Checking out of the Hotel Sofitel Phokeethra in Phnom Penh, I asked the concierge to please get me a tuk tuk to the airport…
My balcony view included the helicopter landing area for the Hotel Sofitel Phokeethra in Phnom Penh
Just a flying visit …
Month: February 2016
It’s not discipline, it’s respect…
It’s 2016 and in South-East Asia, parents tell their children what to do. In Australia, children tell their parents what to do. This pic is of a typical family in Phnom Penh: Not unlike Australia, both mum and dad work all day – in this case making clothing in Kandal local market – and junior does his homework after school before he goes out to sell items. He grins, he is cheeky and he is wiley. But he obeys his parents without question. Cambodia is full of potential…
Mum and dad work non-stop making clothing, while their son does his school homework before helping out, at Kandal locals market in Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Qantas promises free, fast, wi-fi
Good news from Qantas: the airline will provide free, fast, onboard wi-fi on domestic flights in 2017. Qantas says the new service will be “up to 10 times faster than conventional on-board wi-fi”. Qantas CEO Alan Joyce said it would be free – presumably it will be included in the airfare rather than as an user-pays option.
“As a premium carrier, delivering value for money to our customers is extremely important to us. That’s why we’ll be offering access to wi-fi for free, on top of all the other things that are included when you fly Qantas,” Mr Joyce said.
Hopefully, Qantas budget airline subsidiary Jetstar will do the same…
More:
Reminds me of Rodin’s ‘The Thinker’.
Jetstar Asia’s Boeing 787 Dreamliner: Usually the bathroom sign is about no smoking. Obviously, this is about the “emergency brace position”…
I’ve been told to leave the seat down, but this is a first
Construction – the gateway to the future
Construction sign at Phnom Penh International Airport
Phnom Penh airport is indicative of the Cambodian capital as a whole: there is construction going on everywhere. It is an encouraging sign that the country is progressing. The unfortunate juxtaposition of this temporary sign at the airport perhaps over-emphasises the popularity of the local model in the picture. It’s more interesting, though, than the usual pics of a skyline full of building sites…
Au revoir Phnom Penh, for I’ll be back
The sun sets on my exploration of Cambodia. After half a century of suffering, this is a country full of hope. I’ll be back…
Sunset from the balcony of my king suite, Hotel Sofitel Phokeethra, Phnom Penh. It’s luxury, but I’ve never gone wrong with Accor accommodation, and I gratefully got this room at a discount rate… I’m a big fan of loyalty programs, because they benefit both the consumer and the business
Sofitel luxury in a pair of shorts
Making it up as I go – it’s the best way to travel.
That’s why I’m in a dusty, old, beaten up tuk tuk, as the unkempt driver negotiates the spotless driveway lined with manicured lawns and neatly parked BMW SUVs with attendant chauffeurs. Wearing a crumpled T-shirt, “camou” shorts, thongs, and a natty straw hat that’s seen more of the world than has President George W. Bush, I arrive at the prestigious, 5-star Hotel Sofitel Phokeethra.
A two-night stay in the Sofitel was a snap decision; a nice way to finish a month in Cambodia. I have a simple theory about travel luggage: “pack the minimum, and enjoy to the maximum”. So, my sparse collection is suited to exploring the alleyways of Phnom Penh, and lounging on the beaches of Sihanoukville. Not really for mingling with some of Asia’s most influential business leaders and development managers.
Hey, I’m happy with wearing comfy clothes, if others don’t like it, that’s their problem. But no hassles… the disarmingly charming check-in staff dismiss my haute couture concerns with a wave of the hand and a big smile. “You are here on holiday, so just enjoy yourself. We welcome holidaymakers as well as business travellers. So relax and enjoy!” Marketing Manager Alexia Brun tells me.
I’m not one to knock back good advice, so enjoy myself I do. Just look at that Sofitel swimming pool – it’s a good thing I packed my bathers…
The guests’ swimming pool at the Hotel Sofitel Phokeethra, Phnom Penh
Reckon they’ll let me do a dive bomb? The guests’ swimming pool at the Hotel Sofitel Phokeethra, Phnom Penh
The guests’ swimming pool at the Hotel Sofitel Phokeethra, Phnom Penh
A water feature at the Hotel Sofitel Phokeethra, Phnom Penh
The Hotel Sofitel Phokeethra, Phnom Penh
Entrance to the Hotel Sofitel Phokeethra, Phnom Penh
Reception at the Hotel Sofitel Phokeethra, Phnom Penh
A mini suitcase of tropical fruits greets the guest in a King suite in the Hotel Sofitel Phokeethra, Phnom Penh
Yep, it’s larger than my flat in St Kilda: King suite in the Hotel Sofitel Phokeethra, Phnom Penh
My trusty travelling companion: a straw hat that folds and fits into any travel bag
I love to have a beer with Kev
Meet Kev. The Aussie ex-pat has the Bundy Bar in Sihanoukville’s Pub Street. Modelled on the popular Pub Street tourist hub of Siem Reap, and Bangkok’s Khaosan Road, this is a more compact version, with 8 or so small, independent bars facing onto a cul de sac, on one large block of land. It is brightly lit and has a friendly atmosphere. The bars, some with patriotic themes to appeal to Aussies, Germans, Italians etc have a couple of hostesses playing pool, who enthusiastically try to lure in passing potential patrons – who will hopefully buy them a “lady drink”. In Cambodia generally, a “lady drink” costs US$3.50, of which the girl gets US$1.50. If the girl likes the patron, she might invite him – or them, if it’s a couple – to discuss a fee for, shall we say, some “off-premises company”. But most of the girls are discerning and won’t go with just anyone. They choose. Their cheerfulness and cheekiness masks the reason most of them are here: to earn some money for the family struggling out in the provinces. This scene is played out in all of South-East Asia’s tourism hubs. I’m not sure how these places will fare as, what I call the large Chinese “blocks of tourists” inexorably overtake the traditional “Western” individuals/couples. The bar girls are friendly and fun. Hey, a large, cold, local beer costs only US$1, so a few more bucks for her “lady drink” won’t break the bank. Oh, and I won the game of pool…
Aussie Kev owns the Bundy Bar in Sihanoukville’s “Pub Street”
“Which pocket you going for, Mister?” The Bundy Bar in Sihanoukville’s Pub Street.
French falafel à la Cambodia
Variety is the spice of life! Though I’m in Cambodia, I’m lunching à la Française Méditerranée. Falafel I’ve tried to eat in Australia was dry, bland and resembled something off a Pratt cardboard factory production line. Not this! I am now a falafel convert. These falafel balls are seasoned generously, to fully emphasise the flavours of cumin, coriander and pepper. The sesame seeds, the thin slices of tomato, the shredded lettuce … it all comes together nicely. Even the usually neutral yoghurt has some balls about it. And the “balloon” of freshly baked Lebanese bread… c’est délicieux!
Served as a tasting plate, the falafel and Lebanese bread costs US$3.15 at Aroma, a neat little restaurant at the Royal Palace end of Street 13, Phnom Penh.
Falafel with Lebanese bread at Aroma, in Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Mmmmmmm…
Awwwww!
On a cautionary note…
Lo Just a heads up about dollar bills in Cambodia. The US$ is the main currency, not Cambodia’s own riel. Immigration accepts US$, not their own riel, if you buy a tourism visa on arrival. And always check your change for FAKE bills. Spot the difference between these US$10 notes…
A legit and a fake US$10 note
Look closely at the bottom note. It has “Copy”. Otherwise, it’s a perfect replica. Some bars and shops will hand them out as change, but they are way too smart to take them back. These phony bills are mainly used as “gifts” at Buddha shrines. I would’ve thought that Buddha, being the financially savvy bloke that he is, would spot the difference. But anyway… I discovered the source, at the local’s market in Sihanoukville. I wonder if the US Treasury is missing a few imprint machines.
Replica US$ bills for sale at the Sihanoukville locals’ market
Also, watch out for the old, worn US$ bills. They are legal tender, handed out as change, but locals won’t accept them.
An old, worn but legit US$5. Local traders won’t accept it.
And then there’s the US$2 bill!
The US$2 bill
Nah, it’s perfectly legit. But we don’t often see them, so I certainly checked it closely. The history of the US$2 bill is interesting, and well worth reading when you have a spare minute…
Haxtrax 