Susan Haythorpe is a British writer, shopper, and music lover who moved to Phnom Penh in 2013.
She is the author of Lost Generation: The Story of Cambodian Rock and Roll, which documents Phnom Penh’s vibrant music scene in the 1950s through 1970s, when the music scene abruptly ended with the rise of the Khmer Rouge.
When I first came to Phnom Penh in 2012 the nearest equivalent to a shopping mall was the Sorya Shopping Center (not to be confused with Golden Sorya Mall, which wasn’t a shopping mall either but a now-defunct, distinctly sleazy … Continue reading
There’s no shortage of treats in Phnom Penh for those who want to have their cake (and eat it). From street food to fancy French patisseries, there’s a sugar rush waiting to happen in just about every corner of the … Continue reading
The traditional Khmer tuk tuk in all its quirky glory is one of the iconic images of Cambodia. Despite an influx of alternatives, these two-wheeled carriages, known as remorques from the French term for trailer, and usually drawn by the … Continue reading
One of the perhaps lesser-known wonders of Cambodia is the Kingdom’s abundance of exotic birdlife. The country is home — or host, in the case of migratory visitors — to over 670 different bird species, many of which are rare, … Continue reading
A modern business park is hardly the typical backdrop for a centuries-old art form born in the royal palaces of Cambodia. Until the end of March, however, a compact studio at Aquation on Koh Pich is the go-to destination for … Continue reading
Street 240 is a gift for Christmas shoppers! Christmas is coming, you can’t rely on Santa to do all the work, and time is running out. Forget the lookalike malls, there’s a pleasant, leafy avenue in Phnom Penh near the … Continue reading
“Jum riab sua. Knom chmuah Susan.” Likely the first words you’ll be taught (minus the ‘Susan’ unless that happens to be your name too) when you embark on the sometimes frustrating but ultimately rewarding journey to learning Khmer. It’s fair … Continue reading
For those of us who love a spot of retail therapy there’s only one thing better than a shopping trip — and that’s the opportunity to shop sustainably in the knowledge you’re supporting some of the most eco-friendly brands in … Continue reading