Sovisoth

Melbourne at night

Pong Savada Khmer

Angkor Beer, Cambodia

The perfect antidote to the “templed out” backpacker syndrome.

By Bill Bradley
(Darwin, NT, Australia)

One of my favorite memories of a backpacking trip around S.E. Asia last year was the excellence of the local brews. Names like Chang, Beer Lao and Singha come to mind.

For me the best of them all was Angkor Beer in Cambodia.

Picture this, a hard morning wandering around the magnificent ruins of Preah Khan, photographing and sketching among these 800 year old ruins of the once great Khmer Empire. The tropical heat and humidity starts to take its toll and for this Aussie retiree, the “happy hour” has arrived.

Not the measly 50 cents reduction in price that the Aussie pubs give for one hour only, but large 750ml bottles of full strength 6.5% abv lager type beer for about a quarter of what is normal at home.

Ignoring the cries of “We have cold coca cola, sir,” I settle for one lady who rushes forward with “I have cold beer, ice cold, sir” and happily sit in the shade, put my feet up and take that first magic taste of Angkor beer from Cambodia.

Around about the time of my second “long neck” (Aussie slang for large bottle, as opposed to “stubbie” for the small one) I am getting relaxed enough to reach for my sketchbook and begin to scratch about a bit in pen and ink.

This activity always brings interest and interaction with the locals.

Source: http://www.united-nations-of-beer.com/angkor-beer-cambodia.html

Robam Sva in 1967

Cambodia in the past (footage 1930’s)

Sand Art

The World Bank Essay Competition 2009

WANTED:  The Next Generation of ‘Green’ Entrepreneurs

Climate change has been identified as one of the biggest global threats of our time. Scientists agree that global warming and extreme climate phenomena can be increasingly attributed to human activity – in particular, heavy emission of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, resulting from industrial processes.

Solutions to those pressing problems could lie in the rapidly growing ‘green economy’:  environmentally sustainable enterprises, technological innovations (new sources of clean, renewable energy), energy efficiency measures, economic incentives for low-carbon choices, etc. How can youth contribute?

The Essay Competition 2009 invites youth to share ideas on:

How does climate change affect you?
How can you tackle climate change through youth-led solutions?

Please answer both questions:

1. How does climate change affect you, your country, town or local community? How do you think it will affect you in the future? Think about the consequences for employment, health, security and other areas of your life.

2. What can you do, working together with your peers, to address the problem of climate change in your country, town or local community? Think specifically about the role of youth-led initiatives in the ‘green economy’.

Who can participate?

The International Essay Competition is open to all young people, students and non-students alike, between the ages of 18 and 25, from all countries of the world.

If you are at least 18 and not older than 25 on June 15, 2009, you are eligible to participate.

Khmer TV Comedy

The Voice-Celtic Woman