17-19 December 2008
With the new baby somewhat under control and the festive season approaching, I found myself in Phnom Penh, Cambodia for two nights and three days to observe some research groups for work. Putting up in the Raffles Hotel Le Royale, I spent the days working in the beautifully refurbished hotel, and the nights getting a taste of the restaurants and bars.
A hot and dusty cowboy town, Phnom Penh had some charm and I was pleasantly surprised to find that Mandarin was useful even here, for example at a great Chinese restaurant where the team took me on the first night. We had a shuttle of Tiger at an outdoor BBQ place after that and ended up at Cathouse, a fun bar full of Santarinas and cans of Anchor.
Lunch by the pool was extremely relaxing after a non-stop year and I was able to put my thoughts aside for a few moments and just observe and take stock, which was well-needed. Mutton soup after the research session was tasty but left me feeling a little worse for wear the next day, though it could have been the few extra beers in the Elephant Bar before bed.
With Cambodia suffering from the economic crunch and our sales feeling the pinch, the picture isn't too rosy for 2009, so with a grateful heart and hope for the future I bid 2008 adieu.
