BEAN THERE, NOT DONE THAT

The Southern Daily Echo in the UK reports that a Hampshire teenager Tazmin Hollands, 14, publicly immersed herself in a bath full of baked bean for four hours in a shopping centre, to raise money for a trip to Beng Mealea and Siem Reap. Once here, Tazmin will help build classrooms, support a reforestation project and teach food and hygiene and English.

The baked bean bath was not as relaxing as a session at, say, Bodia Spa and Tazmin told the English newspaper, “It was freezing and my feet went numb and I felt quite sick but I refused to get out until 2pm.”

She added, “I would like to thank everyone who supported me and sponsored me for my baked bean bath. I managed to raise £237 ([US$387) on the day and, with all the other sponsors, the total will be around £800 ($1300), so that is brilliant.”

GAMBLING BLUES VIET-STLE

According to DTriNews, Cambodia is the new go-to place for Vietnamese cai luong singers, comedians and circus artists, due to a high demand from Vietnamese expats.

DTriNews reports, “In Siem Reap, most of the shows are organised in the yards, halls of local schools or unoccupied stores and stadiums near the Angkor Temple complex. While there are many free Cai Luong shows organised by local pagodas, Vietnamese expats prefer the variety shows even though the ticket prices can be as high as $40 per person.”

But the Vietnamese performers who come here to make a big buck, often end up out of luck after frequenting casinos because they are banned from such dubious establishments back home.

One performer, Chau Thanh, told the news service that many Viet artists have lengthened their stay just to gamble at the casinos near Moc Bai border, Phnom Penh or Siem Reap until they lose all they have made.

BOOK AND TOY DRIVE

Phare, the Cambodian Circus, Shinta Mani and Travel Indochina have started a book and educational toy drive. Books and toy for kids under 15 collected by these organisations are distributed by two NGOS – Build Your Future Today and Phare Ponleu Selpak.

Shinta Mani general manager Christian de Boer said, “I personally hope our guests and other likeminded tourists will bring their favorite children’s books, already loved or new, and kids’ toys from home and drop them in the various collection boxes around Siem Reap.”

Build Your Future Today supports 25 villages in Siem Reap province by stocking school libraries with learning materials. Phare Ponleu Selpak, based in Battambang, provides free education to 1,200 disadvantaged youngsters.

SHORTS

Trending city: TripAdvisor claims that the fourth most “trending city to visit” in Asia is Siem Reap. Number 1 city is Kathmandu, Sapporo number 2, and Hanoi number 3. Siem Reap was also named by TripAdvisor as the number 5 of top 25 Asian destinations.

Socially worthy job: PEPY is seeking a communications and fund raising manager for a mid-February start for 6 months. No salary, but a $70 per month accommodation stipend will be provided and costs of visa will be covered.

Dirty doings: Hariharalaya Retreat Centre will hold a permaculture course next year from March 2-22, with the cost being $850 to $1100, depending on accommodation. Instructors include internationally renowned Rico Zook and Nic Gunton. Organisers say, “This course is an excellent and comprehensive introduction into regenerative systems design with between 100 to 120 hours of curriculum.”

Mangled English at its best: Kingdom Angkor Hotel features “Kingdom Dinning” and promises that “All food is well prepared by our expert chef, let us cater your meeting, conference, or other events and we will ensure it is access and appetites of your guests are magnificent by satisfied.”