NOVEMBER

IT IS WITH MIXED EMOTIONS THAT WE HAVE TO TELL YOU WE ARE BOOKED OUT FOR NOVEMBER.  WE STILL HAVE A FEW OPENINGS FOR A PRIVATE ROOM WITH A  DOUBLE BED IN OUR HOME FOR A FEW DAYS. CALL FOR INFO AT 012 68 62 40.


WE'RE STARTING TO GET RESERVATIONS FOR DECEMBER AND JANUARY ALREADY. IF THOSE MONTHS ARE OF INTEREST TO YOU PLEASE EMAIL YOUR RESERVATIONS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.  REMEMBER IF YOU ARE IN CAMBODIA WITH NO PRIOR RESERVATION GIVE US A CALL AT 012 68 62 40 AND IF WE CAN FIT YOU IN, WE WILL.   HERE'S THE LATEST TRAVEL BLOG ABOUT US-IN GERMAN.

http://valiinsingapur.blogspot.com/2008/12/kompong-cham-cambodia.html

OPEN DATES FOR THE HOMESTAY

WE HAVE OPENINGS IN OCTOBER FROM THE 3RD TO THE SIXTEENTH AND FROM THE 20TH TO THE THE 24TH AND ON THE THIRTIETH AND THIRTY-FIRST.  IF YOU ARE IN CAMBODIA JUST CALL US AT 012 68 62 40, DO NOT EMAIL!!!  WE HAVE PLENTY OF FARMWORK TO DO AND CAN COME TO THE COMPUTER ONLY ONCE OR TWICE A WEEK.  

EMAIL ONLY  IF YOU WISH TO MAKE A RESERVATION  FOR A  LATER MONTH.  

Here is a description of a two day homestay at Rana thatI've just googled.  All in all, I'd say it's pretty representative of what our guests experience.   It's found at: http://sidcuptosingapore.blogspot.com/ and here is part of it"...The difference with this homestay from so many we've seen advertised through Europe and Asia is that we had the chance to meet real Cambodians and converse with them about all sorts of topics. Don is an American that's been living in Cambodia since the mid nineties and Kheang, his wife, is a local that speaks English pretty much fluently. So whereas some people stay at homestays in relative silence us they cannot communicate with their host. Here we could chat to a whole host of people though interpreters and get a real sense of our surroundings...

On the first evening we talked to Kheang's mother who survived the Pol Pot years. We heard some gory details of those times and some light hearted anecdotes of how they tried to get by and make do. Most harrowing was the story of the local killing field. It was a former Japanese dairy farm and every day they used to bludgeon people to death and then shoot the bodies with their guns to make sure all were dead. So at about tea time each day whilst all the families in the village were eating they could hear distant gunfire and they knew what it was.

The next day we visited the local temple which was having a 14 day celebration. It seemed like most of the village was there. This a pretty un-touristy experience as there was no ticket booth, no westerners with the lonely planet, no-one trying to sell us anything or hassle us just Katy and I, Kheang, and dozens of friendly locals, including boys and girls that were intrigued by us. The littlun's all tried to punch my backside when I wasn't looking (why does this keep happening to me?). With interpretation we could even share a joke or two with the adult males.

That evening after dinner we talked to a teacher who was our age and we learnt about his feelings about the current government, the education system, freedom of speech and democracy. He hadn't left Cambodia ever so I tried to give him a sense of our feelings on these subjects in our country to get a contrast. He didn't believe that he lived in a true Democracy and I sadly had to let him down and tell him even though we have democracy in the UK for some people that's still not good enough...
 

WHO ARE OUR VISITORS AND WHO ARE WE???

 IT'S HARD TO CLASSIFY THEM BY SALARY; FOR SOME THE $22/PER PERSON/PER NIGHT MIGHT PUT A SMALL DINT IN THEIR BUDGET, BUT IT IS NOT A REAL SACRIFICE.  GENERALLY THEY RANGE FROM THEIR MID-TWENTIES TO BEYOND RETIREMENT.  MOST ARE PROFESSIONAL, SOME ARE HIGHLY SKILLED WORKERS
AND OTHERS  ARE SPENDING THEIR SEVERANCE PAY TO ESCAPE THE ECONOMICAL NIGHTMARE THAT IS RAGING THROUGH THE WORLD.  

BUT MOSTLY THEY  ARE CURIOUS.   SEVERAL HAVE SAID, "SOMETIMES YOU'RE IN A  TAXI OR BUS, LOOKING OUT THE WINDOW AT CAMBODIA AND YOU SEE THIS STRANGE NEW CULTURE AND YOU WONDER,  HOW DO THEY MANAGE IT.   IT LOOKS HARD!!!"  THAT'S ESSENTIALLY WHY WE ARE HERE AND WHO WE ARE HERE FOR.  MY WIFE COMES FROM THIS VILLAGE, SO IT IS NOT ONLY THAT SHE IS A BI-LINGUAL NATIVE CAMBODIAN SPEAKER, SHE KNOWS THE PEOPLE SHE'S TALKING WITH AND THAT IS THE RELAXED RAPPORT THAT CAUSES INTERACTION BETWEEN OUR GUESTS AND THE LOCALS.  IN SHORT, WE ACHIEVE RECIPROCITY THEY WANT TO KNOW ABOUT YOU TOO AND THAT HELPS DESTROY THAT STAID MUSEUM LIKE "GAWKING TO KNOW"APPROACH.

LATE AUGUST/SEPTEMBER

I'm up to my ears in weeds, we've had a lot of visitors and it's hard getting to town. Not only are my farming duties keeping me close to home, but the local police have set up roadblocks on the main highway. They've told me that it would be a real good idea to buy a legal set of license plates ($30) for our fifteen-year-old 50cc moto, which probably has a value of around $75-100. My wife and I aren't cheap, but that's like putting gold horseshoes on a poor beast headed to the glue farm. My other option is to bicycle. I know, I know...it's good for the health and all that, but hey it can rain at any time and I really don't like playing bicycle dodge'em with highway idiots that have license plates.
Anyway we've had some charming guests lately. Gary from Malaysia and his workaholic girlfriend, Maiko. When I say workaholic I mean we're talking 16 hour days!!! But anyway they both spoke outstanding English and were highly charming young people. They were lucky enough to get a video of a wedding ceremony called "Passing the Candle". I'm going to have to ask my wife about the significance of this ceremony. I've never seen it before. So, remember if you're in Cambodia and want to visit us call us at 012 68 62 40. DO NOT EMAIL. EMAIL ONLY IF YOU ARE OVERSEAS AND PLAN TO COME IN LATE SEPTEMBER OR LATER. For a look at our prices & other info go to:http://rana-cambodia.blogspot.com/2008/08/contact-infoprices.html

HOLY TERMITE MOUNDS!!!!!!!

WE'D LIKE TO THINK RANA OFFERS SO MUCH MORE THAN A GUEST HOUSE. WE ARE NOT A PLACE WHERE FOREIGNERS MEET ONLY FOREIGNERS, BUT ALSO A LOCAL CULTURAL SUBMERSION (UNLIKE THE CITY ONES USUALLY LIMITED TO TUK-TUK DRIVERS AND BAR GIRLS), ONE WHERE YOU HAVE CONTACT WITH RURAL PEOPLE WHO ARE THE BED ROCK OF KHMER CULTURE.

WELL THIS WEEK WE HAD A GUEST, A PHD. CANDIDATE, CHARLOTTE, WHOSE RESEARCH INVOLVED ARTWORK IN ANGKOR WAT TEMPLES.

IN ADDITION, SHE HAD A FRIEND WHO HAD BEGGED HER TO GET A PHOTOGRAPH OF A TERMITE MOUND, ONE WHICH THE LOCALS WORSHIPPED. WHEN SHE ASKED ME ABOUT IT, I WAS NONPLUSSED. I HAVE FOUR OR FIVE MOUNDS ON MY PROPERTY AND I COULD FIND NO REASON TO WORSHIP THEM. LIVE IN PEACEFUL CO-EXISTENCE YES. I KNEW OF NONE THAT WERE HOLY AND WAS TELLING HER SO WHEN MY WIFE INTERRUPTED AND SAID THAT THERE WAS A BIG ONE IN POOM L'HAOII ABOUT A KILOMETER AWAY FROM OUR HOUSE. SO, OFF THEY TRUDGED, SLIGHTLY AHEAD OF AN ADVANCING RAIN STORM.IT HAD BEEN THERE A LONG TIME, BUT THE CHAPEL PART OF THE MOUND WAS NOT VISIBLE FROM THE ROAD.

SHE DECIDED TO STAY FOR A THIRD DAY SO WE HEADED TO MOHA LEAP-AN OLD WOODEN WAT THAT HAS ELABORATE GILT PAINTINGS ON THE COLUMNS. THE WAT IS ON THE RIVER AND IT IS QUITE A CIRCUITOUS ROUTE TO GET THERE. BOUTH, THE TUK-TUK DRIVER TOOK US THERE IN ABOUT 45 MINUTES THROUGH RUBBER PLANTATIONS AND POVERTY OVER A SERIES OF PAVED HIGHWAYS AND DIRT ROADS. IT WAS HIGHLY IMPRESSIVE AS WERE BOUTH'S STORIES OF THE TEMPLE AS A CENTER OF POWER. APPARENTLY WHEN AMERICAN BOMBS WERE FALLING OVER THE WAT THEY SPLIT IN HALF BEFORE REACHING THEIR TARGET. BOUTH CLAIMS TO HAVE SEEN THE DEVIL THERE TOO, DRESSED IN WHITE WITH ONE FOOT ON ONE SIDE OF THE WAT AND ONE ON THE OTHER.

IT WAS A TRIP WELL WORTH TAKING. THANKS CHARLOTTE, I LEARNED A LOT. I'LL KEEP THE SCALY ANT EATERS (WHO ALSO LIKE TERMITES) ON A LEASH. BUT IF YOU DON'T SEND ME THE VIDEOS AND PHOTOS SOON...WELL YOU KNOW WHAT WILL HAPPEN!!!!

AS A FOLLOW-UP TO THE SCALEY ANT EATER THREAT I WAS SENT SEVERAL PICS AND A VIDEO WHICH FOLLOWS.

ONE DAY STAYS HAVE BEEN REINSTATED/THE MONTH OF AUGUST

WHILE RECENTLY PERUSING A GOOGLE SEARCH FOR OUR HOMESTAY, I FOUND SEVERAL REFERENCES TO US IN TRAVEL AGENCIES. DON'T BELIEVE IT. IF YOU BOOKED THROUGH THEM YOU'D PAY MORE MONEY-IF WE ACCEPTED THE RESERVATION. WE ARE A MOM AND POP VENTURE AND HAVE NO DESIRE TO GO COMMERCIAL. WE ARE ACCOMODATING AMATEURS, AND FIERCELY PROUD OF IT.

ALSO, PAY NO ATTENTION TO THE PRICES, DIRECTIONS, OR BASICALLY ANY OF THE SPARSE INFORMATION IN ANY GUIDEBOOK. THE ONLY RELIABLE INFORMATION IS IN THIS BLOG.

WE'VE HAD A CHANGE OF MIND, ONE DAY STAYS ARE ACCEPTED!! DUE TO THE LIMITED TME/MONEY PROBLEMS TRAVELERS ARE FACING THIS YEAR WE FEEL THE NEED TO BEND A LITTLE BIT. THERE ARE CERTAIN EEXCEPTIONS WHICH ARE:
1. NO ONE NIGHT STAYS FOR SINGLE TRAVELERS.

2. TRAVELERS MUST ARRIVE BY 1 OR 1:30PM IN ORDER TO BENEFIT FROM
A PACKED SCHEDULE. THIS APPLIES PARTICULARLY TO VISITORS FROM
SIAM REAP WHO ARE FACING A FIVE HOUR BUS TRIP TO KAMPONG CHAM.

THERE SHOULD BE A NEW BOAT SERVICE SOON IN KAMPONG CHAM-ESPECIALLY GEARED TO FOREIGNERS. FOR FULL DETAILS SEE THE NEW BLOG SITE http://ranacamabodiakamcham.blogspot.com/. HOPE TO SEE YOU ON BOARD!

WE HAVE OPENINGS IN AUGUST FROM 11-19, FOR LATER VACANCIES PLEASE CALL OR EMAIL.

NEW BOOKING PROCEDURES.

WE WILL BE ACCEPTING ONLY IN COUNTRY PHONE CALLS FOR RESERVATIONS FOR WHATEVER MONTH YOU ARE CURRENTLY BOOKING. IN OTHER WORDS IF IT'S AUGUST AND YOU WANT TO STAY IN AUGUST DON'T EMAIL-TELEPHONE US AT 012 68 62 40. EMAIL ONLY IF YOU WANT TO MAKE A RESERVATION AT ANY MONTH AFTER THE CURRENT ONE. WHY YOU MAY ASK?
WE HAVE MUCH WORK TO DO AND CAN'T GET TO TOWN FREQUENTLY ENOUGH FOR LAST MINUTE QUERIES. THE WEEDS ARE BEGINNING TO WIN, FENCES NEED FIXING ETC. IN OTHER WORDS, I'LL BE COMMING TO TOWN TWICE A WEEK INSTEAD OF EVERY DAY.
IF YOU WANT TO TO BOTTOM LINE THE COSTS SCROLL DOWN TO http://rana-cambodia.blogspot.com/2008/08/contact-infoprices.html AND READ THE BLUE INK.
. LAST YEAR I HAD GREAT LUCK WITH MY SEED REQUESTS. THEY ARE NOW GROWING IN SCATTERED PLOTS AROUND MY LAND. I WOULD LIKE SOME MORE SEEDS IF POSSIBLE, NOT A LOT, JUST ENOUGH THAT I CAN GROW FOR SEED AND PASS ON TO MY NEIGHBORS.
WHAT I'M PARTICULARLY LOOKING FOR COMES FROM AUSTRALIA. I REALLY WANT PASSION FRUIT SEEDS. MY WIFE SAYS THEY USED TO BE ABUNDANT IN THE JUNGLE, BUT THAT THEY HAVE TOTALLY DISAPPEARED. IT IS WAY PAST TIME TO RE-INTRODUCE THEM OR AT LEAST VARIETALS. TAMARIND AND PECAN WOULD ALSO BE NICE. IF YOU'RE COMING HERE FROM AUSTRALIA AND WANT TO BE OF HELP TO THIS SMALL COMMUNITY WE WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR CONTRIBUTION. PLEASE REMEMBER THE SEEDS MUST BE ORGANIC SO THAT I CAN PASS THEM ON TO MY NEIGHBORS. .

THE MONTH OF MAY-WHAT'S NEW

LOCAL VILLAGER MAKING THATCH.

OUI, ON PARLE FRANCAIS CHEZ NOUS!!!! L'ALLEMAND AUSSI

Il y a beaucoup de monde en France qui s'interesse a Rana, mais des qu'on ne voit que la langue angaise dans mon site de blog, on surf sur internet pour un website plus francophone. Et comment est-ce que je le sais? Il y a un "analytics"qui accompagne mon site de blog ou je trouve l'origine et duree des visites.

Alors, il me faut continuer d'ecrire en anglais parce ce que c'est ma langue natale, mais si vous avez des questions a me poser, n' hesitez pas de m'envoyer un email. A propos, je parle allemand aussi.

MARCH/APRIL VACANCIES AND IMPROVEMENTS

WE ARE COMPLETELY OPEN ON 25-31. DO NOT EMAIL IF YOU ARE IN CAMBODIA, CALL 012 68 62 40. I'LL BE UNABLE TO GET TO MY EMAILS IN THE MONTH OF MARCH OR ONLY SPORADICALLY AT BEST.

PLEASE DO NOT USE THE PHONE YOU BROUGHT WITH YOU OR SKYPE.; JUST PAY 3-500 RIELS AND CALL US FROM A LOCAL PHONE BOOTH, USING 012 PREFIX. IT'S FRUSTRATING, BUT A SKYPE CONNECTION IS POOR AND WE HAVE ONLY 001 OR 007 UNDER MISSED CALLS.

INSTEAD OF BUILDING ANOTHER BUNGALOW, WE HAVE DECIDED TO ADD A PORCH ON THE EXISTING ONE. BOTH MY WIFE AND I FEEL THAT 2-4 VISITORS A TIME LEADS TO A MORE ENJOYABLE EXPERIENCE FOR EVERYONE. WE DEFINATELY WANT TO OFFER SOMETHING OTHER THAN THE TYPICAL GUESTHOUSE EXPERIENCE AND AT THE SAME TIME BE ABLE TO KEEP THE SCHOOL AFLOAT WITH OUR PROFITS AND MAINTAIN THE PROPERTY.

BY THE WAY, WE ARE CONSIDERING NO WORK LABOR/BED BOARD EXCHANGES SINCE ANY WORK THAT FOREIGNERS DO DETRACTS FROM WORK THAT WE CAN OFFER TO THE LOCALS.

WE HAVE ADDED NEW SPEAKERS TO OUR EVENING "FIRESIDE CHAT". ACTUALLY THERE'S NO FIRE, BUT WHEN I USED THE TERM "GUEST SPEAKER" EVERYONE THOUGHT THERE WOULD BE A SHORT TEST AFTERWARDS. THEY'RE YOUNGER AND WILL GIVE A BALANCED VIEW WITH THE OLDER SPEAKERS. THIS WAY, YOU WILL GET A BETTER IDEA OF NOT ONLY THE HARDSHIPS THEY WENT THROUGH, BUT ALSO THE DIFFICULTIES THEY CURRENTLY FACE. IT SPEAKS WELL OF THE ATMOSPHERE THAT WE HAVE CREATED IN THAT NORMALLY SHY CAMBODIANS FEEL CONFIDENT TO SHARE THEIR LIVES WITH OUR GUESTS. WE HAVE TWO YOUNGER TEACHERS AND A HAIRDRESSER WHO ARE CURRENTLY STUDYING ENGLISH WITH US IN THE HOPE OF MAKING A CAREER CHANGE.

(MARCH 25) RAINY SEASON IS ON THE WAY. IT'S NOT JUST THE SOUPCON OF THE LITTLE SHOWERS, IT'S OTHER HARBINGERS TOO. THE CICADAS ARE SINGING IN THE EVENINGS AND THE MANGOS ARE GETTING BIGGER AND BIGGER-THE GREEN PROMISE OF A TASTY GOLDEN CAMBODIAN NEW YEAR. WE STARTED RE-THATCHING THE CABIN TODAY; AT THE MOST IT SHOULD TAKE ONE MORE DAY.

THE GARDEN IS STARTING TO GROW. IT'S A LITTLE LATE THIS YEAR-I WAS ABLE TO SCHMOOZE WITH OUR VISITORS AND USED THIS AS AN EXCUSE TO NOT WORK. I GROW OLD, LAZY AND ALAS, FAT.