AsiaLIFE

ALEX
Most Unusual Thing
Driving a four-wheel-drive at night along a non-existent road, searching for a jungle-clad pyramid temple in Preah Vihear Province. Six hours and 20 kilometres later, all we came across were wild animal sounds.
Keeping Busy
Riding around the city on my motorbike, flying around with my bicycle, wandering aimlessly and getting into the weirdest conversations with random Cambodians. Playing football at the Olympic Stadium until my legs collapse!
Recommendations
Check out the Olympic Stadium for exercise and socialising. Try playing Khmer chess with security guards at night.

SARAH
Most Unusual Thing
Learning Khmer Kickboxing at Paddys and ending up knee-deep in mud while taking boat race photos last year.
Keeping Busy
Kickboxing, playing cricket, the Talkin to a Stranger quiz, shopping, swimming, trying different restaurants in town, rescuing my cat off neighbour’s roofs and supporting an NGO in Battambang.
Recommendations
Swim, take a Khmer cooking class, watch kickboxing on TV5, take part in exercise classes at Olympic Stadium at sunset and head out of town and visit a village. You can also try the meditation classes at Wat Lanka.

ANITA
Most Unusual Thing
Participating in the boat race during last year’s Water Festival. The atmosphere was very exciting, and we drew a lot of attention because we were the only Barang boat. The boat we were racing started off really slowly – so as not to embarrass us – but soon they realised it was pointless and raced ahead. Then we were overtaken by boats from two races that started after us.
Keeping Busy
Teaching myself photography. I love to go out on the streets and take pictures in different parts of the city. Playing board games with friends.
Recommendations
Try the private Khmer dancing classes at Sovanna Phum. They teach Apsara and folk dancing. It’s not as easy as it looks, because the moves are slow, they demand a lot of precision and control.

NICHOLAS
Most Unusual Thing
I went out on Trabek Lake in a rickety boat with a friend. We sat in a tree in the middle of the lake and watched people harvest morning glory on the lake. Also, does eating deep-fried frogs count?
Keeping Busy
I play ultimate Frisbee. I’m trying to start a team in Phnom Penh and am looking for partners at the moment. Call me on 016 460 732 if you are interested.
Recommendations
Go to the aerobics at the Olympic Stadium, it’s a great place to relax and people watch.

PONTUS
Most Unusual Thing
Helping friends with a photo shoot at Raffles Hotel. We replicated scenes from an oyster party held by a Swedish NGO delegate with Pol Pot during the Khmer Rouge regime. The pictures were shown at Meta House during the Art of Survival show.
Keeping Busy
Usually I’m on my back on the couch watching bad cable and even worse karaoke. My second favourite past time is walking around the dirtier parts of the city where no tourists go. It gives me a better understanding about
the real Penh.
Recommendations
Get a really good city map and compass, then go and find things out for yourselves. You can walk around for hours in places nobody has ever been to. It’s more fun and interesting than seeing the usual tourist traps.

ANTOINE
Most Unusual Thing
We were in a boat, about to visit a floating village near Siem Reap during Pchum Ben last year, when we were attacked by the villagers, who were staging a wild water battle. Children, women, monks, everyone got involved. Because we were the only foreigners there, we were soon at the centre of the battle. It was completely crazy!
Keeping Busy
I play petanque (boules) with friends at the Olympic Stadium. Or we take motorbike trips to Mekong Island, or anywhere else on the other side of the river. It’s a great laugh to take the little ferries across the river and get lost in the countryside – but wait until dry season comes around again.
Recommendations
Go bowling, check out the golf range on Street 63, or watch some boxing at the weekend. Also, one place that is often forgotten, but is a treasure of information, is the Bophana Centre. You can watch documentaries about pretty much everything relating to Cambodia, it’s really interesting.