Showing all posts tagged Inside Cambodia

In Expat Life, Geek Talk, Sreisaatv2

Thursday Postcard Hunt: Geographical twins

Author sreisaatPosted on 5 Comments

Calling all map lovers! Buckle up for this week’s Thursday Postcard Hunt, because it’s a treasure trove for geography enthusiasts like myself. We often think of maps and flags on postcards and stamps as a bit, well, plain. But let me tell you, when they’re creatively designed and spark unexpected connections, like the postcard I have today, they can be absolutely mind-blowing, a game-changer!

This week, we’re venturing into the heart of Eastern Europe to explore Lithuania, known as Lietuva in its native tongue. Let’s see where this map-on- a-postcard takes us!

Lithuania’s location makes it a fascinating geographic and cultural blend.  Historically, its ties to the Eastern Bloc placed it firmly in Eastern Europe. Geographically, it sits snug on the Baltic Sea’s eastern coast, making it a natural part of the Baltic region. But its modern political landscape tells a different story – Lithuania is a proud member of the European Union and NATO, aligning it with Central Europe. This fascinating mix of influences is part of what makes Lithuania so unique. Rather than getting hung up on labels, let’s focus on the map card itself.

My postcard features an outline map, showcasing Lithuania’s diverse landscapes and natural treasures, and one that has a surprisingly familiar shape. Lithuania boasts a fascinating history. Once part of the Soviet Union, it’s now a rising star in the Baltic region, brimming with dynamism and growth – one of the fastest growing economies in the Baltics. Its capital, Vilnius, even held the prestigious title of European Capital of Culture in 2009.

But here’s a curious detail you might not have noticed: Lithuania’s shape bears an uncanny resemblance to Cambodia (where I am), a Southeast Asian country! Take a closer look at the outline maps below – both countries share a similar outline, broad at the top and tapering towards the south.  It’s almost like a geographical heart-shaped twins across continents, a fascinating quirk and wonder that sparks one’s imagination.

Lithuania
Cambodia

Intrigued? This postcard is a treasure! Perhaps this is going to be a start of an online research to unearth mirror image landforms across the globe. Remember, the world is full of unexpected connections waiting to be discovered. So, embark on your own map-tastic adventure and share your findings, please!


Sources: Outline Map of Lithuania, Outline Map of Cambodia.

In Expat Life, Food, Sreisaatv2, Work

From Drama to Delicious

Author sreisaatPosted on 2 Comments

Ugh, homesick alert! Missing you tons, Mama, and craving all the good stuff back in Capiz! This Capizeña needs to visit the homeland soon!

Today was a rollercoaster! Ugh, not again! The day kicked off with more drama, this time courtesy of the same person who always seems to be in the middle of it. Tsk, never learns a lesson, it seems. But hey, as they say, sometimes you lose some to win some.

The win today? An incredible lunch invitation to a home-cooked Khmer lunch! It wasn’t just any meal – it was a feast of homemade Khmer dishes, all prepared with such love and care. I felt so honoured to be included in their family, and in their community. អរគុណមិត្តសម្លាញ់! Thank you, dear friends!

The food was amazing! My colleague and her army of young assistants cooked for me one of my favourites – prahok khtis dong, a rich and flavourful dish with minced pork and prahok (preserved fish), slow-cooked in fragrant kreung (aromatic paste – lemongrass, galangal, ginger, etc.) and coconut milk, and a side of fresh vegetables to eat them with.

Clockwise, from the top: Meatballs with Napa cabbage soup, fresh veggies, rice with the pickled-cabbage stir-fry, and the spicy prahok khtis.
Takeaway dinner is served. Prahok khtis is eaten with fresh vegetables – cabbage, cucumber, string beans, eggplants, etc.
Up close. That’s tiny, round thingy is a Thai pea eggplant.

There were also meatballs in a clear broth with Napa cabbage (great palate cleanser), and a stir-fried pickled cabbage with pork (well-balanced savoury and sour flavors). It was hearty, homey, and the delicious meal felt almost like an embrace for an expat who’s missing the comforts of home. Like a big, warm hug, on a day that could have been a total washout.

Here in Cambodia where hardship is a familiar face, it’s the everyday acts of kindness that shine the brightest. Despite facing challenges, the Cambodian people continue to amaze me with their generosity and resilience. They truly embody the spirit “those who have less are often the most giving. ”

P.S.1. As I shuffled back to the office, Tita Shawie is bleating inside my head, on repeat: ‘balutin mo ako sa hiwaga ng iyong pagmamahaaaaaaaal…’ (wrap me up in the magic of your looooove) A cheeky grin spread across my face as I clutched the unexpected takeaway container a little too tightly (I didn’t ask for one!). Dinner sorted! Maybe I’m turning into a bit of a…Sharonian*, haha.

“*Sharon” is Filipino slang referring to the act of taking leftovers from a Filipino party. It’s derived from the song “Bituing Walang Ningning” by Sharon Cuneta, which contains the lyric, “Balutin mo ako” (“wrap me up”). Those who do “Sharon” are also referred to as “Sharonians.”

The Filipino-American Life on Instagram

P.S.2. Just finished dinner. Belly full, heart happy! Thank you, universe, for reminding me that even on challenging days, there’s always something to be grateful for, especially the kindness of strangers (or in this case, friends!)

In Expat Life, Images, Sreisaatv2, What's on in Cambodia, Work

From Fieldwork to Flying Bats in Battambang

Author sreisaatPosted on 7 Comments

This week’s My Corner of the World and Skywatch Friday takes a detour from my usual work routine when I did a field work in our Battambang program office. My schedule is typically a whirlwind of program office meetings and fieldwork in the communes that require traveling distances, collaborating with community partners and beneficiaries for monitoring and documentation. Office days have a familiar rhythm, while fieldwork often stretches our days from dawn to dusk.

My schedule for the day wrapped up early, finding me back in the car alongside colleagues by 4pm. Just as we were settling in for the drive back to town, a brilliant suggestion from a colleague sparked a spontaneous adventure – a quick stop at Phnom Sampov! This historical and natural landmark, renowned for its resident bat population, was conveniently located on our return route. Needless to say, I was all in!

Located about 20 kilometers from our fieldwork site and 15 kilometers from the town center, Phnom Sampov offers a unique blend of history and nature. Three large caves, adorned with Buddhist shrines and statues, pierce the mountainside. One such cave is pictured below. Giant Buddha carvings grace another side, while chilling reminders of the Khmer Rouge period remain within – locals claim human skeletons can still be found inside.

But the real allure of Phnom Sampov, attracting both local and international visitors, unfolds at dusk. As day surrenders to night, a breathtaking spectacle takes flight. Thousands, if not millions, of wrinkle-lipped bats emerge from the cave, their synchronized exodus painting the twilight sky with a mesmerizing dance. The movement reminded me of a starling murmuration – the closest comparison I can offer to capture this awe-inspiring phenomenon.

My phone couldn’t quite capture the detail, but these flying mammals are breathtaking! 
Clicks, squeaks, and a blur of wings – witness the nightly ballet of bats emerging from Phnom Sampov cave to hunt!

A moment of peace. Just me and this monk, after a near-Olympic sprint to dodge tourists for THIS shot. Worth the run.

So, if Battambang ever finds a place on your travel map, consider adding Phnom Sampov to your itinerary. And for those who appreciate the unexpected wonders of nature, don’t miss the chance to witness the nightly bat dance – it’s an unforgettable experience that will leave you feeling truly batty (in the best way possible) about Battambang!