The changing face of Phnom Penh

 On Sunday mornings we usually cycle around Koh Pich or Diamond Island, a reclaimed sand island on the Mekong. The new development is incredible, tower blocks shooting up everywhere but at the moment nice clean wide traffic free roads!

 This development poster always makes us smile! I mean based on this information how can you refuse to move in!

We were told by one of the construction workers that this is going to be the tallest building in SE Asia at 550m. To my way of thinking there are three possibilities here. Either he's lying through his teeth, or there's a Cambodian plot to blow up the Petronas towers and at least three other towers in Asia or this 30 storey building is going to need some ridiculously high ceilings! Love the infinity pool spaning the roof and overlooking the river..

Full marks to the architect on this one 'Glass windows' no less That's what I call inspired!!!
All this built on squidgy sand watch this space!

Life is all about FOOD!!

The best lunch, a ritual every Saturday
in the Russian Market 

A delicious Khymer salad
and a glass of chilled white wine!!

 

What a way to start the day!
 

Just the very best vegetable Thali
- all delivered on a motodop to the door

The best Khymer food yet - A Vegetable Amok
- a banana leaf full of yummy vegetables in a delicious creamy coconut sauce,
sitting on the side of the road watching the world go by on The Riverfront

Toucans has arrived in Cambodia - tuna salad on sesame please
(our sandwich delivery business that we had in Exeter, many moons ago)

The sauce with this yellow thai vegetable curry was delectable
and yes we have almost gone vegetarian

Sorry to end with this, I know it looks rather dodgy
but I can assure you they are the best tasting chicken satay sticks

Wicker chair lady....no pain and her very cute baby

The chairs have arrived on the roof of a tuk tuk pink cushion for Amanda brown for me.

Just walked through a massive tropical downpour first rain for three weeks to meet Amanda from school and get a picture of the wicker chair lady and the world's cutest baby.....aaaahhh now you can see why we chose this shop!!

The Berries are mobile!

One more adventure in PP!! - every shopping trip has a story.



Paul began by buying himself a silver bicycle in 'second hand bicycle street' just next to Orussay Market. He haggled and managed to get a one dollar discount, they don't give alot away and are not like the Africans, who if you walk away, lower the price. If you walk away here they don't seem bothered!!
He jumped straight on and cycled around PP and managed to find 6z17 Mao Tse Toung-our street, without checking the map!! and without the aid of 'satnav' as he calls me!!
Only one problem, his knees were killing him - the bike was really too small.
I came home from school and Paul said 'I've bought you a present! a bicycle'. I was dead chuffed as it is perfect for me, just like my friend I left at home :(
So back we go to the proper bicycle shop 'grasshopper tours' to purchase a rather more expensive version that at least Paul can fit on. Yeah we have wheels!!

We got up at 5.30 this morning and went for our first cycle - 2 flat tyres!! - however even at 5.30 am the steetside bicycle repair man on our corner sorted us out - pumped Paul's tyres up and fixed my leaking valve!
In the cool morning breeze we cycled past delicious smells, massive new developments - apartment blocks with names like 'Elite Park' and gigantic new malls, theatres and government buildings and then along the River Front where Tai Ch'i is happening with elegant dance routines and clicking fans. Such contasts!!
One hour later, with only a few near misses, as the driving system is interesting!! we arrived back at the ABC bakery to pick up our daily, freshly cooked baguette.

PS The blue iCAN helmet is for Motodop riding, supplied by the school, not for cycling - I bought my UK cycle helmet with me.



A visit to the wicker chair shop

Well, we have finally settled into the new apartment on 6z17  Mao Tse Toung Blvd. Part of the attraction being the balcony at the front, we quickly decide it would be a good idea to buy a couple of colonial style wicker chairs for relaxing out there. Fortunately for us we are located just down the road from the wicker furniture district having moved from the stainless steel sink area.
 So off we stroll shop after shop selling much the same thing. Finally we find a pair of chairs we like but they are painted in a disgusting orangey varnish very popular among the locals and the conversation goes as follows
." You got chair no varnish" says I (You tend to find yourself going into local speak to make your life that little bit easier)
 "You no like my pain do mysel" says the woman.
 "No, me no like pain, me like bare"
 "You funny man" says she
Now were getting into another area altogether!
 "I get chair, no pain 4 day"
 "Where from", says I
 "Vietnam no problem"!!!
Intense negotiation  now begins on the price;
How much for two chair"?
"$40" says she," goo price"
"How much no pain, cheaper"?
"$40 no pain no differ"
"You save pain,must be cheaper" says I
"$40 no differ you no like pain you problem"

Slightly bemussed we shake hands big smiles all round the deal is done. We leave her with a $5 deposit and hopefully the chairs will come winging their way across the border via tuk tuk next week!!!