The lessons and blessings of 2025

 

This has been the best year yet for connection. There have been an abundance of simple celebrations, making new connections, reviving old ones and maintaining close ones. 

For me finding not only that we love to host friends and family, but that we now enjoy being hosted too, has been a revelation. 

We have always paid our own way and especially tried to avoid staying with even long term friends with only very few exceptions but in the past 12 month we have stayed with friends in both Australia and Cambodia and hosted more guests than ever before too.  Feeling a sense of belonging in another household and contributing to it is special.  

 

With friendships that have survived decades of us living abroad , seen career and relationship disasters, weddings and children and now grandchildren, there is a sense of belonging that cannot be replaced.  A few weeks of reconnecting in Australia made us both feel incredibly fortunate to have such a wonderful tribe of unique and eccentric friends: too many to include photographs of everyone but you know who you are and how well loved you are too. The time spent with family was also thoroughly enjoyable and well overdue. 

For us the greatest blessing of the time we have spent in the Kingdom of Wonder will always be our continuing engagement with the little monks of Kep. Many of those original boys have now taken very divergent paths in life and are no longer little but several have gone on to become ordained monks.  It was pure joy for us to see one of the older students from our original class now able to conduct formal ceremonies and manage the affairs of the monastery in the absence of the Abbot. He always showed such potential and purpose and to see him now flourishing is wonderful. 

While it might seem there is a free flow of alcohol and cocktails from the images selected here, there have also been some alcohol free days and the mandatory month of abstinence.  

The only positive that came from losing connection from Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp for over three weeks, was that I suddenly realized how overwhelmingly biased towards the metaverse all my communications were and started writing emails again. More blogs were also posted as well as choosing alternative apps. Long term friends across the globe responded quickly and that was heartwarming.  

The Cambodian community in  which we live continues to feel friendly, inclusive, welcoming and supportive. They also enjoy the frequent visits of our guests and friends who they constantly see trouping through the communal zones and delight in now recognizing many of them . 

The cultural backdrop of Cambodia has changed in recent months and there is an undeniable feeling of anger at the current escalation of ongoing conflict with Thailand. While that means there is an underlying sense of unease, the camaraderie of people and unwavering support and generosity they exhibit is delightful. They are more than happy to assist each other in any way possible. This bond is strengthening daily and is a joy to witness.   

We remain very grateful to be able to contribute in a very small way by volunteering over the holiday period and are glad that this year’s efforts are directed towards both vulnerable children and families and the ever growing numbers of displaced people and refugees. 

May peace return  and sense prevail soon. 

Wishing you all the very best of the holiday season and a safe, healthy and fun year ahead. 

One PhOtO a DaY NoVeMbEr 2025

 NOVEMBER 1st SOMETHING BLUE I SAW TODAY:  the decor of the coffee shop we took a break in this afternoon 

NOVEMBER 2nd SOMETHING RED IN MY HOME: The “Om” hanging above the kitchen doorway in our apartment. I think I might have a serious obsession with this symbol given the number I possess and that this is the second time I’ve posted images of it in the last month 

NOVEMBER 3rd A YELLOW CAR: Tuk tuks are cars too and the kind we most frequently ride to boot 

NOVEMBER 4th A TONE OF BROWN OUTSIDE: In a tiny precinct hidden away in a largely unknown corner of Phnom Penh there is a collection of street art that is ever evolving as is the precinct itself. This one seemed to showcase brown 

NOVEMBER 5th SOMETHING PASTEL AND SOFT: the sunset tonight was all pastel with fluffy soft clouds. We love you Kep 

NOVEMBER 6th SOMETHING GREEN THAT GROWS: Pots of water lilies are a common sight in traditional Khmer households and the lush green leaves are as attractive as the flowers in my view

NOVEMBER 7th A BRIGHT SIGN: promoting taking care of the environment with the key words translating to cleanliness, greenery sustainability. Today’s find in the early morning at Wat Sampov Pram on Bokor Mountain in Kampot 

NOVEMBER 8th SOMETHING PINK | SPOTTED: Lotus blooms in a pot

NOVEMBER 9th SOMETHING METALLIC: This is so Cambodian and all recycled and demonstrating that nothing is waste - a adapted wheel rim, reinforcing rod, pipe and welding equipment equals a home made weighted umbrella stand 

NOVEMBER 10th ORANGE IN NATURE: I’m not sure if it’s moss or lichen but the orange is certainly overtaking Le Bokor Palace and every other building in in that zone

NOVEMBER 11th WHITE AND SIMPLE: The simplest method of communication is a letter and just about all envelopes are white so I’m going with the letter that arrived this morning. My snail mail project isn’t about getting replies but it’s always a thrill when I do 

NOVEMBER 12th SOMETHING PURPLE: The design made of shells and lacquer inside the coconut shell bowl I spotted in the market today caught my attention 

NOVEMBER 13th SOMETHING COLOURFUL IN THE SHOPS: My eat a rainbow diet means I just can’t go past the fruit and veg 

NOVEMBER 14th COOL COLOURS: Fretwork, interiors and other features of the interior of these buildings in the old quarter of Phnom Penh are traditionally in this cool colour range of pale blue to grey green. I don’t really know its name but it’s shades of aqua, turquoise or aquamarine and I love it enough to maintain it it our home 

NOVEMBER 15th SOMETHING WITH LOTS OF COLOURS: Tonight’s grazing table offerings to celebrate a birthday fits the bill 

NOVEMBER 16th CALM COLOURS: My selection from the Art Market we attended today. Hanuman depicted in cool calming colours 

NOVEMBER 17th A COLOUR I WEAR A LOT: Anyone who knows me knows. I even bothered to change into my fave orange outfit for this photo today as the table tennis shorts just didn’t cut the mustard even though they were the right colour  

* WOW … this was selected in the best ten on the day on Facebook - a self portrait on timer 

NOVEMBER 18th SOMETHING BLACK WITH TEXTURE: spotted in our neighbourhood today returning from the market

NOVEMBER 19th A COLOURFUL PATTERN: from a distant kingdom where textiles speak in bold colours, striking designs and cultural and regional  connection. I love my Bhutanese backpack and use it often

NOVEMBER 20th NEON & BRIGHT: and atmospheric too 

NOVEMBER 21st RAINBOW COLOURS: in a little souvenir I bought in Bhutan and now they make me smile every time I enter the Aerie

NOVEMBER 22nd A COLOUR I LOVE IN MY HOME: calming blue in all its various tones features heavily in the Aerie. A nod to the principals of Feng Shui to keep a balance and maintain harmony, some zones are cool and calming and others warm and energising 

NOVEMBER 23rd TWO COLOURS I LIKE TOGETHER: One of them just had to be orange and although it’s not really a colour black combines with it best

NOVEMBER 24th WARM COLOURS: that’s a sunset in Kep literally and figuratively 

NOVEMBER 25th I SEE THIS COLOUR A LOT: Pale yellow is an indication that the building is of historic interest. It is a feature of both external and internal walls all over Cambodia. This one is the first Police Station of the city and until only a few days ago it was behind a much taller fence and trees and other foliage were growing out of the roof and walls. I’m hoping they are going to restore or renovate and not demolish 

NOVEMBER 26th POLKA DOTS!! always make me think about indigenous Australian Art. This little coaster is a real favourite of mine and just happens to match my water bottle perfectly

NOVEMBER 27th 27. A POP OF COLOUR: in the form of a cyclo rider taking a break in the heat of the day while waiting for his passenger, caught my attention out walking today. There were actually about 20 of them along the street all with the same bright green pop of colour vehicles and shirts 

NOVEMBER 28th A COLOURFUL FOOD OR DRINK: My go to “eat a rainbow” dish - roasted and raw salad. Never grows old in our house

NOVEMBER 29th COLOURFUL SHAPES: The cover of the brochure I picked up yesterday and which is unfortunately in French and Khmer but I can understand at least the photographer’s name, country of origin and the venue so I’ve got essentials. We have already seen two of the exhibitions and hope to see at least one more this weekend 

NOVEMBER 30th FREE CHOICE (YOUR PICK!): this is the season for firework displays and this one is orange. How could I resist? 

PROMPTS

Unveiling the old police station in Phnom Penh

 I’m glad Ian noticed that there were changes in the block where the old police station stands as we passed at the other end of the street, on our way to buy bus tickets earlier this week. 

When we went back to investigate, we noticed the fence has been lowered and the vines and trees that were growing through the walls and roof have been removed. It looked promising that things were going to move forward from that abandoned look it has had ever since we first spotted it. 

However, now the trees are gone from the street side, too. Less shade is never great. When walking, which is most of the time, we often take tree-lined streets, even when the distance is greater, just for the shade. So many of the footpaths are either swallowed in carts and out door seating for roadside stalls, used for parking, lined with laundry, piled with abandoned possessions and throw-away junk or cluttered with supplies for construction. Walking anywhere requires carefully selecting a route and using the roads as often as the pavements. Yet we have continued to be walkers and still clock up five or more kilometers daily. Still it is no easy task, but I digress.  

Tuk tuk drivers were taking a break in the shade of those trees less than a week ago. Some were in hammocks in remorques, others eating lunch from the backseat of the smaller tuk tuks, I refer to as beetles. Often the drivers are sleeping or chatting together or even sitting opposite each other with a wooden chess board between them and a game in progress. 

I fear the loss of those street trees doesn’t augur well for the longevity of the building.  I’m hoping they are going to restore or renovate and not demolish but I do have my doubts. This whole precinct has some fabulous renovations and ethical design development being proposed. Maybe something innovative and stylish will appear. 

Am I the eternal optimist?