Blogs from Siem Reap, North, Cambodia, Asia - page 6

This week I had the privilege of seeing the Phare show. They call it a circus (which I could not attend due to animal love and standards), but what it is is the most incredible acrobatically, musically entertaining displays EVER! The show they did was called Same Same But Differentwhich "explores the different habits and ways of living between Cambodians and foreign visitors." I laughed so hard and had my jaw drop at the strength, athleticism and poise of these individuals. This company is actually pretty amazing outside of their stunts and music compositions. They tell Cambodian stories and all artists (musicians, circus artists, and dancers) all graduated from Phare Ponleu Selpak which is an NGO school and professional arts training center located in Cambodia. The school was founded in 1994 by nine Cambodian men returning ... read more

The best analogy I have is Siem Reap is like Disneyland. Millions flock into Disneyland every year and leave California without seeing much beyond their hotel, the streets to the park and Disneyland. If they said, "I know California because I went to Disneyland," I would laugh. Siem Reap is a tourist bubble within Cambodia. Every year about 2 million people visit Siem Reap because it is the closest city to Angkor Wat. Angkor Wat is the world's largest religious monument and since it was built over 800 years ago, it is kind of a big deal. The large flux of people, has resulted in the creation of hundreds of resorts, hotels and guesthouses which are largely owned by foreign investors. There is also not a lot to do in the surrounding area outside of the ... read more

Welcome home” is the greeting that meets you by Kol, your newest family member, as you walk out of the small Siem Reap International airport and locate your name on a sign. A dynamic, good looking Cambodian with a heart of gold is how you will always remember Kol. He is just the start of something fantastic in Siem Reap. You jump into the air-conditioned van with Kol who hands you a small platter of ice cold fruit on toothpicks and even colder waters in metal drink bottles, and so the journey begins. Along the way, Kol tells you all you need to know about Siem Reap and Jaya House RiverPark Hotel where you are headed. “What would you like to drink when we arrive at the hotel?” Kol asks. “Wine, beer, maybe a cocktail?”. My ... read more

Siem Reap Slightly tense moment at Da Nang airport as we realised we hadn’t paid for our luggage to come with us to Cambodia. Very kindly the Airline allowed us to shell out $120 and the cases made it. Arriving at the hotel we were advised that there was a Water festival going on and the local entertainment area ‘Pub Street’ might be a bit noisy. A bit noisy! After listening to a thumping bass from about a mile away till 5.00 in the morning - we managed to get a couple of hours sleep before breakfast. Welcome to Cambodia! Apparently we are near ‘pub’ street which made Magaluf seem like a sleepy suburb. Next morning was fairly lazy then we went on a half day tour around some of the temples - avoiding Angkor Wat ... read more

So wonderful to be back, feels like coming home! How fortunate I am to have a wonderful but totally different life on two different continents. Disembarking the plane to the wall of heat and strange sounds and smells, makes you realize right away that you are indeed in Cambodia. I am now finding it very hard to believe that I have been here for 11 days already and arrival is but a distant memory. So much has happened in that time. I had a very warm welcome at the school and more hugs than I ever imagined possible. Really rewarding that so many of the children remembered me by name. So glad to be back. I will not be doing much in the classroom this time, I have taken on the role of volunteer coordinator, so ... read more