Zelephants & Silk Worms!


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Asia » Cambodia
February 14th 2013
Published: February 17th 2013
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Our Mural WallOur Mural WallOur Mural Wall

At last it's underway!
Not a lot to report this week, so I have included some random photos taken around Siem Reap. I never leave home without my camera. The day that I do, will be the day I miss the photo of a lifetime.

Monday was a fairly ordinary day. We did what we had to do at school and stayed in during the evening. On Tuesday, we decided it was time to start putting the top coat on our mural wall. We wanted new brushes so walked with two new volunteers, Laura and Thomas, to the village. We showed them through the local market, brought our brushes and returned to school

I decided to paint through the three hour break, between 11-2pm, to get as much done as possible whilst no one was around. Ginny had a hairdressing appointment at 11.15 so couldn't stay. She had found a great French hairdresser at the Prince D'Angkor Hotel/Spa and reappeared at school at 2pm looking fabulous! Marvellous what good cut and colour can do...

I was still painting and determined to get the first coat finished, which I did. I then took an early mark and went home as I hadn't had lunch and was
The Zelephant!The Zelephant!The Zelephant!

Ginny couldn't help herself. It's 4.30pm on Friday afternoon, and she is painting the first stripes on our Zelephant!
hot and sweaty from working in the sun. Ginny took over after I left, and painted the window shutters, so now the first coat is completely finished.

On Wednesday we got the second base coat on the wall. Now we can start planning our mural in earnest. We wanted to get some ideas onto the wall, although we already had a rough idea of what we wanted to create. I bought a big box of white chalk to use because it was easy to wipe off. We needed to get an idea of size and scale, so we all grabbed a stick of chalk and started getting our ideas up there. Lots of ideas were drawn and just as many wiped off. We have been given free reign on design, the only stipulation being that the kids could identify with it and that it included Tammy's words - 'I Know I Can...Be What I Want To Be!' Certainly not too hard to do. Our original flower garden idea has now become a jungle complete with an elephant and monkeys. We have bamboo plants, snakes, birds and lots of greenery. One of the students drew the outline of a big
Local Paint ShopLocal Paint ShopLocal Paint Shop

This is where we buy our paints.
elephant, and it kind of grew from there.

Thursday was more of the same, we have definitely settled into the routine of school five days a week. Today we worked on the mural again. We drew the outlines of the design we were happy with in lead pencil so they wouldn't be rubbed off by kids leaning against the wall. Another volunteer, Laura from Wales, was interested in helping and proved herself to be very apt at drawing monkeys. Go Laura, we need all the help we can get! Keeping in mind the 'I can be what I want to be' theme we have decided to go all out and be a little different. So our elephant has been renamed a 'Zelephant' and will be white with zebra stripes! He is also wearing a top hat and has a paint brush in his trunk. Tammy has asked that one of the monkeys be pink, in keeping with the pink monkey soft toy kept in the office, a cuddle toy for kids not feeling well. Zelephants and pink monkeys? Well, why not?

It's Friday, last day of the school week for us! We didn't seem to get a lot
Siem Reap StyleSiem Reap StyleSiem Reap Style

I've been busy with an app on my iPad to create more interest in this fashion shot!
done today, despite being released from class when the kids were called out to sports.
We needed to buy some small pots of paint to use on our mural, but can only find high gloss enamel when we need low sheen acrylic. Bother, bother, bother! So we ordered a tuk tuk and decided to go back to the paint shop we visited with Tammy a week ago. They had primary colours available in 250ml, for $1.00 each, so we grabbed those. They would mix any colour we wanted but one litre was the smallest size. So, we ended up buying powder pigment, 100 gram per colour, and we'll try mixing our own. This will be a hit and miss affair but we'll have some fun!

Back to school with half an hour to spare before home time and Ginny is opening a can of black paint! Armed with a tiny brush, she just has to see how the zebra stripes are going to look...

Friday night finds us at Chilli Si Dang Cafe Bar, ready for another trivia night. Most of ABC's & Rice staff were there as well, in support. Tonight funds are being raised for the children
More Siem Reap StyleMore Siem Reap StyleMore Siem Reap Style

Again I've left the background black & white. It makes the items I was photographing stand out more.
who live at the Landmine Museum. We had a good night, but drew a blank in the raffles again. Such is life!

It's the weekend! Yep, we still love our weekends. No real plans, we had a couple of vintage shops we wanted to visit and a new market to track down, so we put on our helmets and hit the road on our trusty cycles around 9.00am. Not much luck with the vintage shops, the first one was overpriced and the other opens at 5.00pm. We'll call back, as it's only ten minutes from Pub Street. Finding the new market was more of a challenge. We had one false start and ended up finding Angkor Wat in Miniature instead, which was interesting. We paid our $1.50 entrance fee to the lady sitting in the street and spent an interesting half hour looking around. This replica has been built by a local master sculptor and is on display in his garden, as such. The place was a mess but we enjoyed poking around and taking photos.

So, back on our bikes, we still have the new market to track down, and it was further away than we first thought.
Needs Must!Needs Must!Needs Must!

Sometimes I can't believe the stuff people carry in their cars, or worse still, on their scooters.
Thankfully, we had a brochure with a small map to help us. We ended up back on the main road to Angkor Wat. We took a right turn in front of the Kantha Bopha Hospital, crossed over the river, and found the market 200 metres further down the street. This market has only been in operation for two months, and has very few visitors as yet. It is called the AHA Market, meaning the Angkor Handicraft Association, and sells only items handmade in Siem Reap Province. Every item bears a Seal of Authenticity, which has recently been introduced for locally produced handicraft. There are still vacant stands here but I'm sure they will fill as the market becomes better known. We both purchased items here at very reasonable prices.

Every year tourists spend about US $70million on souvenirs in Siem Reap Province. The majority of these are imported from China, Thailand and Vietnam. Most of us would prefer to buy locally produced items but are unable to identify the origin of most stuff on sale. The new Seal of Authenticity will go a long way to help tourists identify, and hopefully purchase, locally made handicrafts. On the way back
Buddha StatueBuddha StatueBuddha Statue

This Buddha guards the entrance to the pagoda opposite the King's Residence.
into town we stopped at the Shiva Angkor Gallery, a business so new it still smelt of paint. They had beautiful statues and silver jewellery there. You would swear the statues were ancient, particularly those made from old trees but they are all hand carved reproductions, absolutely beautiful work. Ginny purchased some jewellery - a pair of ear rings for herself and a couple of gifts to take home.

We cycled into pub Street, the main attraction being a stopover at The Blue Pumpkin for fruit smoothies and half an hour in their air conditioning. Then we headed home for a cold shower and a lazy afternoon, well deserved after three hours of cycling in the heat.

Around 5.30pm we headed out again, this time on foot. We decided to go back to the Vintage shop and then find somewhere for dinner. We took a roundabout route, walking down streets we'd not been down before, and unexpectedly ended up outside the Vintage shop from a different direction. It was closed! Never mind, we continued exploring down alleyways and found ourselves at the door of Miss Wong's Cocktail Bar.

This place comes highly recommended by Lonely Planet and
Overcrowded Ute!Overcrowded Ute!Overcrowded Ute!

What can I say? We just shake our heads.. I counted 14 people in the back and the cabin was full too.
carries you back to the chic of 1920's Shanghai with it's lush red and gold decor, paintings and artifacts. We were escorted inside and seated at a table. The menus were fan shaped with a picture of Miss Wong on the front, a nice touch. Only a small selection of meals to choose from (the cocktail menu was much larger). Ginny ordered Lion's Head Beef Balls which was Aussie beef rissoles poached in chicken stock and served on a bed of braised Chinese cabbage. I ordered a steamed Chinese bun with salad, barbecued pork and smoked hoisin sauce. The waiter talked us into sharing a dessert of steamed Chinese red date pudding with caramel sauce and vanilla brownie ice cream. It was delicious. We will return here when the rest of the family arrives. Our meal cost us $23.50, including two drinks and a bottle of water. A little dearer than we would usually pay, and the dessert was a rare treat, but well worth it!

It's Friday, last day of the school week for us! We didn't seem to get a lot done today, despite being released from class when the kids were called out to sports. We
The King's ResidenceThe King's ResidenceThe King's Residence

We ride our bikes past here every day on the way to school.
needed to buy some small pots of paint to use on our mural, but can only find high gloss enamel when we need low sheen acrylic. Bother, bother, bother! So we ordered a tuk tuk and decided to go back to the paint shop we visited with Tammy a week ago.

They had primary colours available in 250ml, for $1.00 each, so we grabbed those. They would mix any colour we wanted but one litre was the smallest size. So, we ended up buying powder pigment, 100 gram per colour, and we'll try mixing our own. This will be a hit and miss affair but we'll have some fun! Back to school with half an hour to spare before home time and Ginny is opening a can of black paint! Armed with a tiny brush, she just has to see how the zebra stripes are going to look...

Friday night finds us at Chilli Si Dang Cafe Bar, ready for another trivia night. Most of ABC's & Rice staff were there as well, in support. Tonight funds are being raised for the children who live at the Landmine Museum. We had a good night, but drew a blank in
Fountain LionFountain LionFountain Lion

This is one of four lions surrounding a fountain in the gardens opposite the King's Residence.
the raffles again. Such is life!

It's the weekend! Yep, we still love our weekends. No real plans, we had a couple of vintage shops we wanted to visit and a new market to track down, so we put on our helmets and hit the road on our trusty cycles around 9.00am. Not much luck with the vintage shops, the first one was overpriced and the other opens at 5.00pm. We'll call back, as it's only ten minutes from Pub Street.

Finding the new market was more of a challenge. We had one false start and ended up finding Angkor Wat in Miniature instead, which was interesting. We paid our $1.50 entrance fee to the lady sitting in the street and spent an interesting half hour looking around. This replica has been built by a local master sculptor and is on display in his garden, as such. The place was a mess but we enjoyed poking around and taking photos.

So, back on our bikes, we still have the new market to track down, and it was further away than we first thought. Thankfully, we had a brochure with a small map to help us. We ended up
Pub St VendorPub St VendorPub St Vendor

Setting up shop on the street.
back on the main road to Angkor Wat. We took a right turn in front of the Kantha Bopha Hospital, crossed over the river, and found the market 200 metres further down the street. This market has only been in operation for two months, and has very few visitors as yet. It is called the AHA Market, meaning the Angkor Handicraft Association, and sells only items handmade in Siem Reap Province. Every item bears a Seal of Authenticity, which has recently been introduced for locally produced handicraft. There are still vacant stands here but I'm sure they will fill as the market becomes better known. We both purchased items here at very reasonable prices.

Every year tourists spend about US $70million on souvenirs in Siem Reap Province. The majority of these are imported from China, Thailand and Vietnam. Most of us would prefer to buy locally produced items but are unable to identify the origin of most stuff on sale. The new Seal of Authenticity will go a long way to help tourists identify, and hopefully purchase, locally made handicrafts.

On the way back into town we stopped at the Shiva Angkor Gallery, a business so new it
Incense SticksIncense SticksIncense Sticks

A huge pot of incense sticks, some still burning, at the entrance to the pagoda opposite the King's Residence.
still smelt of paint. They had beautiful statues and silver jewellery there. You would swear the statues were ancient, particularly those made from old trees but they are all hand carved reproductions, absolutely beautiful work. Ginny purchased some jewellery - a pair of ear rings for herself and a couple of gifts to take home.

We cycled into pub Street, the main attraction being a stopover at The Blue Pumpkin for fruit smoothies and half an hour in their air conditioning. Then we headed home for a cold shower and a lazy afternoon, well deserved after three hours of cycling in the heat.

Around 5.30pm we headed out again, this time on foot. We decided to go back to the Vintage shop and then find somewhere for dinner. We took a roundabout route, walking down streets we'd not been down before, and unexpectedly ended up outside the Vintage shop from a different direction. It was closed!

Never mind, we continued exploring down alleyways and found ourselves at the door of Miss Wong's Cocktail Bar. This place comes highly recommended by Lonely Planet and carries you back to the chic of 1920's Shanghai with it's lush red and
Cooking DinnerCooking DinnerCooking Dinner

This pot was simmering on a portable fire pit within the grounds of the pagoda.
gold decor, paintings and artifacts. We were escorted inside and seated at a table. The menus were fan shaped with a picture of Miss Wong on the front, a nice touch. Only a small selection of meals to choose from (the cocktail menu was much larger). Ginny ordered Lion's Head Beef Balls which was Aussie beef rissoles poached in chicken stock and served on a bed of braised Chinese cabbage. I ordered a steamed Chinese bun with salad, barbecued pork and smoked hoisin sauce. The waiter talked us into sharing a dessert of steamed Chinese red date pudding with caramel sauce and vanilla brownie ice cream. It was delicious. We will return here when the rest of the family arrives. Our meal cost us $23.50, including two drinks and a bottle of water. A little dearer than we would usually pay, and the dessert was a rare treat, but well worth it!

Another slow start on Sunday. Both of us woke with head colds and feeling a bit under the weather. I've been told the bacteria in the dust is responsible for a lot of illness, which I can easily believe. We didn't want to spend the day sitting
Interesting AlleywayInteresting AlleywayInteresting Alleyway

One of the interesting alleyways around Pub Street. Lots of shops and eateries down there.
at Globalteer House, so decided to cycle into town and catch the free shuttle bus from Artisans D'Angkor, and visit the silk farm. It was a pleasant couple of hours, and we learnt the process involved in harvesting silk thread from the worms and turning it into beautiful cloth. Another slow afternoon at home which I spent sorting photos on Skydrive and having a quick nap. Ginny decided to walk into town later in the afternoon and buy some groceries. Looks like another early night....


Additional photos below
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Around Pub StreetAround Pub Street
Around Pub Street

Things are hotting up around Pub Street. Lots of motorbikes..
Shoes, Shoes, Glorious Shoes!Shoes, Shoes, Glorious Shoes!
Shoes, Shoes, Glorious Shoes!

Well, I don't know about that. But lots to choose from anyway.. Taken in the Old Market.
Streets Around Siem ReapStreets Around Siem Reap
Streets Around Siem Reap

I'm always on the lookout for a good photo. I like the house in this one.
Wooden ManWooden Man
Wooden Man

I wonder how long this guy has been standing around?
Washing DayWashing Day
Washing Day

Now here's a prime example of Cambodians living their life on the footpath...?
Art and Craft MarketArt and Craft Market
Art and Craft Market

This complex is on the other side of the river to the Old Market. Easy to walk to from Pub Street.
Street Scene in Siem ReapStreet Scene in Siem Reap
Street Scene in Siem Reap

These shanties stand next to temples and impressive homes. They are anywhere and everywhere.


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