The Quayside of PNH

Had a good rest in the afternoon - a 3-hr nap. The first proper rest since I came over to PNH.

Tonight is the first time I have to walk on the famous Quayside street of PNH and had dinner alone. The unruly traffic looked more unruly from outside a car. I was told PNH is like Singapore in the 60's. Well, I know not how SIN was like in the 60's (and I couldn't care less) but it did feel like I was in the 60's of SIN. Down the street, I saw people manning carts of coconuts on sale and among them, there were always children, whom I always have a soft spot for. They looked dirty and stale and I felt sad. But it wasn't that bad because at least there weren't beggars. Or so I thought! On my way back after dinner, I chose to walk along the path outside lines of foreigner-filled pubs and cafes. And along the path, I saw 2 or 3 mothers begging with children around them :(

First Weekends in PNH

Sat. Warm and sunny. In office now. Will visit 240 street this weekends where I can find used bookstores (my favourite) and some nice cafes and shops. Will also look for a permanent accommodation, which is surprisingly high. So high that I'm really afraid that, with the company's budget, I would not be able to afford a 2-room unit (which is what I hope for so that my family and friends can stay with me when they come visiting). I can go for a 3-storey semi-D (I think that's what it's called) but I will have to hire a maid and a security man, pay for internet access and utilities if I really do. Quite reluctant although it's rental is much cheaper - about USD1k per month. A 2-room serviced apartment unit is over USD3k per month. Sigh.

Then of course, weekends is for laundry and ironing. Tough. I'm going to find out if the hotel-cum-serviced apartment that I'm currently staying in for a month provides free laundry. Keeping my fingers crossed. Heehee.

First weekends - no time for those alluring pubs along the quay yet :(

Lost in a Casino

To relieve stress, the current manager brought me to a casino after dinner last night. In the end we played Horse-racing. Quite fun. You bet on electronic races based on odds, horse strength, race records, jockey's competency etc.

I was lost at first cos I have never seen this game before, let alone bet on it, electronically that is. Then came another loss - $$. I lost USD20, the biggest loss I had in a casino. Not much I know but hey you know what? Those were my first stakes in a casino! Yes yes. Laugh it all out. I find it funny too :) In the end we spent 3-4hours there. Good relief, I must say.

I'm breaking a few of my own records in just 5 days in Cambodia!

One Night in Siem Reap

My first visit to Siem Reap. 5 July. Beautiful and authentic. Good manager and nice staff there. Phew! A load off my mind as I know I can rely on the manager there to run the show for me, at least for now.

Night. Met up with a restaurant GM and an agent for dinner. Boy! The first thing we did when we stepped into the restaurant VIP room was a bottoms-up of Angkor beer. Luckily I heeded my friends' previous advice to have bread before drinking. I knew I had to drink a lot that night so I ate lots of rice at the dinner. In the end, had 2 small bottles of Angkor beer before we proceeded to have meet the GM's 2 taiwanese friends and another local agent in a Karaoke room. (First time ever I had to pick a lady companion. Felt a bit disgusted and uneasy at first but what the heck!) Had 4 or 5 glasses of Whiskey + coke, the most I have ever had in my life. And surprisingly I was ok! Not high, not very red, a colour which I usually turn into with only 1 or 2 glass of alcohol. The bread n food must have helped. Plus the sake-(t)raining I had a month ago must have toughened me. Nothing to be proud of, but I'm proud of myself :) Don't worry my friends. I will never sell my liver to the company.

More to come, man!

4th Jul 2007

As I was having dinner with my agent in San Duo eatery (HK-run family eatery that serves HK food), we heard loud bangs (or bongs!) in the street coupled with screams of girls who were running towards the eatery. I thought that was going to be the first street gun-shot in Phnom Penh that I heard. My agent and colleague ignored it and continued eating before another series of 'fire shots' was heard. The agent told us it was thunder which, of course, I didn't believe. Upon discovering, we found out it was beautiful loud fireworks released by the US embassy in PNH on a drizzling night! We saw it and gosh, it was extra beautiful for a simple reason - Jadon was born! He arrived with a bang indeed. I dedicate this to him. Though I could only see him in a month's time, I'm sure he is as cute and as beautiful as his parents :) May him be happy and in good health always!

Thank You and Bye

To all my friends who managed to squeeze time to meet up with me during the last 2 weeks, those who wished me well, helped me in my preparation/settling some of my problems in Singapore and giving me advice: a BIG THANK YOU and take care.

ps: Ya. I know this post is a bit late. But better than none lar hor :)

Night #1 and Day #2

First night in PNH was challenging. The guy I'm taking over from took me and another associate to a karaoke-cum-pub-cum-night club where ladies came asking if we wanted lady companion to chat with. We declined and in the end, 2 of them came chat with us uninvited, FOC of course. As a friend told me: I deserve more than to pay for women. This, I proudly agree ;)

Day 2, visited Singapore Embassy. Cool place. Had Japanese lunch with some of the Embassy staff. To that friend of mine who asked me if there was any Jap restaurant in PNH, sorry I can't remember who asked because I met up many friends in the last 2 weeks, the answer is an resounding 'YES' :) In fact I saw a few of them when I was moving around in the car.

Saw a few potential accommodation options. Some places are nice and cool. Will consolidate a few more before submitting to the head office for approval. I feel I may hit objection. Keeping my fingers crossed.

First Day in PNH

Today is my first working day in Phnom Penh. All things new, all challenges. Áfter a day of briefing and showing around by the current man in the post, I can only say 'pai tan'. I knew it was going to be tough but now that I'm facing it, I realised it's worse than I thought. Well, since I asked for it, and I still want to do well, I will bite the bullet and go through it. Afterall, there is no turning back for me now so I might as well make the best of out it. I want to excel but I'm not sure if I can do it. So I can only promise myself I will work hard. Pray for me all.

PS: tomorrow I will be meeting the Singapore Embassador in PNH. A lady. Interesting exposure.