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In Geek Talk, Sreisaatv2

Sunday Stamps: Fatherly

Author sreisaatPosted on 14 Comments

For this week’s Sunday Stamps, the theme is “fatherly”. And who better to embody this theme than Cambodia’s revered father figure, the late King Norodom Sihanouk? Widely known as Samdech Euv (King Father) after his son, King Norodom Sihamoni, ascended to the throne in 2004, Sihanouk’s legacy continues to shape Cambodia.

Issued in 2001 by the Cambodia Post, the 200-riel stamp commemorates King Sihanouk’s 80th birthday, and depicts the revered monarch – not in a royal pose, but in a surprisingly down-to-earth act: planting a tree.

King Sihanouk was a complex and controversial figure, but his role as a father figure to Cambodia is undeniable. He led the country to independence from France in 1953 and played a significant role through Cambodia’s turbulent modern history. The act of planting a tree on the stamp embodies a paternal quality, nurturing something new for the benefit of future generations. Here, King Sihanouk is not just a king, but a symbol of care and foresight – planting seeds that will grow long after his reign.

The Cambodian Post’s choice of imagery beautifully portrays the King Father’s dual role – his leadership, while celebrating a simple act that benefits the nation’s future. The stamp in itself becomes a window into Cambodia’s respect and appreciation for the King Father. You’ll find his likeness on some denominations of Cambodia’s official currency, the Khmer riel.

In Geek Talk, Sreisaatv2, Uncategorized

A Taste of Blueberry Season

Author sreisaatPosted on 7 Comments

I received this delightful postcard from Sipi in 2011, and I think it captures the essence of summers in Finland in a single image. It arrived early in July – just as the blueberry season was hitting its peak, according to Sipi.

The postcard is a charming illustration showcasing what makes Finnish blueberry picking special: the green woods, plump blueberries filling a traditional birch bark basket. It’s easy to imagine the nostalgia this might evoke for Finns living abroad.

Finland’s love affair with berries, especially with blueberries, runs deep. Sipi told me berry-picking is a national pastime for all ages, bordering on obsession for some! Their devotion is so strong that they’ve even featured blueberries on a postage stamp.

Posti Finland issued this stamp as a definitive with value equal to the first class postage. The design shows their beloved blueberries – on a cup and others till attached to the stems – and the traditional summer dish of blueberry pie.

Sipi had just enjoyed her first berries of the season when she sent the postcard, adding them to her morning muesli. She also reminisced about childhood days savouring them with milk and sugar – a simple pleasure we can all relate to. These personal touches make the postcard all the more heartwarming.

More postcards here on Thursday Photo Hunt.

In Expat Life, Geek Talk, Sreisaatv2

Sunday Stamps: Moo-ing to the countryside

Author sreisaatPosted on 11 Comments

This week’s Sunday Stamps bring us to the picturesque rural Cambodia. My feature is a First Day Cover from the Khmer Aspect series.

The FDC captures a common scene in the countryside: a farmer and his cows ploughing a rice field or transporting rice harvest and other agricultural produce. The palm trees complete the idyllic rural landscape. This simple image speaks volumes about the importance of agriculture in Cambodian life. Rice is a staple food source, and farmers play a vital role in making sure that everyone has enough to eat. (Years ago, my first job was with a Swiss International NGO working on food security in Cambodia. I met some amazing, resilient farmers (men and women) in four different provinces who were in our program. While I’m not a farming expert, I helped tell their stories and the challenges they faced.)

Something that surprised me (coming from another Asian country with carabaos, or water buffalos), was seeing cows used for ploughing. Apparently, it’s been a tradition in Cambodia for ages. Even though modern machinery exists, traditional methods are still used. Maybe it’s a simpler way of life, or maybe the farmers just haven’t gotten that fancy tractor yet.

Have you ever been to Cambodia?

Visit Sunday Stamps for more features of countryside stamps.