Gustatevi una bellissima cartolina da Siem Reap, CLICCARE QUI PER IL VIDEO Un viaggio con la famiglia a Siem Reap e all’Angkor Wat. La visita ad una Cambogia sorridente, quella che si può ammirare sui volti di pietra delle sculture del Bayon, una delle immagini più iconiche dell’architettura di Angkor. Una immagine del paese che non mostra le cicatrici del passato recente della Cambogia, ma che ti offre il volto di un paese che vuole ritrovare una sua serenita’.

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Per la versione in ITALIANO su Angkor Wat ENTRARE NELL’ARTICOLO.

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Cambodian Living Arts is excited to announced that the new season of Cambodian Living Arts On Stage (formerly known as Plae Pakaa), their program of daily traditional arts performances in Phnom Penh, will start on October 19, 2015 and run through March 30, 2016! The new season will welcome back international-acclaimed troupe, Morodok Komar Bassac Performing Arts (the former Children of Bassac), performing their lively traditional dance show with the new dances in the lineup six days a week from Monday to Saturday. The show features eight classical and folk dances includes Robam Kap Krabey Pheok Sra (Buffalo Sacrifice Dance), Robam Apsara, Robam Kngork Pailin (Pailin Peacock Dance), Robam Bes Kravagn (Cardamom Picking Dance), Robam Sovann Machha (Golden Mermaid Dance), Robam Ploy Souy (Ploy Souy Dance), Robam Nesat (Fishing Dance) and Robam Kuos Ang-Re (Pestle Dance). Please join us for the opening night on October 19, 2015. Contact vanoeun@cambodianlivingarts.org or darathtey@cambodianlivingarts.org for reservations. CAMBODIAN LIVING ARTS Cambodian Living Arts was founded by Arn Chorn-Pond in 1998. Cambodian Living Arts facilitates the transformation of Cambodia through the arts. They work in collaboration with others to create an environment where Cambodian arts empower and transform individuals and communities through four key programs – Artist Development, Learning and Leadership, Knowledge, Networks & Policy and Market Creation. Season of Cambodia was initiated by Cambodian Living Arts in 2012, with a mission to illuminate and to advance Cambodian arts and culture, driving international support and attention to the creativity and diversity of cultural expressions in Cambodia today. St.13 corner of St.178 – National Museum, Phnom Penh, Cambodia +855 17998570 BOOKINGS: events@cambodianlivingarts.org  bookings@cambodianlivingarts.org WEBSITE: www.cambodianlivingarts.org VIDEOS: http://www.cambodianlivingarts.org/about-us/press-room/watch-listen/ See also Asian Itinerary article on Cambodian Living Arts at http://asianitinerary.com/cambodian-living-arts/

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I had the chance to get to know Via del Campo children’s house of Phoum Thmey in Cambodia thanks to my friend’s nephew Henry, who last summer signed up for a month and half voluntary experience at the center. Phoum Thmey is a slum community located near the international port in Sihanoukville province. The center helps children abused sexually for child prostitution, pornography and trafficking for sexual purposes. Via del Campo provides them with two meals per day, non-formal education (and English language), medical care as well as sponsoring for them tuitions of traditional Khmer dancing (Apsara). RFC started its activities in Cambodia in 2004, after having a MOU with the Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Coorperation. In 2008 RFC was registered at the Ministry of Interior as a local organization based in Phnom Penh. RFC cooperates with CIFA Onlus and Ecpat Onlus in Italy. Via del Campo is a branch of Respect for Children (RFC). Via Del Campo Children’s house started activities in March 2010, with over 100 kids selected for them by RFC. Via Del Campo project aims to fight the reasons why children give up education and start leading street life, in precarious health and hygienic conditions, economic difficulties, lack of adequate educational support programs and family problems. They work at improving the vulnerable kids’ living conditions by encouraging them to develop their own identity, and by ensuring the growth of children with a good life. All their programs are implemented in collaboration with local and international partners, with a board of directors that defines the association policies and actions on the basis of evaluations of needs and priorities conducted by the heads of missions. They have set up a Sponsorship Program for supporting children’s basic needs such as distribution of food, material and pocket money, medical care and hygiene support, school support, construction of settlements and school constructions. All sponsors have a special connection with the child they are sponsoring, seeing the concrete results of their sponsorship over years as they see their sponsored children growing up. Three times a year, the kids have to write a letter and send it together with a photo to their godparents. Medical care is also an important aspect of the center, with doctors and nurses visiting the kids regularly for check ups, and dentists and their assistants curing the kids with teeth problems. Last but not least, vocational training is an important part of the program; the center arranges two daily classes for children to study at the center. RFC tries to motivates the children to study until they finish their general education, or alternatively enroll them on vocational training classes, where they can learn the skills that will enable them to support themselves in the future. To learn more about Via del Campo children’s house of Phoum Thmey: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Via-Del-Campo-Childrens-house-Phou-Thmey/1617835021789583 http://www.respectforchildren.org/index.php/project/project-shv

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The marvels of the complex of buildings called Phnom Penh Royal Palace has served as the royal residence of the kings of Cambodia since it was built in the 1860s, with the only period of absence during and after the reign of the Khmer Rouge. King Norodom had it built atop an old citadel after relocating the royal capital from Oudong to Phnom Penh in the mid-19th century – though most of King Norodom era buildings have been completely demolished. Phnom Penh Royal Palace (its full name in Khmer language is Preah Barum Reachea Veang Chaktomuk Serei Mongkol) is located at the Western bank of the cross division of the Tonle Sap River and the Mekong River, facing east. It is a great example of Khmer architecture and features a layout of the defensive wall, stupas, towering spires, mural paintings, the throne hall and the impressive Silver Pagoda, with a floor made up of 5329 silver tiles, weighing 1.125 kilograms each. This is one of the highlights of a visit to this palace. Most of the palace buildings including the King’s living area (which is closed to public) have had some major modifications to its buildings over time, with the Silver Pagoda having to be rebuilt completely as the original structure was aging and was too weak to stand. The palace has always been a popular tourist attraction in Phnom Penh. Visitors are able to wander around the Silver Pagoda compound and the central compound – though most of the buildings, including the King’s living area, is closed to the public. Sure, if you have been to other palaces in Asia, you come here with high expectations which are a bit dashed once inside the compound: no explanation boards, some buildings closed or roped off, and if you do not hire a guide it is hard to get anything out of a visit. Another highlight of Phnom Penh Royal Palace is the manicured gardens, yet, with temperature soaring to 40 degrees Celcius and not much shelter in the palace grounds, an umbrella and lots of water are advised especially for a visit during afternoon hours. One of the clear advantages of a visit to Phnom Penh Royal Palace is that you can enjoy similar architectural style to, say, Bangkok Royal Palace but without the crowds and the frustrations. A peaceful visit after all, as the palace is hardly ever crowded. That said, the experience was worth it, very educational and with interesting architecture, and since there is little to visit in Phnom Penh, Phnom Penh Royal Palace is quite an attraction. If you don’t start making comparisons to other royal palaces in Asia, you will, like me, enjoy the visit… https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Palace,_Phnom_Penh Accommodation in Phnom Penh: http://asianitinerary.com/pandan-boutique-hotel/ http://asianitinerary.com/the-kabiki/ While in Phnom Penh, do not miss the new season of Cambodian Living Arts shows at the National Theatre COME ON TOUR WITH US Join us for a unique adventure! Discover these fascinating places and let yourself be swept away by the beauty of the world with our travel branch FANTASIA ASIA – click on the following programs to know more: https://www.fantasiaasia.com/tour/offbeat-siem-reap-6-days-5-night/ https://www.fantasiaasia.com/tour/the-wonders-of-angkor-7days-6ights/ https://www.fantasiaasia.com/tour/angkor-heritage/ https://www.fantasiaasia.com/tour/siem-reap-battambang-phnom-penh-7-days-6-nights/ https://www.fantasiaasia.com/tour/siem-reap-phnom-penh-tour-6-days-5-nights/ Watch here for our VIDEO on Siem Reap: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-SvjBjyWfc 

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Cambodian Living Arts’ Plae Pakaa Phnom Penh will return to the National Museum stage starting on Friday, June 12. This season the production features a brand new show: War of Indrajit – a tale from the Reamker presented in the rare, art form of Sbaek Thom, large shadow puppetry, recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible World Heritage. Creative Industries Manager, Melissa Im said: “The decision to add a new show, specifically ancient large shadow puppets is exciting for our team. Sbaek Thom is unique in that it both connects Cambodia to other forms of shadow puppetry in the ASEAN region but also serves as a signature of the country due to the size and individuality of each puppet. In February we hosted two special previews of the piece, which was received with enthusiasm from a packed house on both nights. We are thrilled to provide this opportunity to our visitors.” This new season will also welcome back internationally-acclaimed troupe, Children of Bassac, performing their lively traditional dance show with new dances in the lineup, and Yike Amatak, performing their gripping musical drama, Mak Therng. This season will run from June 12 to the end of August, with three performances each week: – Fridays – Cambodian Opera, Mak Therng by Yike Amatak – Saturdays – Dance Show, Dancers of Bassac by Children of Bassac – Sundays – Large Shadow Puppets, The War of Indrajit by The Department of Performing Arts in collaboration with Children of Bassac Tickets are $15 and available online at www.cambodianlivingarts.org or at the Plae Pakaa Box Office at the National Museum on show-days from 10:00AM – 7:00PM Plae Pakaa continues to employ over 140 artists and arts practitioners each year, providing them with regular income and professional working conditions, as well as offering national and international audiences with high quality traditional arts performances. Plae Pakaa Siem Reap will be on break during the monsoon season but will return in late 2015. Further information will be announced in October 2015. The Sounds of Angkor and Wat Bo Shadow Puppet Troupe are still available for private events or gatherings, as part of Living Arts Experiences, CLA’s cultural offerings and activities. Inquiries about Plae Pakaa, please contact Ms. Darathtey DIN on +855 12 489 325 and at darathtey@cambodianlivingarts.org or info@cambodianlivingarts.org CAMBODIAN LIVING ARTS Cambodian Living Arts was founded by Arn Chorn-Pond in 1998. Cambodian Living Arts facilitates the transformation of Cambodia through the arts. They work in collaboration with others to create an environment where Cambodian arts empower and transform individuals and communities through four key programs – Artist Development, Learning and Leadership, Knowledge, Networks & Policy and Market Creation. Season of Cambodia was initiated by Cambodian Living Arts in 2012, with a mission to illuminate and to advance Cambodian arts and culture, driving international support and attention to the creativity and diversity of cultural expressions in Cambodia today. See also Asian Itinerary article on Cambodian Living Arts at http://asianitinerary.com/cambodian-living-arts/

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The kingdoms of Cambodia and Thailand have joined hands to increase foreign and inter-ASEAN tourism under the ‘Two Kingdoms, One Destination’ tourism visa pact. Secretary of state at Cambodia’s Ministry of Tourism Tith Chantha said Cambodia and Thailand have already created a single-visa option for tourists looking to explore both countries in one trip. “Now, we’re joining with Thailand to promote Two Kingdoms, One Destination. It will make it much easier for tourists who don’t want to visit only one country during their trip,” he said. “Thailand has a lot of airlines operating long-haul to Europe or the United States – we don’t have many of those long flights, so we will benefit from this once the campaign kicks in.” Thailand’s minister of tourism and sports, Kobkran Wattanakvrangkul, told the Bangkok Post that the campaign would run from 2015 to 2017. “The collaboration looks forward to exchanging foreign travellers and facilitating travel across both countries. The plan also promotes intra-ASEAN tourism,” Kobkarn was quoted as saying. The campaign will promote two major tourist routes; one running along the Gulf of Thailand’s coastline through Bangkok, Rayong and Trat in Thailand to Koh Kong, Sihanoukville, Kampot and Phnom Penh in Cambodia; the other will also originate in Bangkok and end in Phnom Penh, but will go through further inland from Aranyaprathet in Thailand to Poipet, Battambang, and Siem Reap. Co-chair of the Government-Private Sector Working Group on Tourism Ho Vandy welcomed the initiative, saying that Cambodia had been cooperating with Thailand’s tourism association since 2008. “Now that this is being done on a governmental level, it will be a big boost because it will share benefits with both countries,” he said. “We have observed that we got more than 30 per cent of [Cambodia’s] tourists from Thailand since the promotion began.” Tourist arrivals to Cambodia from Thailand were up 37 per cent to 71,572 visitors during the first quarter of 2015, ranking fifth, while Vietnamese tourists still ranked first followed by China, South Korea, and Laos, according to the Ministry of Tourism. The data showed that Cambodia welcomed some 1.3 million foreign tourists in the year’s first quarter, a 3.1 per cent increase from the 1.267 million tourists in the same period last year. Last year, Cambodia received some 4.5 million foreign tourists, a 7 per cent increase from the year before. The arrivals generated about $3 billion worth of Cambodia’s $15 billion GDP. The Ministry of Tourism projected that Cambodia would receive about 5 million foreign tourist arrivals this year.

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PHNOM PENH, Cambodia – Cambodian Living Arts presents Jolana Jongjam, a dance festival that will premiere three new works and bring artists from Siem Reap, Kampot and Phnom Penh together. This festival will take place Thursday, June 5th to Sunday, June 7th , 2015 About the Program As part of the Acts of Memory program commemorating the 40th anniversary of the fall of Phnom Penh to the Khmer Rouge, Cambodian Living Arts will host Jolana Jongjam (Movement Memory), a series of contemporary dance workshops and performances. Acts of Memory is co-produced by Bophana Audiovisual Resource Center & Cambodian Living Arts and presented by Season of Cambodia. The Acts of Memory program is a series of events and activities that offer audience members opportunities for critical reflections on memory, history and identity. Jolana Jongjam will serve as a platform for the public presentation of new works by dance companies Epic Arts, New Cambodian Artists and the PanDance Project, intended to encourage a young (Khmer) audience to examine and engage with the arts and their history. “It is very exciting for young Cambodians to see new works performed by young people representing different parts of Cambodia. Not only will they have a chance to see the performances, the audience members will also get to interact with the artists, ask them questions, give comments and reflect on the past & future” said Mr. Prim Phloeun, the Executive Director of Cambodian Living Arts. Through a series of master classes, workshops and exchanges between the dance companies, Jolana Jongjam is also designed to foster collaboration and innovation among the contemporary dance community, and broader arts community. These workshops are being implemented with co-funding from the European Union action, ‘Supporting culture as a vector of democracy and economic growth’. Program Schedule and Ticket Information Jolana Jongjam will take place across three days: Friday, June 5th to Sunday, June 7th.  Friday to Sunday nights will serve to showcase the three original pieces Epic Arts, New Cambodian Artists and the PanDance Project have created to reflect human emotions in the last 50 years of Cambodia’s history. Performances will be at CLA’s Plae Pakaa theatre at the National Museum of Phnom Penh. The Performance Schedule is as follows: Friday, June 5th – 7 pm: Presentations of Epic Arts’ piece, Come Back Brighter, and the PanDance Project’s piece, The Things They Carried, followed by a post-show discussion with the artists, facilitated by Amrita Performing Arts. (1 hour duration) Saturday, June 6th – 7 pm: Presentation of New Cambodian Artists’ piece, Sronoh (Lament), followed by a post-show discussion with the artists, facilitated by Amrita Performing Arts. (1 hour duration) Sunday, June 7th – (7 pm): All dance shows will be presented once more. No discussion follows.  (1.5 hour duration) The three-day evening performances are open to public. Tickets are available at Cambodian Living Arts office and Bophana Audiovisual Resource Center. Tickets are priced at 10,000 R for public with 50% discount for students. Audience can also purchase tickets at door on each day of the performances. During the day from Friday to Sunday, Amrita Performing Arts will facilitate a series of choreo-labs. The purpose of these choreo-labs will be to encourage the companies to engage in creation, creative thinking and new techniques. Inquiries about Jolana Jongjam, please contact Ms. Darathtey DIN on +855 12 489 325 and at darathtey@cambodianlivingarts.org or info@cambodianlivingarts.org CAMBODIAN LIVING ARTS Cambodian Living Arts was founded by Arn Chorn-Pond in 1998. Cambodian Living Arts facilitates the transformation of Cambodia through the arts. They work in collaboration with others to create an environment where Cambodian arts empower and transform individuals and communities through four key programs – Artist Development, Learning and Leadership, Knowledge, Networks & Policy and Market Creation. Season of Cambodia was initiated by Cambodian Living Arts in 2012, with a mission to illuminate and to advance Cambodian arts and culture, driving international support and attention to the creativity and diversity of cultural expressions in Cambodia today. See also Asian Itinerary article on Cambodian Living Arts at http://asianitinerary.com/cambodian-living-arts/

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The Angkor Archeological Park, inscribed on the UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 1992, is the kingdom’s largest tourist destination. It is located in Siem Reap province, some 315 km northwest of capital Phnom Penh. The Apsara is the Authority for the Protection and Management of Angkor and the Region of Siem Reap. After several recent incidents of tourists behaving badly or dressing inappropriately at the Angkor Archaeological Park, the Apsara Authority yesterday said that a code of conduct for tourists visiting the temples, a work two years in the making, is nearly complete. Sok Sangvar, head of tourism management planning for Apsara, said yesterday that by early June, Apsara should be ready to send the draft to experts at the International Criminal Court to review the code’s legality. He also mentioned that much of it is common sense: “Basically the code looks at where we need to indicate what not to do when visiting Angkor,” Sangvar said. “Things such as not dressing inappropriately, and not touching things.” While the final touches are being put on the draft conduct code on the heels of several high-profile cases of tourists running into legal problems after taking nude photos inside temples, listing rules for behaviour at Angkor temples was not inspired by them. The fanfare around the topless Apsara images started when in 2013, self-proclaimed “World’s #1 Art Nude” magazine Volo featured a scantily or in some cases not-at-all-clad Russian Playboy model draped over the Angkorian temples. Then in January 2015, three foreign tourists who were producing pornographic photographs at the complex of the Angkor Archeological Park, and precisely at Banteay Kdei temple, were detained by the Apsara National Authority, in close cooperation with the Tourism Police Unit and the Heritage Protection Police Unit. Soon after that, half nude photos of likely Chinese woman were circulated online. This act was strongly condemned by the Apsara Authority and management of Angkor and the Region of Siem Reap province, saying that those naked photos completely opposed Cambodian moral and culture, and seriously downgraded heritage and dignity of women. When completed, the code of conduct book will likely be distributed to people in the tourism industry, said Long Kosal, another Apsara Authority spokesman: “We will widely circulate this code of conduct to relevant authorities and private sectors that are involved with tourism such as tour guides, tour agencies, hotels, etc. We need their cooperation to get a good result in practice,” Kosal said This code of conduct could be applied to other sites in the Kingdom of Cambodia, but right now it is pretty Angkor-specific, Sangvar said: “We’re exploring all these ways for tourists to understand what not to do,” he said. “The rules are mainly about the sustainable development of Angkor.”

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My days in Phnom Penh were busy enough and the activities undertaken quite varied: historical places, a cooking class, a couple of hotel reviews, a treatment at a spa and more. I was determined to miss out on the attractions heavy on Cambodia’s brutal history, which give little impression of the country’s rich heritage. What I needed to complete this adventure was… art. And art I found in the form of a leaflet at the hotel desk that read “Phnom Penh’s top ranked cultural performance”. That was it, I thought: I searched for their website, found it and emailed the booking department asking for a ticket to see the play “Children of Bassac” by Cambodian Living Arts. I was lucky to be in town on a Friday, the only day this play is on at the National Museum, and it was also the first representation of the season. THE LOCATION The location and stage of the show were simple but stunning, an open air concept that added to the feeling and aura of the performances. The moon was shining brightly when I reached the stage following a lantern-lit path. The small and magic outdoor amphitheater in the grounds of the National Museum was the immediate highlight of the show to come. I accommodated myself in the first row and took advantage for a chat with Cambodian Living Arts (CLA) communications manager, whom informed me that the audience numbers, formed predominantly by tourists, have been growing from year to year. So how did people mainly get to know about these shows, I wondered? Like me, some see the advertising on tuk-tuks or from street press, others are approached by enthusiastic young people out the front of the museum itself. Marketing has been an important part of Cambodian Living Arts success, and it is a meaningful success: in the absence of a national opera company, the only job opportunities open for young traditional arts performers is right here! CAMBODIAN LIVING ART Initiatives like Children of Bassac are sponsored by non-profit organization Cambodian Living Arts, an organization dedicated to the transformation of Cambodia through the arts. Cambodian Living Arts productions cover folk and classical dance, village rituals and harvest celebrations. Each performance showcases a wide range of traditional performing arts. It is so important that these art forms are being preserved and saved for posterity through the employment of over 120 performers, most coming from financially difficult suburbs of the city. These young artists are being taught by surviving master artists who are willing to pass on their skills to young students, skills including Apsara dancing, difficult-to-master musical instruments, costume crafting and choreography. These emerging artists are being empowered through their development and through a viable income achieved after years of studying to perfect their crafts. What a great and noble cause. THE DANCES If I had thought Children of Bassac was all about Apsara dancing, I was to be proven wrong: the spellbinding performance offered the audience the chance to discover the diversity of Cambodian culture and traditional arts through a combination of traditional dances from different eras and ethnic groups. The young artists wore brightly coloured outfits and made us travel through a variety of dances by the regions, celebrating the history of Cambodia. Each dance lasted no more than 10 minutes and displayed technical, playful and folk-style skills. The artists employed graceful dancing, enchanting music and plenty of energy, a dynamic performance that captured the whole audience. The distinguished show included dances based upon the Ramayana Indian myth interpreted through Cambodian lore, like the much-loved monkey dance, as well as Cambodian folk tales: a buffalo blessing from the Phnong tribe of Ratanakiri, a lively fishing dance in which fish are not the only catch, the Cambodian scarf kroma dance, and finally a captivating and well-expected Apsara dance. There was a screen onto where a projector gave brief explanation on the types and meanings of the dances performed, including some subtitles in English during the theater. The highlight was indeed the amazingly coloured costumes and most importantly the skilled dancers. THE EMERGING ARTISTS I must admit I totally fell in love with the gracefulness of the professional dancers, so passionate and entertaining that you could tell the audience had a great time watching them dance, act, sing and play instruments on stage. These talented and enthusiastic young performers take years of practice to perform such technical yet compelling dances that drew the audience in and wrap them up in their show with perfectly placed movements that require an enviable amount of strength and grace. In each of the performers I saw such a passion about their work, and such a talent as actors, actresses, dancers and musicians displayed an excellent standard of professionalism. The quality of the performances and of the dancers’ beauty, sheer strength and physical control were a perfect match to the gorgeous costumes made with traditional brocaded and silk fabrics. I felt so heavily engrossed in the show that at some point my eyes teared up a little. MY IMPRESSIONS I have been to cultural shows in other countries in the past, but this felt like a genuine experience. I was so glad to be in Phnom Penh on the right evening and to be invited to this amazing evening of entertainment. Just over one hour of show makes it for the perfect evening, recommended to anyone who is looking for a high quality traditional dance. If you are after a real cultural experience while in Phnom Penh, do not hesitate to go to one of Cambodian Living Arts shows at the National Museum. The 80 minute performances are of great value at $15 at the door, offering a gorgeous snippet of the history and myth of Cambodia. Tickets can be purchased online through bookings@cambodianlivingarts.org Your patronage goes directly back into the program, which provides well-paid work for over 100 artists, as well as covering production costs. Your participation enhances Cambodian Living Arts mission to transform and...

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Bliss Spa House # 29, Street 240, Phnom Penh, Cambodia Tel: +855 023 215 754 Email: bliss@online.com.kh www.blissspacambodia.com www.islandblissphuket.com Set in a beautiful French Colonial-style house with vintage decoration, old floor tiles and polished cement walls, a lovely setting on an otherwise typical city street, Bliss Spa welcomes you with an aura of Asian retreat from times past. I arrived at the Bliss Spa in a sunny afternoon and was welcomed by the manageress at their gorgeous Bliss Boutique shop selling amazingly good fashion clothes and house wares. I was accommodated in a comfortable sofa and offered a refreshing tea. The staff came back a few minutes later and invited me to follow them to an open and airy internal courtyard covered in lush vegetation, with huge frangipanis in bloom, stoned floors and walls, and a pond full of colourful flowers and lively fish. At the changing area I put on the provided bathrobe, feeling at ease and ready for my treatment. The staff then motioned me to the upstairs area where my masseuse was waiting for me in one of the spacious rooms complete with a bathtub, a sink corner, a nice massage bed, Buddhist elements of decoration and wooden furniture. The scent of burning essential oils permeated the air; I seated on a stool and the masseuse washed my feet in a bowl of warm water and flowers while I browsed the amazing menu with a unique range of treatments. I went for the “Essence of Bliss” massage since my body was aching from fatigue and heat (photo equipment can be quite heavy!), and asked for medium-strong touch. The therapist made me lie down on my belly in the extremely comfortable massage bed for the first part of my treatment, and started massaging my back exactly as I expected: not too strong, not too soft, guiding me through a fantastic, deep relaxation massage. This, and the soft ambient music played in the background made me fall asleep after only a few minutes, only to be awoken by the masseuse, who prompted me to turn around. By then I felt already a change in my general well-being, so I was determined to stay awake and feel the last part of the massage. This was a great thing to do since I could really feel the benefit of her hands’ gentle yet firm pressure over my body, right where it was needed. I was positively surprised by her capacity to feel where my body ached and change her hand pressure accordingly. The therapist stayed focused during the whole massage and the experience was extremely professional. I left Bliss Spa rejuvenated, hungry for food, feeling lighter and younger! BLISS SPA Bliss Spa is set in a beautiful old Colonial building in the heart of Phnom Penh behind the Royal Palace. The setting is beautiful and the service from the receptionists and therapists is great. I found the massage to be very high quality, and their prices affordable. Bliss Spa is definitely highly recommended if what you are after is an amazing Spa experience. Bliss Spa has great packages that include steam, scrub and massage. Bliss Escapes are combinations of spa treatments carefully selected to energize your body and soothe away stress. Bliss Spa opens 7 days a week, 9:00 am to 9:00 pm Download their treatments menu at http://www.blissspacambodia.com/Bliss_SpaMenu.pdf FACTS BEHIND BLISS BOUTIQUES Cassandra Harper created the ultimate fashion and home-wear range with Bliss, the epitome of bohemian sophistication, with style and understated elegance. Since the mid 1990s, this inspiring Australian designer has had the opportunity to showcase an exceptional mix of exotic fabrics with avant-garde design, to create collections that people remember. Her fashion pieces are cool and casual, feminine and timeless. Maxi dresses in sheer cottons complement floating kaftans and chic voile peasant tops. Silhouettes are elegant. Every print, pattern and style is unique to Bliss, a product of Harper’s constant travels and testament to her passion for colour and texture. For interiors, picture the French colonial style of Cambodia, the whitewashed walls and serenity of poolside Phuket and the eclectic chaos of India or Bali and you can glimpse the style that is Bliss. Natural fibers, a fiery rainbow of colour and cool, soothing textures add harmony to any space. This is a captivating lifestyle brand for travel and leisure, poolside and partying.

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The Kabiki  22, street 264 – Phnom Penh, Cambodia –  tel +855 (0) 23 22 22 90   reservation@thekabiki.com – www.thekabiki.com https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Kabiki/412015348868126 https://twitter.com/TheKabiki  http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g293940-d794810-Reviews-The_Kabiki-Phnom_Penh.html  While looking at hotels in Phnom Pen on the internet, I stumbled upon one that had a curious name: The Kabiki. Their website is clean and captivating and their motto is “A peaceful oasis in the middle of Phnom Penh”, and that was enough to get me to book it. And I am happy I have done so! The Kabiki revealed to be much more than the quiet oasis described: is is such a great place in terms of location and style and staff that I would surely be staying there again when I return to the town. Opened by two French families in 2007, The Kabiki is a family friendly hotel ideally located in the heart of Phnom Penh, between the Royal Palace and the Independence Monument. With major sightseeing spots such as the National Museum, Wat Botum, the riverside and street 240 within walking distance, I could easily explore the city’s main attractions and enjoy an array of Khmer and Western style restaurants, galleries and boutiques. The Kabiki is set in a beautiful and lush 3500 m2 well-manicured garden setting, surrounded by 500 trees they have planted themselves to add a natural and exotic feel to the premises. And here comes the name: the Kabiki is a huge tree native of India that stands 15m high right in the middle on the park, an uncontested feature of the resort. It is worth mentioning at this point that The Kabiki is strongly committed to ecological values: together with sister properties The Pavilion and The Plantation, they now occupy over a hectare in the very center of Phnom Penh, and the low density construction allows them to dedicate a very high share of this land to greenery, with lots of trees and over 45 different species of plants. Last but not least, their preference wood for the  indoor furniture is sugar-palm since as it is a planted tree, using its wood does not contribute to deforestation. The Kabiki swimming pool is generous in size and lined with small green tiles that give it a natural touch, and comfortable day beds and lounge chairs spread around the garden. They also have a shallow baby-pool by the side, for families peace of mind. When I sat there for breakfast every morning at the pool side restaurant, served by well-trained waiters in a wide and airy area and observing the gardeners removing fallen leaves from the pathways with wicker brooms, I breathed in the scents of nature and of humidity after a rainy spell; the birds are comfortable in the height of leafy branches and homaged me with their musical concert while I drank good coffee and started another great day in Phnom Penh. Their 18 tastefully decorated rooms, eight with a private terrace, are complete with air-conditioning, ceiling fan, mosquito nets, safety box, a mini-bar, 32-inches flat screen TV, a kettle with tea and coffee and a hair dryer. All rooms have bathroom with shower and/or bathtub and have access to high-speed wi-fi connection, and so is the reception and the state-of-the-art restaurant area, where kind, helpful and professional staff serve you with perfect English skills. The Kabiki suited my afternoons of sunbathing and refreshment after a day of sightseeing, great sleeps and a welcoming escape from the bustling streets of Phnom Penh.

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Pandan Boutique Hotel #15A st282 Boeung Keng Kong 1, Chamkarmon Phnom Penh, Cambodia tel (855) 16 721 207 – (855) 77 881 175 website: www.pandanboutiquehotel.com email: info@pandanboutiquehotel.com Pandan Boutique Hotel is a new establishment in the earth of Phnom Pen, tucked away in a quiet, not so busy leafy street. If location is a must for you, then this hotel is ideal: strategically located at walking distance from shopping and business district, banks, clothes boutiques, handicrafts, cafes and a great choice of restaurants, Pandan Boutique Hotel is also within walking distance from the Independence Monument, 5 minutes drive to the Royal Palace and 10 minutes drive to the Tonle Sap riverside. Pandan Boutique Hotel offers a choice of 26 large rooms with a unique and classy design. I accommodated myself in mine, that was spacious and elegant, with a wooden parquet floor and classy hardwood furnishings all round. The double bed was firm and comfortable, with a soft duvet and pillows. The bathroom has a walk-in shower, fittings are modern, and there is a nice range of fragrant, natural bath products. I spotted immediately the large safe and the water boiler complete with a few sets of instant coffee and teas. But it is the staff the real bonus of Pandan Boutique Hotel. Khun Vimol at the front desk was simply helpful, and with her husband manage the establishment. The rest of the team is active and attentive to your needs can help you book a tour, chose a restaurant and can get you a tuktuk at the right price. The room cleaners were really thorough and even tidied up my clothes and stuff. Everybody will go the extra mile to ensure your comfort and ease and are always on hand to meet your needs. Breakfast is included in the room price. There was a good choice of breakfast items in the menu: in-season fruit platter, bread and delicious jams, eggs cooked in a variety of ways and fried rice, together with tea, coffee or fruit juices. The restaurant also offers a lunch and dinner menu, served in the quiet and pleasantly landscaped garden of Pandan Boutique Hotel, complete with lots of orchids. There is no pool but apparently you can use the pool in Goldiana across the road for $5. The team offer daily cleaning, laundry, dry cleaning and pressing service. I loved my stay at Pandan Boutique Hotel, which mostly met my requirements: you can tell from the air of simplicity that nothing is pretentious and that the place still retains an old charm. My sleeps were long and undisturbed. What more could you want to have from a hotel?  

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Amanresort Siem Reap, the former guesthouse of King Sihanouk, is situated on the edge of Siem Reap just 10 minutes from the entrance to the Angkor UNESCO World Khmer Heritage Site. It derives its name from the twinning of two Sanskrit words – aman (peace) and apsara (the heavenly nymphs of ancient Hindu mythology). Set in a garden compound, the 24-suite resort has the ambiance of a private home and is the ideal base for travelers seeking to explore Khmer culture and the majestic ruins of Angkor. A variety of temple tours and cultural walks is available as part of the guest experience. Amansara, the former guesthouse of King Sihanouk, is situated on the edge of Siem Reap just 10 minutes from the entrance to the Angkor UNESCO World Heritage Site. It derives its name from the twinning of two Sanskrit words – aman (peace) and apsara (the heavenly nymphs of ancient Hindu mythology). www.amanresorts.com Amansara Road to Angkor, Siem Reap – Kingdom of Cambodia tel    (855) 63 760 333  –  fax    (855) 63 760 335 email amansara@amanresorts.com mailing address – No 262, Krom 8, Phum Beong Don Pa, Khum Slar Kram Siem Reap, Kingdom of Cambodia

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