THE PROMPTS FOR THE MONTH
MONDAY 1st FUN: A new, free, fun zone has arrived at the beach in Kep. Today was the first time I have seen it packed with giggling local kids. Until now I’ve only ever seen it empty
TUESDAY 2nd THIS IS ME: in my element- doing what I love in the little monks’ class today. Thanks to Ian for the photo – my attempts at selfies were pathetic
WEDNESDAY 3rd ENVIRONMENT: Sometimes the mountains still call to me but for me nothing quite spells the perfect environment in the way that the ocean always will
THURSDAY 4th FLAT LAY: Eleven possessions made in Cambodia
FRIDAY 5th WALK: Quintessential Kep! The mountains behind and the ocean all around. It’s impossible not to walk to the end of this jetty just so you can look back and admire the view
SATURDAY 6th IN BED: Breakfast in bed- that weekend feeling
SUNDAY 7th BROKEN: Time to replace the carry basket on the back of my bike. I bought a new one yesterday because the old one is so broken and damaged that it is no longer possible to carry anything in it safely
MONDAY 8th WEIRD: I think this is some kind of centipede but to me it's pretty weird. This one was in the National Park where it’s welcome to live- not quite so keen on finding them in the house however
TUESDAY 9th YELLOW: The yellow orchid I planted last year is currently absolutely flourishing
WEDNESDAY 10th I DID THIS TODAY: I baked zucchini, spinach and cheese muffins with salted black peppercorns and made a tomato salsa to have with them
THURSDAY 11th FOUR: people on a “moto” is not such an unusual thing here. This was the sight that greeted us at 7:30am on Tuesday, when these little guys came to tell us that we couldn’t have English classes until after the Khmer New Year celebrations were over! So very responsible of them to let us know, even if they were shy and almost silent at the time. We finally got the message via Google translate
*I was also thrilled that this shot was selected in the Fab Four on Instagram for this prompt
FRIDAY 12th CHEESE: Greek salad wouldn’t be the same without feta
SATURDAY 13th LETTERS: in the logo of the Swiss NGO, which upcycles trash and empowers local women in Kep. We are attempting to sell their products today at the Meraki Khmer New Year Garden Party
SUNDAY 14th MAKES ME LAUGH: As early customers in one of our favourite cafes in Kampot this morning, this tiny little waitress with such a professional manner delivered our menus. It made me laugh
MONDAY 15th NIGHT SKY: My new favourite spot to watch the sunset and experience the warm flush of the night sky is the Sailing Club here in Kep
TUESDAY 16th PJS: are everyday daytime wear here for many women and girls. They do suit the climate - not that we wear them normally. This is an archive shot taken on NYE when the local bar (Mangroove Bar and Restaraunt) we frequent held a pyjama party. Excuse the poor quality shot it was taken at night on timer and selfie mode in my phone!
WEDNESDAY 17th LUNCH: We don’t often eat lunch actually. Today, however it was very much required since the Khmer New Year’s Party we hosted last night finished after 4am. A late lunch of a little bit of left over salad with peanut sauce and a dish inspired by the long beans in Ian’s kitchen garden with rice, has made all the difference to the energy levels
THURSDAY 18th PINK: Being my least favourite colour I knew this would have to be a flower and fragrant pink frangipani fits the bill perfectly. Flowers never disappoint even when they are pink
FRIDAY 19th A GOOD THING: I sure hope the homemade double chocolate cake I made this morning is a good thing for our gathering of friends to celebrate Lolo’s birthday tonight at Sea Lovers Guesthouse
SATURDAY 20th SOMEONE YOU LOVE: no doubt about it that would be Ian
SUNDAY 21st EGGS: Sunday morning breakfast bliss- baguettes with the lot!! That’s chilli jam, Vegemite, cheese, tomatoes, basil, amaranth and soft-boiled eggs, served with coffee. Ian’s speciality - I don’t do mornings! Any day that begins like this is going to be fabulous
MONDAY 22nd HIGH: in the sky, the canopy of the coconut palms sway
TUESDAY 23rd APPLE: No doubt about it we are an Apple couple. Currently in possession of 7 working models of various ages- not bad for just two of us
WEDNESDAY 24th GRASS: We ride past these gazebos surrounded by grass right on the ocean front daily and they always look so inviting. Perfect future picnic location now that the high tourist season is almost over
THURSDAY 25th LOW: As the pagoda is under construction now, our classroom has been reconfigured and most of the students are once again writing at the same low tables that they always use for meals too
FRIDAY 26th BLUE: The shutters on traditional Khmer homes are always blue. When I went to take a photo of them at our landlord’s house for this prompt, I spotted him peering out at me and no doubt wondering what I was up to
SATURDAY 27th A GREEN FOOD: A staple in our house homemade Thai basil and green amaranth, peanut pesto and local noodles. It’s a green food I never tire of
SUNDAY 28th DIRTY: black skies and a storm brewing in Kep Bay this morning. The monsoons will soon be upon us
MONDAY 29th FREEDOM: I copied this quote yesterday thinking I would use it for my 100-day project but then this prompt came up today and it seemed so appropriate. Kep Bay looking serenely beautiful. “The oceans are the last free place on the planet” Paul Watson