BattamBangLifeStyle

Eating spiders might be something that normal folks wouldn't like to try but here in Cambodia, it could be considered normal. From what I have heard, these spiders are a treat to local Khmer's and many that have tried them say that their not bad.  By looking at this video, you would think that this would be something out of the show Fear Factor but I have tried many custom foods while being here and I can say that they were all pleasant. So maybe if you plan to visit Cambodia soon, you can put spiders on your need to try list.

In today's Cambodia, only a small percentage of the people here are using the internet for learning, while the rest use are using it for social sites like Facebook.  I friend of mine here in Battambang who is currently teaching English to middle students told me that most the kids only know the internet for Facebook and have no clue that what their using is one of the most powerful information tools on the planet. The internet has vast amounts of information making Facebook only a needle in the haystack. So why have most the students in Cambodia not taken advantage of this tool? My only thought would be that they don't care about anything else on the internet besides Facebook or they just don't know. There is not a lack of education for those wanting to learn English and many schools are popping up everyday, and only a few of them are really concerned about the students education. From my perspective, many of the schools here look at education as a form of profit and not...

A dog can really be a mans best friend. At least that's the term we use in America. A dog can be useful in many ways. In America, dogs can be trained to do all kinds of things like helping the blind, fetching your newspaper when it comes in and even helping you consume leftover bones when done eating. Police train dogs to help them fight crime and firemen use them for searching and rescuing. So a dog can really be a best mans friend in a way if trained properly. In Cambodia, dogs are not that well looked at like they are in the states. They can guard your place one minute and end up in someones pot the next. Yep, that's right, in someones pot. The picture above is a picture I had of my little pup since he was young and now he's not with me anymore. Not because I treated him wrong but most likely do to someones  hunger for this animal. In many places here in Cambodia, dog is considered a special meal. Dog is mainly cooked and eaten when many are having a get together....

‘Soldier’ busted by cops with a little friend Police on Tuesday tried to stop two men riding on a motorbike without a licence plate in the capital’s Sen Sok district, giving chase for about a kilometre before the pair finally gave themselves up. The bike turned out not to be the only thing without a licence when a gun was found on one of the men. He claimed to be a soldier, but police were sceptical of his defence and are still investigating.  Kampuchea Thmey Necklace thief catches a moto he never hailed A 24-year-old was arrested on Tuesday for allegedly snatching the necklace of a young female university student in Phnom Penh’s well-heeled Tuol Kork district. The young woman was heading home from class when two men on a motorbike sped by and grabbed the necklace. Luckily, brave local motodops stepped in, chasing the men until they came off their bike at an intersection. One managed to escape with the loot but the other  was turned over to police.  Koh Santepheap Drunk ...

The Bamboo train has become an adventure for those seeking some excitement. As you can tell by this video, besides tourist who choose to ride for the pleasure of the thrill, Khmer's use this system to transport goods from one end of Battambang to the other. Unfortunately, word has it that this train won't be lasting long do to the approval of a new rail system that's being implemented in the country as I write. Many have said that this is one of the highlights of Battambang, calling it a wild roller coaster ride. Some might agree but as for me, i'm hesitant when it comes to Cambodian ingenuity. So ride at your own risk. For more on Bamboo train, click here.

During the low season, Battambang can be described as an all most to quiet place. This makes networking and getting to know others really difficult. Many seem to be busy with their own life and those that are busy are even too busy to greet you with a simple hello. So what are some things that you can do when everything else seems to be running at a snail pace? Entertainment is not hard to find in Battambang depending on what you like to do. There are many different places that can keep you entertained until you feel like going home and passing out under the mosquito net. Many foreigners might want to try some beer gardens like 71 0r 96 and so forth if you like to have a few beers with friends and chat with single ladies that will tell you anything just to try an earn a tip from you.  Many of the foreign bars are a great way to unwind. Here Be Dragons and places like Cafe Eden  have a great atmosphere during the evening where you can hopefully find a drinking buddy if your...

Brunty's Cider has come to Cambodia with 3 flavors. This beverage here is made from real fruit and no added ingredient. Brunty's Cider has become a popular drink in Phnom Penh and now they are trying to disperse it all across Cambodia. I was able to try these drinks and it almost reminded of a better version of Spy wine cooler. The drink as of now comes in Pear, Apple, and Strawberry. There is also a distributor for this special Cider here in Battambang. Many of the foreign pubs and bars are now carrying it and many that taste this delicious drink are coming back for more. For more information on this product, you can visit their website clicking on the picture above. For those in Battambang or planning on coming, Brunty's Cider can already be found in several places like Here Be Dragons , Bamboo Hotel, The River Bar and Restaurant , and several more places. I will update information when I have it. So if you have not already tried these drinks and like alcoholic f...

This might be a good time to start enforcing building codes. This will prevent crisis like these and help many companies understand that following building guidelines helps with unseen future disasters. Company admits ‘negligence’ in factory disaster | National | National

The River Bar & Restaurant is just over a year old and sits along the Stung Sangker river next to the closed down old bridge in Battambang. Full outside bar and restaurant giving it a unique feel about it. On Tuesdays, they have a lunch special were all food ordered during the time of 10 am to 1 pm is 15% off. On Fridays, at 7:30 pm, they show new release movies in English for those who want to sit back and enjoy a movie while having a meal or drink.  Happy hour runs along with the movie where different cocktails and mix drinks can be purchased. The River Bar & Restaurant also has a decent Khmer menu and some western foods. The prices are anywhere from $2-8 bucks making this a place for those visiting should a place they should experience. I have been here many times and the outside seating along the Stung is a great view. The place offers free fast wi-fi making surfing the net and doing online work a breeze. Happy hour on Angkor draft is only 0.50 cents from 5pm to ...

Hello everyone! The River Bar will be hosting a special event for New Years. You can enjoy Khmer dancing  and happy karaoke and all you can eat buffet. . If you want to get your tickets now, please contact me or you can purchase here at the bar. Tickets are $6.00 and comes with a free glass of wine. So please come join us at The River Bar for a great night planned and a great atmoshpere. This event will start from the 14th-16th, 6-10pm. I hope to see you here. (UPDATE)- Thanks to all those who joined us for our New Years buffet. We really appreciate your business and hope we can continue to provide the services that you need. 

Seems like siem Reap is a place to see these days. The surge in tourism can only mean that more are deciding to visit this country to check out the unique present and past of the Kindom Of Wonder. Since being here, Cambodia has made much progress but they still lack major requirments that ensure the safety of traverlers that come here. I think that high tourist rate will also benifit Cambodia since many are looking to invest in land to starts businesses allowing for more jobs and a beter future for those who want to pursue a different corse in their life. So hopefully, this is a sign for better things to come. Opodo travel news – Cambodia's tourism on the up

A great documentry of the rise and fall of the Khmer Rouge. Very educational for those who didn't get the proper knowledge about the rough times that befalled a country whom ruled most of South East Asia for many centeries. Please enjoy the video.

Madeleine Thien, author of Dogs at the Perimeter The book tells the story of Janie, a Cambodian-Canadian woman whose trauma from her life under Pol Pot returns to play havoc with her settled life in Montreal, and her friend Hiroji, a Japanese neurologist obsessed with the disappearance of his older brother under the regime. click the link for full story and info. An author’s genocide fiction | Lifestyle | Lifestyle

Booze and bovines: not a good mix for bikers Colliding with a cow while biking buzzed is probably not the best way to impress your father – particularly when he’s director of the provincial department of environment. But being knocked unconscious in such an incident on Tuesday temporarily precluded a 19-year-old man in Kampong Chhnang town from worrying that his progenitor would, well, have a cow. The young man was sent to hospital, and police noted both man and beast were at fault: The teen shouldn’t have been driving while drunk, and the cow shouldn’t have been allowed to roam freely. Nokorwat Off-key brawl puts end to upbeat tune and croon Four men eager to showcase their solo singing talents at a Battambang town restaurant reacted rather violently to three other men hogging the stage on Tuesday. Police said the two groups had been drinking when the quartet decided they’d been subjected to the trio’s stylings for long enough. The two groups fought furiously, destroying th...

A french national who works for circus group Phare Ponleu Selpak was stabbed in the arm and shoulder after trying to halt thieves who broke into his Battambang home early yesterday morning, police said. The robbers took two laptops and a mobile phone from the home’s residents, who included Phare Ponleu Selpak employees and members of the band the Cambodian Space Project, said Battambang district police chief Pen Somoeun.   Samoeun said the victim, Olivier Loke, 30, was injured when trying to grab the knife from the thief’s hand. “He was treated in hospital in Battambang,” he said, adding that the laptops stolen were used to design cartoons that were part of the circus performance. Police are searching for at least two suspects, said Samoeun, adding that one man had been questioned yesterday afternoon but was released. Khoun Det, director of Phare Ponleu Selpak said that, according to the victim’s account, Loke woke when the thieves tried to stab him as he slept, but he m...

Another of the many NGO's that operate here in Battambang.  Cambodian Children’s Trust (CCT) is a secular, non-profit NGO running projects to help break the cycle of poverty in the Battambang region of Cambodia. We create lasting change in the lives of some of Cambodia's most vulnerable people. If you would like to check out their current projects, you can be directed to their site page   here . If you know this organization and want to make a donation, you can go to their site or just click here . If you would like to contact them for anything, please use the information below. Cambodian Childrens Trust For CCT general enquiries please email: info@cambodianchildrenstrust.org For financial enquiries regarding donations please email : donations@cambodianchildrenstrust.org Address in Cambodia: Cambodian Children's Trust PO Box 376 Battambang Province CAMBODIA

"The government’s newly purchased Airbus A320 jet takes off from Phnom Penh International Airport on Thursday with King Norodom Sihamoni and Queen Mother Norodom Monineath traveling to Beijing for a scheduled medical checkup." (Siv Channa) $91.5 million.!!! That's got to be much of the countries earnings going to their personal flying pleasure. Talking about big pimping. Check out the full story here.

New Ganesha Bar is open now  on street 1.5 close to phsar nat market. Pool table cocktails and Cambodia draft. First month $0.75 for a glass of Cambodia draft all day. Good foods good service! -- The Ganesha Family Guesthouse Phone:  (+855) 92 13 55 70             (+855) 88 683 77 22 Ganesha Family Guesthouse Battambang, Cambodia www.ganeshaguesthouse.com

 Many living in Cambodia this past week have been morning the passing of the late King Norodom Sihanouk. The ceremony is still going on now. I ran into this site that had some great photos and I thought I would share them with those that didn't make it to Phnom Penh or was able to follow on T.V. Photos: Cremation ceremony of Cambodia’s late King Norodom Sihanouk – - Mercury News Media Center

I really like reading these police blotters. They give me a insight of what people should expect when they come to Cambodia. Honestly in my opinion, Cambodia has come a long way and I love being here. The experience is once and a life time and I suggest anyone liking to travel should make a pass through this Kingdom Of Wonder. But like anywhere, Cambodia has it's downers. Crime is rampant because good wages are hard to find. Some would rather loot then work because of the pay off.  Some of the weirdest sights ivé beheld started here. Criminals are most daring here and by reading these blotters, it helps me to see what to watch for and what not to get into. So thanks to those who put it together for us to read. Police Blotter: 23 Jan 2013 Celebrations from one wedding risk another A bridegroom-to-be nearly had his wedding called off and his life cut short after a Monday traffic accident caused by a man driving home from, yo...

Since opening not to long ago, Here Be Dragons has come a long way in such a short time. Even though I don't visit as much as I should, I was able to get in there a second time for there "Ënd Of The World" celebration thingy and was able to learn more about what Here Be Dragons had to offer. Here Be Dragons is a full bar. They have a food menu and a nice outside patio area. Ambient atmosphere during the evening, and just a nice place to have a beer and socialize. The place is owned by a young foreign couple and they are cool. The place rest along Rd 159D along the Stung Sangker River , 5 minute walk going north from the Hun Sen Bridge. You should come to a sign with a Dragon chasing it's tail on your right. So if your planning a trip to Battambang, and looking for a cold beer, you might want to check this place out.  The place has just recently started a pub quiz allowing winners to win beer towers. This place also has rooms and dorm rooms ...

Moto thief fails to stay on task, winds up in jail A Kandal moto thief proved a determined criminal on Monday when even the appearance of police failed to deter him from the beating he was administering. Police say the brazen 29-year-old stole a motorbike from in front of a Sa’ang district home when the victim emerged to confront him, only to catch a beating for his troubles – a beating that didn’t stop until police were forced to physically drag the thug off his victim. The violent hothead is now cooling off in a jail cell.  Kampuchea Thmey Students swing samurai swords in skirmish A group of 10 students put down their books and picked up their samurai swords on Monday for a small-scale war in Siem Reap. Police said the young ne’er-do-wells, who had fought it out before, started with typical smack talk before reaching for their swords and battling in a public street. The group scattered when cops arrived, but three were apprehended and have been sent to court. Koh Sa...

 Cambodia has really opened up to the world lately and by doing that, many have lot's of ways to gain information for what ever reason it is  they want it for. Everyone has heard of the internet and if you haven't, you wouldn't be reading this and you would have no clue what i'm talking about. But reading this, it just reminded me of how precious information can be and how misuse of this information can cause big officials to fall if certain information got in the wrong hands.  I understand that Cambodia is a developing country and many have come here to stake their claim in what ever they see that they can profit off, but if hackers can so easily hack Government sites, then investing large amounts of money in this country would be a huge concern for me, especially if the business involved large amounts of money.  With technology being as advanced as it is today, we should not forget that our private information is also the most important when it comes to keeping it ...