SEPTEMBER 1st PHOTO FROM OUTSIDE: This morning we hiked to the incredible tree in Kep National Park for a little ’shinrin-yoku’. It used to be clearly visible and sign posted but now the jungle is engulfing it but we were thrilled to see it survived the recent addition of a new concrete road
SEPTEMBER 2nd HAPPINESS IS: visiting the little monks of Kep in the pouring rain and watching the shenanigans they get up to when the Abbot’s away and there is no way to leave the pagoda
*this shot was selected for the fab photos of the day in Facebook
SEPTEMBER 3rd IT’S ME: happy to be back in our old stomping ground and enjoying a vegetarian platter at one of my favourite eateries. No dinner required when lunch looks like that
SEPTEMBER 4th SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL: Tamara Venn created this beautiful print featuring hornbills in a highly recognizable Phnom Penh city scape. I saw it in an exhibition yesterday and absolutely loved it and the fact that her work champions the need for environmental and wildlife preservation. I did resist the urge to purchase a copy but I do love it
SEPTEMBER 5th THIS IS USEFUL: Stainless steel pegs have a multitude of different household applications and are extremely useful. I bought a couple of packs over a year ago and they never breakdown from the sunlight, rust or snap in half like plastic ones or rot and fall apart like the wooden ones. Today, I finally spotted them again and bought three different sizes and almost half have been deployed already
SEPTEMBER 6th FROM DOWN LOW: at the southern entrance to the Central Market when the art deco dome of the original building and the monsoon sky is filtered through the more recently installed security grill, is when it takes on an eerie atmosphere
SEPTEMBER 7th FROM UP HIGH: A night lights shot across Phnom Penh from a sky bar recently discovered. I love that since it was taken after a torrential monsoon downpour the air is clear enough to see some stars and I can even identify many of the buildings having lived in downtown PP for over a year now
SEPTEMBER 8th HECK YES: Do we love our location, apartment and thriving terrace garden? Heck yes!
SEPTEMBER 9th MADE FROM WOOD: This wooden standing Buddha with hands in the Varada Mundra, symbolizes charity and compassion. It was bought after we had signed the contract on our apartment and it now stands in the hatch between the living room and the guest room
SEPTEMBER 10th WHAT I’M WATCHING: Sushil and Ian playing table tennis. For the first time since I shattered my kneecap I get to play, too. Haven’t played in about five years and although we are a bit rusty it is a real delight
SEPTEMBER 11th IN THE MIDDLE: of a bustling metropolis these enormous birds not only survive but thrive. It never ceases to amaze me that we see so many of them so often and it speaks volumes for the quality of air and abundance of fruit bearing trees in the city. This afternoon we saw them in three separate locations while out walking
SEPTEMBER 12th CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT: a decent pair of walking shoes. We clock up over five kilometres a day on our feet and having the right shoes, like this newish pair and breaking them in well is essential
SEPTEMBER 13th IN NATURE: A bit of a stretch for an inner-city dweller but this orange jasmine flowers prolifically. Since we repotted it, as soon as one batch of flowers fall the new buds start reappearing and we enjoy the scent sitting on our terrace. As a result, I can now identify it in other locations around the city and in nature
SEPTEMBER 14th ON MY TABLE: in the entrance are a few little treasures from Bhutan that bring me joy. We both spin the prayer wheel on our way out almost every time we leave
SEPTEMBER 15th ENVIRONMENT: Most of the vendors, from whom we purchase in the local market are well aware of our concern for the environment and wait for us to handover cloth bags, or reusable plastic boxes or package fresh herbs in huge lotus leaves. This morning’s fresh herb purchase included parsley, mint, laksa, Thai basil and fish mint
SEPTEMBER 16th LAST ONE: There are four flights and ninety stairs that lead to our front door and this is the last one
SEPTEMBER 17th WHOLE: The whole neighbourhood is watching one flat screen TV broadcasting a kick boxing match and betting on the outcome. We could hear their shouts and cheering from a block away as we approached on foot this afternoon
SEPTEMBER 18th A PLACE: we have visited multiple times and it looked resplendent as we strolled by this morning. The National Museum in Phnom Penh holds only a small collection but the grounds and internal courtyard are serene and it is such a calming space
SEPTEMBER 19th ON THE FLOOR: are the spectacular circa 1925 floor tiles of the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) building, which opens once a year on Heritage Day. We were lucky enough to have taken part in a guided tour last Saturday
SEPTEMBER THIS IS SEASON: for lazy days swimming in the pool as the intense heat makes a return and the monsoon storms begin to lessen and become less frequent
SEPTEMBER 21st ICE CREAM: Yes please. There is a new joint in town and well we just had to try it. Will we be back? You bet!
*This was selected for the Fab Four on Insta
SEPTEMBER 22nd PASTA: for dinner tonight. Made with fresh local ingredients acquired in the market this morning. Perfect
SEPTEMBER 23rd BOTTLE: This bottle of chestnut liqueur was gifted to me by a friend who recently returned from a trip to his home in France and I’m actually dying to try it. A special occasion coming up in early October might be my chance. Thanks Remi
SEPTEMBER: 24th TRIANGLE: Whenever there is leftover rice at the end of a meal, I turn it into omisubi / onigiri (rice triangles) and somehow, they always disappear off the kitchen counter without me seeing them consumed! Waste not want not
SEPTEMBER 25th MESS: In the florist aisle of the central market the scent is divine and even the mess under the cutting and arrangement table has certain aesthetic
SEPTEMBER 26th GROWN: The little propagation zone on the terrace where many of the plants now flourishing on our terrace were first grown
SEPTEMBER 27th FAR AWAY: That long last look as Australia and our trip home for the first time in almost five years begins to turn into a memory. Taken earlier this year
SEPTEMBER 28th PLAYGROUND: Packed and ready to go. Who says we are looking forward to playtime at the beach? Even big kids need playtime sometimes
SEPTEMBER 29th MOON: I waited all day and hoped to get the harvest moon tonight but well, it was trapped under cloud cover. However, today is Mid Autumn Festival so here are the moon cakes readily available and all over the world right now. They are being consumed across Asia tonight. Cultural connection
SEPTEMBER 30th SMALL: On our morning walk I discovered this small but perfect sea urchin among a crowd of less perfect ones washed in on the tide. I think I need to claim it as a personal treasure for the from the sea collection
THE PROMPTS
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