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Showing posts from 2011

Bike MS: Waves to Wine 2011 & Why I Ride (Updated w/ Final numbers!)

The Saturday Super Slugs getting ready to roll: Carl, Katrina, Sam, Tadashi and the team hero Dennis (courtesy of Phyllis Taylor) The Super Slugs rode in the Bike MS: Waves to Wine for the second year, although this time the team was more than double the size.  In additional to the original three,

Enjoying a quiet, rainy night

With the exception of pub street and the beer gardens, Siem Reap closes down by 9 pm.  Tonight it rained quite heavy, so I decided to enjoy the perfect weather and the music of the amphibious animal that is like a frog, but not a frog (and no, It's not a toad).  Nobody we know can translate the name into English, but after many years of hearing it, we were finally lucky enough to see it (sorry, no photo).  It only comes out when it rains and it sounds like a calming, rhythmic zuzuvela (yes, I know that sounds like a contradiction).  After spending half an hour out here, I decided it wad high time to crack open a beer and read a book. Tonight reminds me why I love this town. I'll be sad to leave next week.  It's been a fantastic summer, and I think we've both learned that apartments are definitely the way to go.

My New Favorite Fruits

Mangosteen & Dragon Fruit   I've always loved the fruit in Asia, especially the pineapple (which I

Enjoying the early morning

Was up early this morning and couldn't go back to sleep.  I heard the temple music, so I thought I'd get up, make a pot of tea and edit the book while enjoying the music.  It's a hot but beautiful morning.

EXCITING NEWS about the book!

This summer is officially a success: We now officially have a first draft of the book!  It's not in print yet, but Tadashi is posing with the first chapter we had printed up a while ago.

A Picnic at West Baray (Lake)

The other day, Sophath invited us to a picnic at the West Baray, which is a lake West of the famous temple Angkor Wat.  We were happy for the invitation and had a great time.  In attendance were Sophath, his wife Dahlin, and their daughter Leak (pronounced "Leah", whom we named), in addition to our new friends DJ, Chhuy and Hong Kong, as well as hong Kong's girl friend. The picnic party The West Baray is the largest lake near Siem reap, and the far end has lots of picnic shelters that you rent for the afternoon; they come with shade, a mat to cover the dirt and hammocks.  We were a large group, so we rented two little "rooms", one for eating and one for the hammocks. As is the custom, Sophath made yummy fried chicken.  Siem Reap has a KFC now, but we had

American Independence Day in Cambodia

We celebrated Independence day with our Cambodian friends, including Sophath as well as Leak and Bun and their adorable son Chan Noriet (aka Mario). We had a great spread, which was appreciatd by all.

Tadashi's Guitar

Tadashi misses two things when we travel: Doritos and his guitar.  Today Tadashi finally got a guitar.  It was only $25 (that's less than our used Cambodian bicycles), and he'll be gifting it to DJ when we leave.

Our Siem Reap Apartment

Tadashi and our good friends: Horn, DJ and Sophath As you probably know, Tadashi and I came to Siem Reap to finish our book.  Since we'll be here for over a month, we thought it wise to get an apartment so we could spread out, have two desks and cook.  Our good friend

Another Night at the Bar

DJ, Sophath & Tadashi The other night, our friend Sophath called and invited us to "a night of drinking." That can only mean one thing: more karaoke. This time, we charged up the cameras before we left the house. But first, we had dinner at our favorite road-side stall. The tables are on the sidewalk, and the kitchen is which in a schoolyard. The schoolyard walls make a great shelf for the cook. Yummy Dinner

A Drunken Holiday in Cambodia

You folks all know how much I love Cambodia, but last night was a testament to that. Our good friend, Sophath, who is like a brother to us, treated us to an action-packed evening. First, a Khmer BBQ dinner at street stall (Yum!) with Sophath, his wife Dahlin and daughter Leak (pronounced "Leah"; you may recall that we named Leak, so she's a like a God-daughter to us). Also at the table were four of Sophath's employees, De Jay, Hong Kong, Horn and Cheuey (pronounced "chewy"). It was a fun bunch. Sophath brought a bottle of gin and the drinking commenced with many, many rounds of gin and tonics. A good time was had by all.