After a disastrous New Years Eve party in the home of a neighbour in Havana in 2016, I ha decided I would choose carefully where I wish to be at the end of the year as well as with whom I wish to spend the end of the year, especially the joyous moment of welcoming the New Year.
I couldn't have chosen better: Siem Reap, Cambodia.
It is a laid back town, heavily invested in tourism, the face of which is changing with the invasion of Chinese tourists.
But today and tonight (31 December 2018 and 1 January 2019) the local Khmers claimed their land, their space and spread their natural gaiety..
The joy in the air was genuine, not the Are we having fun yet? kind.
The day began with a nice asian breakfast of Noodles, fruits and a mild tea (wished for Teh Tahrek). A visit to the Computer store resolved the external drive problem I had to deal with for years. When labour of any sort is involved, Asian countries are the better choice for immediate and courteous resolution of your problems (technical for example).
PassApp is one of the most effective application for a visitor to a new city that I have ever seen. Much like other share ride apps, you plug in your location and the destination and the type of vehicle you want : A Car, An Indian Auto Rickshaw or a traditional Khmer Tuk Tuk. Within minutes they are at your doorstep and the rate is extremely reasonable and you have no haggling to do. Polite, timely and very convenient.
(sad to hear about the death of Dr Beat Richner of Zurich who for 25 years provided excellent paediatric services at the Jayavarman VII hospitals. Glad to see that 2 of the 37 dollars collected for one day entry to Angkor is to be donated to the Paediatric Hospitals in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh)
I had the chance to use the APP a couple of times today. A quick visit to a Ceramics place which was rather dull in colour and activity, a national museum which is attached to a shopping centre (possibly owned by the same people). Tourism has grown so dramatically in Siem Reap which converted this sleepy village (somewhat dangerous with many mines in the temple areas) in late 1990s to a bustling mini town with all its advantages and disadvantages, Improvements in infrastructure has not taken priority, but there has been good improvements in the Gastronomy sphere.
A short ride and the lunch was ready. A farm to table, modest restaurant close to the Beyond Yangon Boutique Hotel.
I chose the Vegan choice from the Lunch Specials and it was delicious.
A little siesta before the festivities began and this one has my own individual stamp on it.
Stephane delapree is a french artist with a special style depicting khmer life and as he says: I may not become rich here but certainly I have a calmer and happier life. I make a point of chatting with him, in a mixture of English and French.
The streets were already busy and full of people in joyous mood. The next stop was the familiar Leg Massage place where I had the pleasure of a strong massage by Anya, whom I had known for at least two years.
Khmer people are of extraordinarily cheerful disposition and innocent in their thought and behaviour. Here this lady who has a stand making fruit juices and shakes, hands me a little present of fruits and lemon when I stop here for a simple drink of mango or avacado. Tonight the sunset was the backdrop to a tasty avacado shake.
The little girl from the neighbouring stall became friendly very quickly and we would play for a little while i consumed the fruit concoction.
I checked my BP around 4 pm local time and it was a respectful 140/75. We say "lifestyle" changes knowing fully well that very few have the chance or ability or capacity or income to do so. Here it can come naturally. Easily available food is healthy, you walk a lot and you can also sleep without a schedule.
How easy it is to walk 20 000 steps here in Siem Reap and that is over 13 km!
(notebook to write, iphone to check whatsapp messages from far away friends and an occasional email.. no Facebook, sorry)
Had a sip of wine or two with the owner of the hotel where I am staying Beyond Yangon Boutique Hotel, who is also my burmese brother, Ko Maung Maung. He was too tired to wait up to see the new year in, but we chatted about the changes in Siem Reap in the many years we have known each other.
Time for dinner:
Genevieve was the choice and I had already spoken to the owner, who is an australian from Melbourne.
(Khmer Chicken Curry )
Had a chance to chat with the pleasant owner of the place and we exchanged bits of our australian pasts.
He is genuinely concerned about his staff and the people living near where he obtains his vegetables.
Walking towards the centre of town, the surge of humanity was the force and i was truly happy that instead of few tourists drinking and singing loudly out of tune songs with beer bottles about them, the place was full of young and not so young Khmer people truly having a good time. Music blared and bodies swayed.
I could honestly say that this was one of the nicest end of the year celebrations that I have attended. Thank you Siem Reap..
Even some Hijab clad cambodian cham muslims were part of the celebrations. Despite the large crowd, nothing untoward happened, people were very well behaved.
I couldn't have chosen better: Siem Reap, Cambodia.
It is a laid back town, heavily invested in tourism, the face of which is changing with the invasion of Chinese tourists.
But today and tonight (31 December 2018 and 1 January 2019) the local Khmers claimed their land, their space and spread their natural gaiety..
The joy in the air was genuine, not the Are we having fun yet? kind.
The day began with a nice asian breakfast of Noodles, fruits and a mild tea (wished for Teh Tahrek). A visit to the Computer store resolved the external drive problem I had to deal with for years. When labour of any sort is involved, Asian countries are the better choice for immediate and courteous resolution of your problems (technical for example).
PassApp is one of the most effective application for a visitor to a new city that I have ever seen. Much like other share ride apps, you plug in your location and the destination and the type of vehicle you want : A Car, An Indian Auto Rickshaw or a traditional Khmer Tuk Tuk. Within minutes they are at your doorstep and the rate is extremely reasonable and you have no haggling to do. Polite, timely and very convenient.
I had the chance to use the APP a couple of times today. A quick visit to a Ceramics place which was rather dull in colour and activity, a national museum which is attached to a shopping centre (possibly owned by the same people). Tourism has grown so dramatically in Siem Reap which converted this sleepy village (somewhat dangerous with many mines in the temple areas) in late 1990s to a bustling mini town with all its advantages and disadvantages, Improvements in infrastructure has not taken priority, but there has been good improvements in the Gastronomy sphere.
A short ride and the lunch was ready. A farm to table, modest restaurant close to the Beyond Yangon Boutique Hotel.
A little siesta before the festivities began and this one has my own individual stamp on it.
Had a sip of wine or two with the owner of the hotel where I am staying Beyond Yangon Boutique Hotel, who is also my burmese brother, Ko Maung Maung. He was too tired to wait up to see the new year in, but we chatted about the changes in Siem Reap in the many years we have known each other.
Time for dinner:
Genevieve was the choice and I had already spoken to the owner, who is an australian from Melbourne.
Had a chance to chat with the pleasant owner of the place and we exchanged bits of our australian pasts.
He is genuinely concerned about his staff and the people living near where he obtains his vegetables.
Walking towards the centre of town, the surge of humanity was the force and i was truly happy that instead of few tourists drinking and singing loudly out of tune songs with beer bottles about them, the place was full of young and not so young Khmer people truly having a good time. Music blared and bodies swayed.
I could honestly say that this was one of the nicest end of the year celebrations that I have attended. Thank you Siem Reap..
