodian silk. Open 8am-6pm.

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.

Kool As U 141 Street 19 (north of Street 172) Tel: 012 735 991 www.koolasu.com Specialises in men’s fashion with all clothes designed and made by Khmers.

The clothing is casual, but designed for partying or work. Business Hours: Tuesday-Sunday from 9am-7pm.

La Clef de Sol 10 Street 208 Tel: 012 394 915 A design boutique offering home decor, women’s fashion, kids clothes, bags, accessories and continually updated design surprises. Near KFC on Norodom Blvd. Open 9am-6pm Mon–Sat. Lim Keo 9 Street 222 Tel: 012 941 643 Pret a porter by Lim Keo, son of Sylvain Lim, the master of Cambodian fashion.

Lola’s Intimates 1st Shop: 175 Street 155 (corner Street 460) 2nd Shop: 6E0, Street 5 (btw Street 110 and Street 118) Tel: 092 876 223 Offer all kinds of stylish underwear and night dresses with beautiful patterns.

Price range from $1 to $12 per item.

Opens daily from 9am-6.30pm 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.

Promesses and Kaprices 20 Street 282.

Tel: 023 993 527 Lingerie shop stocked with exclusive French and Thai undergarments. Chic, new prêt-à-porter shop Kaprices is located upstairs. Open 9am-7pm.

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.

Sobbhana Boutique 23-24 Street 144/49 Tel: 023 219 455/ 023 219 452 www.sobbhana.org A not for profit organisation founded

by Princess Norodom Marie, offering a range of colourful, handwoven silk products. Profits fund training, medical care and education of weavers.

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.

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.

tasting gallery. With around 300 wines, the boutique has more range than the supermarkets. Open 9am-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 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.

Food & Wine

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 7.30am-6.30pm, closed Sun.

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.

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.

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.

Household Goods

Camory – Premium Cookie Boutique 167 Sisowath Quay Tel: 023 224 937 Makes cookies using produce from the provinces such as cashews from Kampong Cham and Mondulkiri honey. A portion of the profits fund education for a local orphanage. Open 9am-8.30pm.

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

Subtyl 43 Street 240.

Tel: 023 992 710 www.subtyl.com Up-market boutique selling Cambodian handmade women’s clothes, scarves, shoes, bags and other accessories in contemporary and interesting designs, the Subtyl collection combines class with colour. ChilliKids children’s clothing is also stocked at the shop. Open 9am-7pm.

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

Red Apron 15-17 Eo Street 240 Tel: 023 990 951 Home of wine enthusiasts in Phnom Penh is both a wine boutique and

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 8am-9pm & Siem Reap 9am-10pm.

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.

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.

PHNOM PENH 023 211701 Downtown: #08E0, Str. 57 Phnom Penh International Airport SIEM REAP 063 964343 Downtown: The Alley West (near Pub Street) Siem Reap International Airport www.smateria.com

AsiaLIFE Cambodia 79

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AsiaLIFE Cambodia 81

Mission Muoy Roy Fed up with rogue 100 riel notes taking up drawer space, Alicia Guthert decided to put them to good use. And now she is urging AsiaLIFE readers to do the same.

E

xpats’ drawers across Cambodia can often be found stuffed full of forgotten 100 riel notes. If you’ve ever wondered what to do with them, then why not hand them over and make a difference?

Now in its second year, Mission Muoy Roy is making a return, and is even bigger and better than before. Launched last year with the aim of encouraging people to hand over their 100 riel bills to a good cause, fund-raisers were given a month to donate their dosh.

Organiser Alicia Guthert had the brainwave last year while sifting through the stacks of 100 riels at home. “I had so many of them and had been thinking a lot about doing something for a good cause so I came up with the idea,” the MAADs marketing officer says.

She approached NGO Pour un Sourire d’Enfant (PSE), who became the benefactors, and set about trying to raise cash. With limited time and resources, and despite raising, literally, stacks of cash, the total sum raised in the month-long drive came in at about $300.

But this year, Guthert has stepped up a gear and, with the help of partners, has set the target of $25,000 – the equivalent of one million 100 riel notes. Spanning 100 days from Jun. 1, this year’s mission is on a mass scale. Receiving support from a swathe of organisations, including Brains Communication, Cha Time, Legend Cinema, Sabay, CTN and Line, 2016’s quest has gone all out.

84 AsiaLIFE Cambodia

“Last year, we really only focused on expats, and we didn’t have much time or means for publicity,” says Guthert.

“This time we really want to target the local market and community. We want to empower Cambodians to feel responsible for the future of their country, especially with regard to education.”

Collection boxes have been set up in popular spots with young Khmers, such as Cha Time, which has also launched a special Mission Mouy Roy drink during the campaign, and Legend Cinema. And Cambodian-American singer and songwriter Laura Mam has also joined the crusade by starring in a TV commercial, which is being aired daily on CTN. Messaging app Line has also created promotional stickers.

“This year it’s really exciting,” says Guthert. “We have had such incredible support from so many people, and we really hope it is a success.”

With all proceeds once again going to PSE, which offers underprivileged children a new lease of life through education and training, the race is on to hit the grand target. “We would really urge people to save their 100 riel notes during the 200 days, and donate the result,” Guthert adds. “We want this to be an annual event, and to be a success each year.”

Collection boxes can be found across the city, including at Cha Time, Eric Kayser, Phnom Penh airport, Legend Cinema, via Pay & Go at ABA bank and through Wing transfer, so get saving now.

For more information, visit mission100r. com. For more information on PSE and the work it does, cisit pse.ong.

topten

endorsed

Top 10 US Grossing Films 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10

Angry Birds Captain America: Civil War Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising The Nice Guys The Jungle Book Money Monster The Darkness Zootopia The Huntsman: Winter’s War Mother’s Day

Kindle Top 10 Reads 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10

Killian: A West Bend Saints Romance by Sabrina Paige The Butterfly Garden by Dot Hutchison Me Before You: A Novel by Jojo Moyes My Sister’s Grave by Robert Dugoni Wasted Words by Staci Hart Blitzed: A Secret Baby Sports Romance by Lauren Landish

A Shade of Vampire by Bella Forrest We’re All Damaged by Matthew Norman Worth the Wait by Jamie Beck 15th Affair by James Patterson

Top 10 iTunes Downloads 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10

Can’t Stop the Feeling by Justin Timberlake One Dance by Drake Go Ahead and Break by Blake Shelton H.O.L.Y. by Florida Georgia Line Don’t Let Me Down by The Chainsmokers This is What You by Calvin Harris 7 Years by Lukas Graham Work from Home by Fifth Harmony Let it Go by James Bay NO by Meghan Trainor

Gardening. Or managing not to kill green things.

Kate Burbridge “A garden is a lovesome thing,” so begins Thomas Edward Brown’s poem, an homage to his own green plot.

A garden that seems to typify the archetypal English Country Garden. An idyll on the Eden model, not the reality that most people face, especially those living in more extreme climes, such as Cambodia.

While it is true that things grow well in the tropics, just look at the impressive range of fungi that appears from nowhere when the monsoon begins, not everything that grows is a garden – just look at the impressive range of fungi… Not everyone has space for a garden, or time, preferring to get their green space hit from a park or garden bar.

The truth is that you don’t need a lot of time, or space, to garden. Space and time are directly proportional in the greeniverse. A balcony, window box or just a ceramic pot will do. You don’t really have to have any outside space at all.

There is as much satisfaction to be derived from keeping an orchid, elephant ear or dragon tree safe from the ravages of the aircon, invading ants or your own pets and/or children, than from tending an entire, lush multispecies garden.

There is definitely a solid sense of achievement to be gained sowing, feeding, watering and tending to a small green thing (or things)

and watching them bloom and grow. And then having to find somewhere else to put them because they’ve outgrown their space, be it bed or pot.

It is possible to become quite weirdly attached to them, desperately trying to revive a flagging specimen to assuage feelings of guilt and neglect, pathetically grateful to them when the perk up and begin to flourish once more.

Plants offer more than spiritual rewards. Even on a balcony one can grow a living screen, albeit in pots, of bamboo or bougainvillea to filter prying eyes and at least a fraction of the air we see, sorry, breathe. In a larger space, a variety of palms and other trees afford shady respite from the relentless heat.

Aside from providing shelter and colour, this climate provides perfect conditions for other practical plants to thrive with really very little attention, the multifaceted aloe vera, not to mention edible ginger, chillies, pepper vines, passion fruit and of course the ubiquitous mango, to name but a fraction of the delicious flavours that even a small green space can produce.

If all this seems far too ambitious, start small. Get a pot, fill it with soil, stick something green in it and watch it unfold. I promise, once you get soil under your nails, you won’t bother with another manicure and you’ll reap the great rewards.

AsiaLIFE Cambodia 85

For this month’s AppChat, we take a look at some of the best apps to keep foodies entertained.

Tastemade (Free) |

Combining food with travel, Tastemade offers the best of both worlds. Through a network of “Tastemakers”, who are based in 22 cities around the world, Tastemade offers short, one- or twominute videos showcasing the coolest places for food lovers. From the goto restaurants and cafes, to cooking up local dishes, and snapshots of people’s travels, this app is a wealth

of information on the two topics. You can also use the app to make your own videos during your journey and create lists of the places you’ve been and those that you’re yearning to see.

So if you’re a lover of both food and travel, then get this useful app on download and learn more about your two favourite things.

Yummly (Free) |

Substitutions ($2.99) |

Tender (Free) |

Got a friend who wants to learn “What shall we eat tonight?” You’ve heard it before and you’ll hear it again. Download this intuitive and eye-catching app to browse millions of recipes by entering keywords or ingredients. Set up your taste profile and Yummly will leave out flavours or foods you don’t like – or are allergic too. When you’ve found a recipe you like, hit the ‘yum’ button (otherwise known as a thumbs-up) to show everyone which recipes come out on top. This also adds it to your own personal gallery of recipes, which can be organised into collections.

Getting hold of that final ingredient needed to make that perfect recipe can sometimes be a chore in Cambodia as imported, and even sometimes basic, products come and go like the wind. Substitutions is ideal for use in the supermarket or kitchen, providing a simple interface to key in an ingredient and be provided with a list of alternatives.

No white wine vinegar? Try cider or balsamic vinegar. Allergic to peanuts? Roasted chickpeas will work. Users can even request specific types of substitute such as low carb, vegan or gluten free.

Yes, it’s Tinder, but for food recipes.

Tender is a humorous recipes application that’s perfect for exploring and saving various recipes, all at the swipe of a finger. Accounts are created by signing in through Facebook, and once inside, users are presented with a huge variety of dishes sourced from different recipe sites across the internet.

Swipe right to save recipes to your cookbook or swipe left to pass and go on to the next one. Users can filter recommendations by category, and the app learns to filter food recommendations by your choices.

boxoffice

FINDING DORY

Pacific regal blue tang, Dory, captured hearts across the globe in the Box Office hit, Finding Nemo. Now dizzy Dory makes a return in the sequel to the 2003 Pixar success, with her own film, Finding Dory. Set six months after the first film, off the coast of California, amnesiac Dory suddenly recalls her childhood memories.

Remembering something about jewel of Morro Bay, California, accompanied by Nemo and Marlin, she sets out to find her family. Her journey takes her to Monterey Marine Life Institute, where she meets Bailey, a white beluga whale, Destiny, a whale shark, and Hank, an octopus, who becomes her guide. Finding Nemo fans can expect the return of favourite characters from the first outing, including Marlin and the Tank Gang.

TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES: OUT OF THE SHADOWS

Turtle mania looks set to step up a gear with the release Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows. Following on from the 2014 film, the Turtles comes into conflict with T.C.R.I. scientist Dr Baxter Stockman and the return of enemy, The Shredder, who has hired Stockman to create mutants of his own to even the score. It is during this time that the Turtles discover a RetroMutagen in the hope that they can become humans. When an extra-terrestrial invasion above New York City, led by the Dimension X inhabitant known as Krang, hits, the Turtles are forced out of the shadows to protect their homes. To succeed, they are joined their Master Splinter, their April O’Neil, Vern Fenwick, and new friend, vigilante Casey Jones.

CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE

INDEPENDENCE DAY RESURGENCE

For a slice of action comedy, Central Intelligence should do the trick. The plot follows protagonist Bob Stone (Dwayne Johnson), a one-time bullied overweight geek who grew up to be a lethal CIA agent. He returns home to attend the dreaded high school reunion, and claiming to be on a topsecret case, he enlists the help of the former “big man on campus”, Calvin (Kevin Hart).

An accountant who misses his glory days, Calvin is eager to embark on an adventure to save the world. But before the numbers-cruncher realises what he’s getting into, it’s too late to get out, as his unpredictable new friend drags him through a world of shoot-outs, doublecrosses and espionage that could get them killed in more ways than he can count.

Completing a month of sequels, the follow-up to the 1996 smash hit, Independence Day, continues the story two decades after the events of the first film.

The international community recovers and creates the Earth Space Defence (ESD), a united global defence programme that serves as Earth’s early warning system and the main defence force using technology salvaged from remains of the alien forces.

However, the aliens were able to send a distress signal to their other battalions before their final defeat while others went into hiding elsewhere around the world . The aliens in deep space received the signal and sent a larger and more powerful battle fleet, threatening the human race once more. This time, they come with a special powerful machine.

COMING SOON MOVIE RELEASES Platinum See platinumcineplex.com/kh for screening schedule Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Jun. 01 Conjuring 2 Jun. 10 Now You See Me 2 Jun. 17 Independence Day Resurgence Jun. 23 The Purge 3 Jun. 30

Legend Cinemas See legend-cinemas.com for screening schedule Me Before You Jun. 06 Jeruzalem Jun. 09 Yoga Hozers Jun. 16 Finding Dory Jun. 16 Central Intelligence Jun. 30

AsiaLIFE Cambodia 87

- Brainbusters quiz master Mr Doods presents -

Brainbuster trivia

I - HISTORY 1. In which modern day country was Troy located?

2. Which important figure in the Russian revolution died in 1917 after allegedly surviving a stabbing, a poisoning, and two bullet wounds before being battered by a candlestick holder, shot again and then thrown in a river?

3. Che Guevara was murdered in 1967 whilst assisting revolution in which country?

4. Which US president declared that the Vietnam war was over in 1975?

5. In which century did the Roman Empire collapse after the fall of Constantinople?

II - ENTERTAINMENT 1. Which US president declared that the American war was over in 1975?

2. Taylor Swift’s song Bad Blood is said to be about a conflict between her and which other popstar?

3. After beating South Africa in the Rugby World Cup, Japan lost their next match. Who was it against?

9

7 2

2. What is the newest declared independent country in Asia?

3. If you were to put all of the world’s capital cities in alphabetical order, what would be last?

2 9

3

2

3

7

9

6

7

8 3

4 4

1

4

9

II - GEOGRAPHY 1. What is the name of the line that runs north to south in the Pacific Ocean and is used to differentiate between one day and the next?

6

8

4. Elegantly Wasted was the last album before which lead singers band died?

5. Who is the only actor who has won an Oscar for Best Actor three times?

5

8 1

6

9

6 7

7

1

5 4

6

5

1

2

4. Which is furthest south? The Tropic of Cancer or the Tropic of Capricorn?

Greenland belongs to which European country?

History: Turkey, Rasputin, Bolivia, Gerald Ford, 15th.

Entertainment: Christopher Waltz, Katy Perry, Scotland, INXS, Daniel Day-Lewis.

Geography: International Date Line, East Timor, Zagreb, Tropic of Capricorn, Denmark.

5.

Pub Quiz Answers

88 AsiaLIFE Cambodia