oNe PhOtO a DaY DeCeMbEr 2022:

DECEMBER 1st I LOVE THIS: Very few people who are not Aussies can even tolerate this but as an Aussie I can say I absolutely love it!

DECEMBER 2nd I BOUGHT THIS: My first piece of Cambodian art which is in fact a reproduction on canvas, was bought in Battambang a couple of weeks ago. It was a special experience buying from and chatting to the artist himself in his studio and I couldn’t resist taking a photo at the time. It was only later that I realized that the original is actually hanging on the wall behind Ian and Loeum Lorn. It is now framed and hanging in the living room and I love it. We are returning to Battambang next weekend so there will definitely be a return to the studio too

 

DECEMBER 3 STARTS WITH T: Train on the tracks

 

DECEMBER 4th I HELD THIS: bunch of beautiful flowers in my hand as I carefully climbed the four flights of stairs up to our apartment. Despite knowing how environmentally unfriendly cut flowers are, I sometimes can’t resist them and especially Oriental Lilies as the scent is so beautiful. They now have pride of place on the hall table and I can smell them even before I open the front door

 

DECEMBER 5th SOMETHING RED: Now that the monsoon season seems to be over, rambutans have suddenly appeared in the fruit carts in the streets. They are something red and something very delicious. Breakfast is looking even more delicious these days

 

DECEMBER 6th PEACE: A sign I spotted and edited. The message is clear

 

DECEMBER 7th TREE: This is my favourite green space in the city - the garden surrounding Wat Phnom. It’s only a five-minute walk from home and it was almost completely empty as we strolled by on our walk to the bakery this morning

 

DECEMBER 8th LOOKING UP: We are back to our regular walking along the riverside routine and the precinct is much more attractive and even more populated than ever after the ASEAN Summits. Twilight looking up at the palms

DECEMBER 9th SMALL: The small brass whistle attached to my new canvas handbag. I just started using it recently and this is a safety feature except I can hardly get a sound out of it so I’m going to have to practice so I will be able to if I’m ever in need

 

DECEMBER 10th OUT + ABOUT: After heading off at 5:45am and training it to Battambang I found this charming street art wandering out and about in the old section of town

 

DECEMBER 11th FREE CHOICE: Barry’s Battambang birthday cocktails at Miss Wong tonight

  

DECEMBER 12^th LIGHTS: Tonight, we attended the incredible show “Never Give Up” by the Phare Circus in Battambang. This show chronicled the troupe’s survival through the pandemic. They are a part of the visual, fine and performing arts school, training young people with marketable, artistic talents and skills. It was the lights, the costumes and the theatricality, which enabled the performers to shine 

 

DECEMBER 13th SOMETHING GREEN: The ripening rice crop near Battambang certainly fits that descriptor

 

DECEMBER 14th DECORATION: The birthday celebration we attended last night included this incredible platter, which I initially thought was a table decoration. It is in fact made up of mini serves of traditional Khmer desserts intricately shaped and patterned to represent flowers and the few we tasted were absolutely delicious. It looked like a mandala

DECEMBER 15th A STAR: This little star is woven from pandan leaves as are many of the packages for the beautiful products created by Senteur d’Angkor. Today while shopping for gifts to take home I spotted this little yellow star and added it to what I had chosen just for the prompt. Since Xmas is not really big in these parts, I believe it’s a charm for a purse, bag or phone not a decoration

 

DECEMBER 16th CANDY CANE: I have been trying to keep this month about Cambodia not Xmas since it’s not a big thing here, but there is not much wiggle room with candy cane. Here is my attempt at creating one from chocolate so I hope that counts. I know some little laneway kids who will be delighted to receive this on a platter with other candy, slices of cake and other treats on Xmas morning too, even if they have no idea why. Bah humbug

 

DECEMBER 17th A HAT: This ‘cyclo’ rider waiting for customers on the perimeter of the market this morning got a big kick out of me taking his photo. He rocks the best sunhat for his profession

 

DECEMBER 18th I MADE THIS!: Xmas dessert platter and all the baked treats on it. My first attempt to assemble and present one and I will do at least one more on the big day. I can hardly wait to give it away. The joy is in the giving

 

DECEMBER 19th JOY IS: delivering the Xmas treats to our former landlords via their twin grandchildren, who were so happy to get them, managed to say “We miss you,” in English and then seeing them eating the shortbread just five minutes later. When we first met them five years ago these girls were so shy that they ran away at the mere sight of us. That’s what community is all about

DECEMBER 20th BEGINS WITH S: Now that we are back in Kep selfie in the sun by the sea is the best option in my mind

 

DECEMBER 21st ON THE FLOOR: The deck of a boat qualifies as a floor to me, so this is how our day trip to Rabbit Island got underway this morning. Even when there are plenty of seats available they choose to sit cross legged on the floor

 

DECEMBER 22nd A GIFT: Being back in our old stomping ground and heading home to Oz for the first time in over four and a half years means we have purchased a local gift or two today but we don’t want to give the game away, so here is a sneak preview

 

DECEMBER 23rd A TRADITION: This week, after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, we were able to revive the tradition of organising a day trip to Rabbit Island for the little monks of Kep. It is also a tradition to take a photograph of the whole group of monks and all those who attended on the day immediately before boarding the boats back. This is the shot I took of them with their new teacher before handing my phone over to the captain to get another with us two in it too. Making more monk memories

 

DECEMBER 24th SOMEONE I LOVE: is this gorgeous man looking as Xmasy as possible in the tropics. About to have cocktails as a start to the celebrations

 

DECEMBER 25th MY DAY: started with a three-kilometre walk to The Fox Tale to deliver shortbread and share a Mimosa with a new Aussie mate. We’re always pretty low key about Xmas except for the baking aspect. We progressed to delivering candy canes and Xmas cake and finally distributing local candy and cookies to the laneway and stairway kids where we live. It’s really all about giving

 

 

DECEMBER 26th THIS IS DELISH!: Our Xmas Brunch was Shakshuka and it most certainly was delish

DECEMBER 27th COLOURFUL: I’m much more into coordinated than colourful as my clothes, accessories and home decor will attest to. I have been completely focused on packing to travel and preparing our home for our five weeks of absence so this is it. I found the colourful Bhutanese keyring which has the keys to our Australian home on it, even though I seem to have lost the keys to our storage unit, and they are placed on one of the most colourful of the cushion covers I have recently bought here

 

DECEMBER 28th A BOOK: Not such a great photo but I took it yesterday when I finished reading it in digital format so I had a copy of the details, because I intend to buy a paperback version as a gift and now that I am in airport no man’s land I realise that today’s prompt is a book so that was very fortuitous. We are on our way home

DECEMBER 29th US: in Australia with Aussie mates who are hosting us. This was taken in a great backyard garden. We are home for the first time in so long and we are already loving it despite the almost complete lack of sleep in the last twenty four hours

DECEMBER 30th HOW I RELAX: Over bubby on the balcony with friends, who were the only witnesses at our marriage ceremony and all four of us have not been together in the same place at the same time for over 20 years

 

DECEMBER 31st BEST PART OF 2022: It’s a hard call but purchasing our apartment in Phnom Penh, moving in and beginning a new phase of our lives there would have to be the stand out, though coming back to Australia for the first time in over four and a half years is also pretty wonderful

 

THE PROMPTS 

Seasons Greetings

A year that saw many changes in us and our lives is coming to a close and later than ever I’m about to pen a greeting. 

Last year was so lifeless we didn’t even write one and we all know why. This year began in Phnom Penh after having spent Xmas 2021 in Battambang on the first of what turned out to be several return trips there.

 

We reflected a lot about the way our lives were progressing and the state of progress and development in Kep while we were in the capital. The idea to perhaps move here was then born. 

By February we had talked it over with expat mates and begun the search for a new place. Suffice to say the process was way more complicated than we could ever have imagined and even after committing it took until June to hold the keys in our hands and feel that overwhelming sense of relief that the long wait was over. 

The phasing out of teaching the classes for the little monks of Kep was heart wrenching and difficult but we found a way forward and an incredibly talented Khmer speaking replacement. To ease the transition we did trips to the local Butterfly Farm and beach together before actually saying goodbye, and of course we continue to visit them and offer what limit support we can. 

The neighbours and especially the family with whom we shared our space and life in Kep for almost five years was an equally difficult community to leave and one we feared we would never replace. We remain in contact and visit them on every trip back and feel very grateful for the connection. 

By July we had completed major renovation projects and hosted our first guest, Barry, who arrived just days before we contracted the dreaded big C!! He and we got some time together and we avoided contaminating him and he was a good sport about the situation but it was far from an ideal outcome. 

Come August Ian took a tumble down the dilapidated and downright dangerous staircase leading up to our fourth floor apartment at the second level. It is on the needs to be repaired list but we have learned paperwork, approval and actually getting the work done can be a very slow and frustrating process. We will get there eventually. 

The fall resulted in a very painful fractured pelvis and a month of as little movement as possible whilst confined to the bedroom for Ian! A further two weeks of weight bearing still trapped in the apartment followed before X-rays and doctors confirmed all was on track and returning to normal activities was once again possible. I became the chief cook, bottle washer, general slave and nurse but we survived and it all healed well enough to be mobile again and getting out and about together in late September. 

We did another rehab trip to Battambang to walk, swim and generally regain a sense of adventure, explore more and resume an active lifestyle. Battambang is now a firm favourite location and has a lot to offer. The original historic buildings, uncluttered riverside zone, cultural offerings and a very laid back atmosphere ensure it’s always going to be on our itinerary. Barry even returned to celebrate his birthday with us there recently and we did our best to make it double the fun to compensate for the previous visit.  We also discovered a few new hangouts in our now more familiar neighbourhood and all agreed this was a fabulous time together cementing and celebrating our more than thirty year friendship. 

Living in PP has brought many of the advantages we foresaw including richer cultural offerings, a vibrant street life, better connections to other regions, more readily available medical treatments, which we did unfortunately have to avail of and a much more diverse availability of fresh produce and food offerings. 

Unexpectedly we have also discovered that the fireworks displays we have only ever glimpsed from the streets or budget hotels are clearly visible from our own terrace, there is a niche for us in the local community who have rallied and assisted us not only when Ian had his accident but on a regular basis, a welcoming international expat clan who accept and include us as well as a slow, simple, sustainable and secure lifestyle to embrace.

A big shout out to Dennis and Philip who have been real mates and a huge help and support through what has been a challenging process and an extended settling in period. You have been absolute champions. 

Yes there are challenges, inconveniences and obstacles, bureaucracy and 

obstinately obnoxious aspects, pollution and problems but where aren’t there? We choose not to focus on those things and look for the positives and embrace gratitude so I can say despite it all we love our current lifestyle and our new abode. 

 

Just days ago we revived the tradition of taking the little monks of Kep on a day trip to Rabbit Island and the one and only thing that will make me happier in 2022 is to return to Australia to see friends and family for the first time in over four and a half years. 

So, just in the nick of time allow me to wish you all a very Merry Xmas and a very Happy New Year dear friends near and far. May you feel joy, stay safe and be at peace with who you are, where you are and what will come. 

With much love 

From

Vicky and Ian xxxxx

oNe PhOtO a DaY NoVeMbEr 2022:

NOVEMBER 1st A COLLECTION: of glassware from our breakfast table this morning in the very charming Oh Battambang Boutique Hotel 

 

The full breakfast we were served

NOVEMBER 2nd A BOOK COVER: I spotted this book on a table in the hotel lobby the day we arrived, took a quick look at it and wondered why I had never seen it before. Then yesterday we stumbled across it again in our favourite social enterprise, retail outlet. So far, I have resisted buying it but I know I would love it and it might just find its way into my luggage before we leave Battambang

 

NOVEMBER 3rd A SHOP FRONT: The traditional shophouses in Cambodia vary slightly from province to province and those in Battambang are well preserved and often beautifully renovated. This shop front is one we have admired every trip here and this time is no exception

NOVEMBER 4th A FOR SALE SIGN: I’m assuming there is a for sale sign amongst these but I really have no idea since I can’t read the Khmer script

NOVEMBER 5th A BRIDGE: in the main downtown area of Battambang

 

NOVEMBER 6th A FENCE: A one of a kind bamboo fence in the garden courtyard setting of one of my all-time favourite businesses, which has survived and started growing again after the difficult times of recent years. I might just have splurged on a few new clothing items recently right here

NOVEMBER 7th I DIDN’T MAKE THIS: but it’s a veggo platter and looks exactly like something I would and do make. I remembered it fondly from our last visit to this restaurant and that’s exactly why I ordered it

 

NOVEMBER 8th THROW IT: This is an archive shot of one of the littlest monks we ever taught and the image came straight into my head the moment I read today’s prompt. An was never a keen student but he delighted in the opportunities to play that our classes provided

*It was also selected for the Fab Four on the day I posted it

NOVEMBER 9th AN UNMADE BED: Even in hotels I always make the bed before leaving the room. It’s a habit trained into me in childhood. Last Friday the morning we checked out of our hotel I snapped this photo as it amused me that we are sometimes such opposites. Ian’s bag is completely packed and mine is almost completely empty with the contents strewn all over my side of the bed while I contemplate the best way to get all that stuff in there. And yes, the bed is unmade

 

NOVEMBER 10th POWER LINES: Many places all over the kingdom have a tangle of power lines at every intersection and Battambang was no exception. Though I must admit to the credit of municipal authorities, we saw teams of workers removing those no longer in use and replacing the old cables, several times during our stay. 

*This one was also chosen in the Fab Four collection on Facebook on the day

It was hard to select just one image so this was a close second. Battambang still has a lot of its traditional architecture and old-world charm intact 

NOVEMBER 11th AN ARROW: leading the way up to one of my favourite shops in Phnom Penh and me reflected in their fabulous new logo. Fabulous Dorsu where I just happened to be shopping for the third time in three weeks. That’s the monthly selfie sorted too

 

NOVEMBER 12th IN MY POCKET: So very few of my clothes have pockets so when they do the most likely items within will be my keys a mask and tissues!  That's it for today

 

NOVEMBER 13th A CLOSED SIGN: at one of my favourite eateries in the capital. I love a dosa

 

NOVEMBER 14th A FLOCK OF BIRDS: Hornbills to be precise. We see them quite often and they seem almost prehistoric and very awkward in flight but I’m totally fascinated by them. They roost very near where we live and fly overhead regularly

 

NOVEMBER 15th HAND SHADOWS: Yesterday we went to see the “Walking Through a Songline” popup digital experience, which is currently in Phnom Penh. Although very short, it was a wonderful exhibition and we enjoyed it several times over and played around with creating shadows on the projections on the walls and floor as we were the only ones there at the time. I took these shots of my hand shadow with my phone then turned them into a collage for this prompt

 

NOVEMBER 16th RUNNING WATER: We have been out and about all day today and decided to eat lunch in one of our favourite vegan cafes. I’m always glad to see these ‘refill not landfill’ stations and had to avail of the running water to top up my water bottle. Say no to plastic

NOVEMBER 17th WRINKLES: This postcard depicts a wrinkled but charming, rural, Khmer woman. It is a reproduction of the beautiful watercolour artwork of local artist and photographer Loeum Lorn.  In the past few years I have bought several different images on every trip to Battambang and this trip was no exception

 

NOVEMBER 18th EMPTY TABLE: At 5pm on a Friday night, it’s not easy to score an empty table with a view of the river but we got lucky today

 

NOVEMBER 19th ROCKS: In a secluded little corner of the garden a bed of rocks frames a wilting, yellowing leaf. Nature taking its course aesthetically

*surprisingly this one was selected for the Fab Four on Facebook

 

NOVEMBER 20th AFTERNOON LIGHT: The street scene from our terrace bathed in that warm, late afternoon light

NOVEMBER 21st HALF FULL: The annual traditional Xmas cake bake has already commenced. Batch one is baked and now deliciously scenting the kitchen is a half full pot of dried fruit: cranberries, raisins, sultanas, apricots, melon, mango, pineapple, dates, kiwi fruit, ginger and peel all boiled in butter, juice and stout, with spices added and now set aside for three days to brew up nicely. ………. It has to remain in the pot as I don’t have a bowl big enough to contain it and the eggs and flour that are yet to be stirred into it

 

NOVEMBER 22 GRAFFITI: The Khmer graffiti wall in a cool, new, creative space I have recently discovered in Phnom Penh. I love the handwritten messages in several languages jumbled up with stencilled Khmer images and names

 

NOVEMBER 23rd UGLY FOOD: For the longest time the appearance of dragon fruit put me off trying them. Now however I’m a complete convert and buy two or three a week. Chilled with yoghurt they make the best breakfast but I only ever buy the red ones and have only just recently learned to tell which is which without seeing one cut

 

NOVEMBER 24th A TALL BUILDING: still under construction and like so much of the development here over-shadowing and juxtaposing with the more traditional structures around it. The evolving face of modern Phnom Penh

 

NOVEMBER 25th A SPIDER WEB: indigenous art illustration from a gorgeous a collection of children’s books I still have. This is a Dreamtime story about the power of magic and the dot art is the reason I can’t part with them. The drawings are beautiful and much to my delight after thoroughly cleaning in preparation for the arrival of our house guest this afternoon there is not a spider web to be seen in our place

 

NOVEMBER 26th A FUNNY SHAPE: An interesting, ceramic sculpture in the beautiful house in Kep we just arrived at and where we will take couple of days break. I’ve always thought it was a funny shape and it reminds me of origami but I really like it and the decor of the entire place in fact

 

NOVEMBER 27th A SPLASH: Swimming laps is like meditation to me. I can feel my mind calm and my body relax as we do laps together. I could barely contain myself long enough to take this shot of Ian creating a splash before I created one of my own yesterday just after arriving in Kep

NOVEMBER 28th SOMETHING HIDDEN: Through the statues dedicated to donors at the pagoda there is a glimpse of Rabbit Island, which is almost hidden from view but constantly on the minds of the little monks of Kep. We have taken them there on day trips twice and the requests to repeat this experience are constantly being made. Today we visited and proposed to the Abbot that we do it again with them next month but the boys do not know that yet

 

NOVEMBER 29th A LIST: I came across today when I was reading a little booklet put out by the Australian Embassy containing many varied facts and figures about Australia. As an expat I’ve always had one as it is so embarrassing to be living in another country and not be able to supply answers to locals on the many topics that one is invariably asked about. This habit started in my first overseas posting in China, where information was scarce in 1989, well before Google could easily solve such an issue and I still always pick one up in the embassy whenever we need to go there. Now that we have booked our tickets we are turning our thoughts towards Australia and with a bit of luck and a fair wind we may even receive an invite to Friday night drinks at the embassy this week for the first time ever

 

NOVEMBER 30th A FAMILY MEMBER: Not so much a family member as THE family member that my world revolves around. In fact, the only family member I have seen or spent any time with in the last four and a half years. Ian is never happier than when he has a serve of rice and a curry in front of him. I went with the most recent shot I have of him and it was this one taken three days ago

A late update: This was was also selected for the Fab Four on the day I posted it and I only just discovered that

 

THE PROMPTS