Phnom Sampeou and Phnom Banan — Battambang’s Tale of Two Hills

Posted on October 5, 2021 by Pete Ford

Battambang’s main tourist attraction doesn’t feel like it is resting during the pandemic. At least, the poor souls toiling away in front of Phnom Sampeou’s famous bat cave certainly ain’t resting. They’re busy chiseling a giant Buddha into the exposed limestone. And while the ongoing work is an impressive feat, it adds yet another layer of human adulteration to this beautiful rocky protuberance in the middle of otherwise (mostly) flat Battambang province; for Phnom Sampeou offers an architectural, archeological and zoological slice of humanity in Cambodia.

Monkey atop Phnom Sampeou

A monkey on top of Battambang’s Phnom Sampeou.

The top is covered in an eclectic variety of Buddhist temples, shrines, stupa, and sculptures in Chinese and Theravada Buddhist styles…dotted among the trees with no apparent plan other than to provide a blast of color at every turn. There are military remnants — in the form of two rusting field guns — of Cambodia’s protracted efforts to defeat the Khmer Rouge, now simply another plaything for a bold macaque colony that calls the hilltop home. Continue reading →

Phnom Penh activities for kids: Swimming, playgrounds, and play spaces

Posted on September 7, 2021 by Tara Rose

In the last two posts about fun things to do for kids in Phnom Penh we covered arts and sports activities. This time, we’ve got a round-up of swimming pools, playgrounds, and play spaces for kids and teens in Phnom Penh. We’ve tried to include the most up-to-date information, but because of the pandemic it’s always best to confirm the details.

House Boutique Pool Phnom Penh

Cool off at House Boutique Eco Hotel in BKK1.

Swimming pools

A great way to cool your children off in the warmer months is by taking advantage of one of the beautiful local resort pools, or letting them take a dip in one of the customized child-friendly pools in Phnom Penh. Continue reading →

Phnom Penh activities for kids: Sports and active play

Posted on August 25, 2021 by Tara Rose

In the last post about fun things to do for kids in Phnom Penh we covered arts and crafts activities and performing arts activities. In this installment, we’ve got a round-up of sports and active things younger kids and teens can do in Phnom Penh to burn off some extra energy. We’ve tried to include the most up-to-date information, but due to the pandemic some businesses may have other restrictions.

Coconuts Park Phnom Penh

Kids can explore and play at Coconuts Park after-school and weekend programs.

Explore and Play

Coconut Park has an “Explore and Play” after-school or weekend program for kids 6 to 8 and 9 to 12 going on now. The sessions include lots of physical activity as well as arts, and will give kids the chance to try lots of different sports and activities rather than focusing on just one. Spaces are limited, and can be reserved online. Continue reading →

Getting the COVID-19 vaccination in Cambodia

Posted on August 9, 2021 by Lina Goldberg

Updated August 9. The vaccination process is in full swing in Cambodia, and the country is committed to vaccinating their foreign residents and visitors as well as Cambodian citizens. It is now possible for residents of both Phnom Penh and Siem Reap to get vaccinated at no cost. Read on for more information.

Getting vaccinated in cambodia

Wondering how to get the covid-19 vaccine in Cambodia? You’re not alone!

Continue reading →

Phnom Penh activities for kids: Arts and crafts, music, and performing arts

Posted on August 5, 2021 by Tara Rose

Despite the pandemic, there is never a shortage of fun activities for kids in Phnom Penh. While Covid-19 has certainly had a huge impact on businesses and families, it has also seen the creation of a plethora of new child-friendly activities. In this series we’ll cover some of the new and exciting things to do, as well as some long-time kid favorites. In this first post, we’ll cover arts and crafts activities and performing arts classes in Phnom Penh.

art in Cambodia

Art in Cambodia! (Admittedly this is a photo of work exhibited at Kampot Art Gallery)

Arts and Crafts

Fun and messy arts and crafts activities and classes have popped up around Phnom Penh catering for toddlers and older kids alike.

Kids Art Club by Sra’Art was created to help little ones improve their social skills, make new friends, and nurture their imaginations. Classes are for ages 3 to 12, and all materials are included in the fee. Continue reading →

Battambang’s under-visited gems (including dinosaurs)

Posted on July 2, 2021 by Pete Ford

Wondering why you should visit Battambang? Since the 11th century, Battambang has been an important city in what is now northwestern Cambodia. For at its founding, the power of the kings of Angkor extended much further to the north and west. At other times, Battambang found itself as a majority Khmer city in eastern Thailand.

Still with me?

Dinosaurs in Battambang

Religion and history combine for a visual delight at Wat Pnuw, even if the scales are slightly off.

All of that goes to say that Battambang and its surrounds are full of beautiful examples of this rich history covering multiple architectural styles. While lacking the splendor of major Angkorean cities, or the modern economic importance of Phnom Penh, Battambang is a fascinating place to visit, as it has managed to retain a uniquely Cambodian charm that in the capital and on the coast is quickly being replaced by glass-fronted towers. And it has dinosaurs, of course. Continue reading →

Choosing an international school for your child in Cambodia

Posted on June 23, 2021 by Lina Goldberg

Today Lindy Leonhardt the head of admissions at ISPP (a Move to Cambodia advertiser) helps guide new expats through what they should consider when researching and choosing an international school in Cambodia. This post was originally written a few years ago, but Lindy has updated it in 2021 with information for the COVID-19 era.

When researching education options for expatriate children in Cambodia, a newly arrived family might be forgiven for being overwhelmed by the choice of schools available. Even for longer-term residents, the increase in international school offerings over the past few years has changed the education landscape, particularly in Phnom Penh. However, scratch the surface a little and it becomes clearer and the seemingly vast array of options can be reduced to a solid shortlist.

Elementary class at ISPP Cambodia

Looking for an international school in Phnom Penh? Here are some things to consider. Photo provided.

So, what should be considered when you are trying to make sense of it all and decide what is best for your child?

It goes without saying that you should put the quality and standard of a school’s education and curriculum first and consider the best you can afford. If your child requires language support or has any additional learning needs, ensure that your chosen school is well-equipped to provide support. Private support and therapy services are improving, but still limited, in Cambodia so it is very important that you can have your child’s needs met at school.

Continue reading →

Specialist educational and therapeutic services for children in Cambodia

Posted on May 28, 2021 by Tara Rose

A child with special needs, or who has emotional, developmental, educational, or behavioral challenges can be difficult for parents at the best of time, but even more so for those who are living far from home. Finding assistance for children with special needs in Cambodia has proven to be incredibly difficult in the past, with most Cambodia-based families seeking help abroad in Thailand or Singapore. Luckily, a range of special-need services is slowly becoming more available in Cambodia.

Smilestones Cambodia

ABA and Speech Therapist, Greeshma Girish from Smilestones Cambodia, during a home-based therapy session.

Does your child have specialized needs or could use extra support?

While some physical disabilities are more visible, knowing whether your child is exhibiting signs of autism spectrum disorder, ADHD/ADD, or other developmental or learning difficulties can be difficult to determine. Sometimes parents are hesitant to seek help because of the stigma surrounding children with SEN (Special Education Needs), or resistance to their child being labelled. For others, not knowing what services and support is available, or hoping the child will just “grow out of it” means delayed treatment.

While some may argue that a clear diagnosis is vital in order to assist a child, and help the family move forward, lack of a formal diagnosis doesn’t necessarily have to prevent accessing early support in order to help your child. In fact the earlier the intervention, the better the long-term outcomes.

It’s also worth noting that there are a range of therapy options available in Cambodia, and parents are encouraged to research the methods used to fully make a decision about the best intervention for your child.

With the help of SENia Cambodia, a special needs network for professionals, parents, and teachers, I’ve compiled a list of some of the services available for children requiring extra support in Cambodia. Continue reading →