Battambang, Cambodia's New Art Capital

Battambang is now claiming to be Cambodia's new art capital after local artists launched its first arts festival. The Explo, short for explosion or exploration, attracted many foreigners and Cambodians from the art community as local artists painted on large blocks of ice, humans and other media their creative imagination could conceive.

Battambang art has in the past already been sung by Cambodian composers, most famous of which is Sinn Sisamouth considered to be the King of Khmer Music so although still laid back compared to Siem Reap and Phnom Penh, Battambang's artistic spirit continues to spark creativity. In fact, one of its students at the Battambang Institute of Technology recently won the prize in the national competition for the best computer graphics.

This initiative was spearheaded by two gallery owners in Battambang, Canadian David Ramjattan and Loven Ramos, after a successful art show in February, 2011. But at the heart of this creative stimulus in Battambang is a Cambodian NGO, Phare Ponleu Selpak. Founded in 1994 to develop the arts among the Battambang youth, Phare runs an art school and gallery. Two of its graduates just opened a gallery, Make Maek.

Another boost to the local artists is the opening of the art gallery,Sammaki, which now hosts workshops, tea parties for local artists with its artist in residence, Bo Rithy.

So watch out for the next art explo in Battambang next year and come with money if you are a collector. The galleries are now selling art from Battambang's artists in the 3 to 4 digit range and foreign collectors have now discovered Battambang as the place to go to.

My Son Vietnam

When we went to Hoi An, My Son attracted our attention as this was the religious center of the Champa Kingdom so spent a day there and the temple ruins say much of the Champa people of Vietnam. When you go, go early morning so you can enjoy the spiritual quiet of the place.

You can also see here the destruction of the bombing during the Vietnam war. Indeed sad. To know more about My Son, here's a good link: My Son Vietnam

Pchum Ben in Cambodia

Phnom Penh streets were empty during Pchum Ben. Everyone who could went to their home province to pay homage to their dead. They believe that during Pchum Ben, the dead spirits come to their local temple and if you are no there to visit them, they will feel really bad. Businesses are closed for several days road accidents always go up at this time but nothing can stop the people from going home.

They bring food to the temple and offering as well. You should see them with wads of 100 or 500 riel and depending on how many bowls are left out in the temple, these are all filled. The more temples you visit, the more blessing you get.

Summer in Muskoka

We just came back from a two and a half month summer in Canada. We had so much fun with family and friends at our summer cottage. Muskoka Lakes is one of the most beautiful places in Canada.

The best is always the Rib Night, a tradition we have had for years now.

The new feature is the floating dock, the only one in the lake right now. We bring this out in the middle of the lake and just float it in a spot we choose so we swim in different places, have different views as we lounge in the dock and dive in different spots. Awesome. Isn't that fun?

The Royal Ploughing Ceremony in Cambodia

Today, Cambodia celebrates the Royal Ploughing Ceremony at the Veal Preahmein Square just in front of the National Museum in Phnom Penh. Together with their King, they prayed and invoked the gods for a prosperous and peaceful year.

The prediction for what the year would be is based on what the 6 royal oxens would eat during the ceremony. Should they eat rice or grain or water, the people believe this is a year of plenty. Beans mean that the year is good for dry crops; wine means unrest in the country; grass means flood.

When you attend the royal ploughing ceremony, check out Botanic Cafe and refresh yourself there while