In the shadow of the mountains

Monday, December 1, 2025

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

Thursday, November 27, 2025

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 shadier 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.