A number of restaurants are set up a little differently to ensure they benefit the local population. [...]]]> Siem Reap is a great place for food lovers! There are over 200 restaurants to choose from in Siem Reap, offering everything from local Khmer cuisine to Thai, French, American, Japanese, Italian, Indian, Scandinavian, Koran and more…

A number of restaurants are set up a little differently to ensure they benefit the local population. By eating at the following places, you will not only have a good dining experience, but can rest assure your money is spent at a good cause…

Sala Bai Hotel Scool
Sala Bai Hotel School is a high standard, free hotel school for young Cambodians coming from underprivileged families. The school also functions as a hotel and training restaurant. Delicious set menus are available, both Khmer and Western, and it’s open for Breakfast (7-9am) & Lunch (12-2pm). Because it is school, the restaurant is closed in the evenings, at week-ends and public holidays. Located on Taphul Road. For more informationclick here.

Green Star Restaurant
Green Star is a not-for-profit restaurant established through the great Green Gecko Project, and generates funds to support the their project activities. Serves delicious Khmer food at very low prices. Open every day from 11.30-2pm and 6pm-late. Located at the south end of Wat Bo Road (T-Intersection) after Wat Damnak. For more information click here.

Jo to Go
Jo to Go restaurant serves delicious coffee and shakes, and hearty meals. 100% of the profits from Jo to Go goes to support The Global Child. They also have a lovely boutique upstairs called Beao Fou. It’s open every day for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and is conveniently located next to the old market. For more information click here.

Common Grounds
Common Grounds Coffee House & Training Center is People for Care & Learning’s primary base of innovative assistance, providing micro-enterprise development and vocational training. It serves delicious cakes, and a selections of sandwiches and hot meals. Open Monday-Saturday for breakfast lunch and early dinner. Located on Street 14, near ANZ Bank (Central Market Branch). For more information click here.

Me MAD Eatery
Me – The MAD Eatery is a Cambodia’s first donation only restaurant. There are no prices on the food – customers simply make a donation based on what they think the food was worth.  100% of profits go to support MaD – Making a Difference for Good! Open Tuesday – Sunday from 10-10. Located next to Angkor King Plaza on Route 6 (By Angkor Wishing Hall). For more information click here.

HEAVEN
Heaven is a new training restaurant for young adult orphans who have to leave the orphanage and have nowhere to go. They offer these young people accommodation, food, medical care as well as work and a training in gastronomy. After they finish their training they help them find a permanent position. Opening hours: Monday + Wednesday to Sunday from 11am to 10pm, and is located on Sok San Street, near X-Bar. For more information click here.

Soria Moria Fusion Kitchen
Soria Moria Fusion Kitchen offers paid vocational training placements for young adults from various organizations, with placements lasting from 3 , 6 & 9 months to 1 year. The weekly Wednesday $1-night is set up as special a training initiative for them to learn to work in a busy environment while still ensuring great customers satisfaction. For more information click here.

The Royal Order of Sahametrei is a medal presented by the Government of the Kingdom of Cambodia by Royal Decree of the King of [...]]]> We would like to extend sincere congratulations to Thomas Holdo Hansen for being awarded the prestigious Royal Order of Sahametrei by Royal Decree of His Majesty the King of Cambodia.

The Royal Order of Sahametrei is a medal presented by the Government of the Kingdom of Cambodia by Royal Decree of the King of Cambodia.

It is presented primarily to foreigners who have rendered distinguished services to the King and to the people of Cambodia, particularly in the field of external relations and diplomatic services or as a token of friendship.

The award was signed by the Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Akkak Moha Sena Padey Dekjo Hun Sen, and presented by  Lieutenant General Meas Savan at a ceremony at the Military Handicap Development Center (MHDC) Phnom Kulen, Siem Reap .

Located 40 minutes drive from Siem Reap town center, near Phnom Kulen, MHDC operates a public school, a medical clinic, a handicraft center and offers social housing for ex-military and their families.

The center has been set up predominantly to house army personnel and their families, who have been injured during the course of their career in the National Cambodian Army (NAC – National Army Cambodia), whether in active service or from landmine injuries. The conditions and injuries vary between severe paralysis, loss of sight, deafness or arms, hands or legs missing from land mine incidents.

The local primary school officially opened in December 2010 and the center itself was officially opened on Sunday 31st July with an official opening ceremony headed by the Prime Minister of Cambodia, Samdech Akkak Moha Sena Padey Dekjo Hun Sen.

Currently there are approximately 120 families housed at the center and over 80 children enrolled in the school, but this number is likely to double over the next year as more families move to the center. The school and health center are also open to those not living at the center.

We at Soria Moria are very proud to be a [...]]]> World Travel & Tourism Councils Tourism for Tomorrow Awards are one of the highest accolades in the global Travel & Tourism industry and recognise sustainable tourism achievements among businesses and destinations across the full spectrum of the industry. This year’s finalists  has just been announced.

We at Soria Moria are very proud to be a finalists in the Community Benefit category. This is a great achievement for us!  A recognition like this is a unique opportunity to create more awareness and advocacy about the work we do, and hopefully our business model can be inspiring for other businesses.

Below is the pressrelease from WTTC, 23 January 2012, announcing the 12 finalists in the 2012 Tourism for Tomorrow Awards.

WTTC’S TOURISM FOR TOMORROW AWARDS SHOWCASE INITIATIVES LEADING THE WORLD IN SUSTAINABILITY

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) just unveiled the twelve finalists for its 2012 Tourism for Tomorrow Awards . The awards are one of the highest accolades in the global Travel & Tourism industry and recognise sustainable tourism achievements among businesses and destinations across the full spectrum of the industry.

As sustainable tourism practices increasingly gain momentum around the world, organisations and destinations are raising the bar on best practices to new heights. Finalists of the Tourism for Tomorrow Awards from five continents, including Africa, Europe, Asia, North America and South America, were selected for their outstanding achievements in four categories representing over 50 countries.

This year’s finalists of the 2012 Tourism for Tomorrow Awards are:

Destination Stewardship (sponsored by Tauck & Partners) Entrants have successfully managed a sustainable tourism programme at the destination level, incorporating social, cultural, environmental, and economic benefits as well as multi-stakeholder engagement. Finalists are:

• Destination Røros, Norway
• Misool Eco Resort, Indonesia
• Tanabe City, Japan

Global Tourism Business Representing international companies with at least 500 employees, entrants’ achievements marry corporate success with sustainable principles and practices. Finalists are:

• Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts, Singapore
• REI Adventures, USA
• Wilderness, South Africa

Conservation Entrants have made a direct and tangible contribution to the preservation of nature, including the protection of wildlife, expanding and restoring natural habitat, and supporting biodiversity conservation. Finalists are:

• Cheli & Peacock, Kenya
• Inkaterra Peru, Peru
• NamibRand Safaris: Wolwedans Collection, Namibia

Community Benefit Entrants directly benefit local people, supporting community development and enhancing cultural heritage. Finalists are:

• Saunders Hotel Group, USA
• Soria Moria Boutique Hotel, Cambodia
• The Thailand Community Tourism Based Institute, Thailand

Finalists were selected by an international panel of independent judges led by Costas Christ, Chairman of Judges and an internationally recognised expert on sustainable tourism. In the first stage of a comprehensive three-step judging process, judges selected award entries that best demonstrate the protection of natural and cultural heritage, delivering social and economic benefits to local people, and engaging in environmentally friendly operations, as well as other factors.

Unique among such tourism awards, the second phase of judging includes an on-site evaluation of each finalist to make in-depth assessments and gain a well-rounded picture of the organisations and businesses in practice.

David Scowsill, President & CEO of WTTC said: “Travel & Tourism can have positive benefits for the planet and for local people by fostering the preservation of our natural, cultural, and historical heritage and by supporting community empowerment and revitalisation. Fortunately, more and more companies and destinations, are leading the way forward in demonstrating such practises.

For many years, our Tourism for Tomorrow Awards have helped showcase these projects, initiatives and operations that the tourism industry is already undertaking. Congratulations to our twelve finalists that are carrying the flag for sustainable practices in our own and other industries.”

Costas Christ said: “One day, there will be no need for awards to recognise those Travel & Tourism companies that are environmentally friendly, protect biodiversity and contribute to the social and economic wellbeing of local people. All Travel & Tourism businesses will operate that way in a new, and greener, global economy. Until then, it a great pleasure – and a true inspiration – to congratulate this year’s Tourism or Tomorrow Awards finalists, who are helping to lead the way forward in an evolution of this industry, where care for people, planet and profit, are all part of the new business bottom line.”

The Winner Selection Committee is drawn from media, government, non-profit organisations and the private sector. In addition to Costas Christ, the 2012 Winner Selection Committee judges are Hon Mr Marthinus van Schalkwyk, Minister of Tourism, South Africa; H.E. Sergio Díaz-Granados, Minister of Trade & Tourism, Colombia; Fiona Jeffery, Chairman of World Travel Market & Just A Drop; and Keith Bellows, Editor-in-Chief of National Geographic Traveler.

Winners and finalists will be recognised at WTTC’s annual Global Summit, held this year in Sendai/Tokyo, Japan from 16-19 April. Delegates at the Summit will find out the winners in each award category as part of the event’s official opening ceremony and welcome dinner on 17 April in Tokyo.

The Tourism for Tomorrow Awards are organised in association with Travelport and the Travel Corporation’s Conservation Foundation.

More details about the Tourism for Tomorrow Awards can be found on www.tourismfortomorrow.com

The movie also features Sangkheum Center for Children, and their weekly performance in Soria Moria. You can watch the video below:

[...]]]>
Our friends at Green Gecko have just finished their kids movie project about Cambodian Arts. Its a great short movie about traditional Cambodian Arts: Music, Bokator and Apsara Dancing.

The movie also features Sangkheum Center for Children, and their weekly performance in Soria Moria. You can watch the video below:

Thank you Green Gecko Team for sharing it with us!

For more information about Green Gecko and the great work they do, click here, and for more information about Sangkheum Center for Children, click here.

If you are in Siem Reap on a Friday, make sure you watch the performance by the Sangkheum Center for Children in Soria Moria. The proformance is free of charge, but we encourage donations to the center.

The performance starts at 19.00. Due to limited seating its advised to book in advance.

We are very excited that this year 21 children from TOGETHER FOR CAMBODIA will be joining us for the Santa Lucia celebration.  The children have [...]]]> We are looking forward to celebrate Santa Lucia Day in Soria Moria next week, on Tuesday 13th December 2011.

We are very excited that this year 21 children from TOGETHER FOR CAMBODIA will be joining us for the Santa Lucia celebration.  The children have eagerly been practicing the Santa Lucia Song and the Lucia Parade, which they will be performing in our restaurant at 18.00.

Since Santa Lucia Day falls on a Tuesday this year, it coincides with our weekly Ladies Night. The evening will continue as usual on our Rooftop with a Christmas Theme, and Gløgg (Gluhwein/Mulled Wine) & Lussekatter (Lucia Buns) will be available. As usual for Ladies Night, we offer a free drink for all ladies.

To boost the Christmas spirit, Deborah Lea Knight from Australia will be performing Christmas songs live in the Rooftop Bar!

The performances are free of charge, but donations towards Together for Cambodia are welcomed. We will also have a Raffle, with some nice “Christmassy” prizes to be won. All proceeds from the Raffles will be given to Together for Cambodia.

We look forward to see you there!

The Legend about Santa Lucia.

St. Lucy was born in Syracuse, Sicily around 283 and died in 303 AD. The legend is that her parents wanted her to marry a man who she didn’t want to marry. She wanted to devote her life to helping the poor. In protest against the marriage, she poked out her eyes and put them on a platter and sent them to the man. The legend says that her eyes were miraculously restored. It’s said that Saint Lucia blinded herself on the shortest, darkest day of the year, which is the Winter Solstice.

This day is very significant in Scandinavian countries. There, in December, the daylight time is very short and darkness and nighttime very long. Lucia is another way of saying “Lucy”, which literally translates to “light”. After the Winter Solstice the days get longer, and Santa Lucia Day is a celebration of the coming lengthening of the days.

The Santa Lucia Day is celebrates in schools and other public places with “Lusiatog” (Santa Lucia Parade) where the children dress in their white costumes and sing songs. They also pays a visit to hospitals and elderly care centers to spread some joy and Christmas spirit by handing out Lussekatter (Lusia Buns and cookies) and singing the Santa Lucia song.  Each year in every school, one lucky girl is selected to be Santa Lucia, dressed in a white robe with a red sash and wear a crown of candles on the head. The other girls wear dresses in white with silver crowns, and the boys wear pointed hats and carry wands with starts…

About Together For Cambodia:

Together for Cambodia’s main goal is to provide a safe and nourishing environment for the children, including education and health, so that these children can grow up to be responsible adults with qualifications and skills that will enable them to become valuable and productive members of their community.

The project supports over 40 vulnerable children with housing, schooling and activities. They work closely with the departments of Social Affairs, Immigration, Child Exploitation, Human Trafficking and Child Abuse, and receive support from international organizations such as CEOP and APLE.

“In accordance with TFC Child Protection Policies, you can not hug, kiss or touch the children, don´t take pictures of them and to speak with them some of the TFC staff should be present. Thank you for your help protecting the children”.

For more information about Together for Cambodia’s Regulations and Child Protection Policies, click here.

The 16th Angkor Wat International Half Marathon will be held 4 December 2011, and the 6th Angkor Wat Bike Race will be held on the 3rd December 2011.

The deadline for registration will be on 17 Nov. 2011.  There will be [...]]]> Run to bring artificial limb for land mine survivors Save Youth from HIV/AIDS!

The 16th Angkor Wat International Half Marathon will be held 4 December 2011, and the 6th Angkor Wat Bike Race will be held on the 3rd December 2011.

The deadline for registration will be on 17 Nov. 2011.  There will be no onsite registration in Siem Reap after deadline, so if you would like to participate, make sure you register soon!

Registrations for the half marathon can be made online: www.angkormarathon.org/en/entry.html or via email: tour@angkormarathon.org

For the bike race, please visit: www.villagefocus.org/bike

This is a very popular event, for a good cause, so remember to book your accommodation early!

For more information, please visit Angkor Wat International Half Marathon.

The Local Travel Movement is a not for profit platform started by people from companies founded on a passion for Local Travel and commitment to Local Travel values.

Why not take a moment to check out their website and [...]]]> We are very excited that Soria Moria have partnered up with the Local Travel Movement!

The Local Travel Movement is a not for profit platform started by people from companies founded on a passion for Local Travel and commitment to Local Travel values.

Why not take a moment to check out their website and read about why they think Local Travel is important, as well as the values that underpin it.

Travel as a local in Siem Reap!

Angkor Wat and the surrounding ruins are the major attraction in Siem Reap. But there’s something more to the place that makes people stay longer and return for a second, third and even fourth visit….

By doing a little bit of background reading, it can enhance your stay. But remember that a guidebook is just a guide. By listening to advice from local people, you are sure to have an enriched experience. Things might be very different from what you are used to, but that’s half the fun, isn’t it?

Why not use a bicycle to get around for a day. Or walk. It’s good for the environment, but also for you. It enables you to feel the air, hear all the sounds, and smell all the all the scents. And you’ll meet people, who will be eager to practice their English with you.

Khmers are genuine. They don’t expect much. And it does not take a lot to make them smile. Try to learn a few words in Khmer language. How about starting with “Soesday” and “Soksabai” – “Hello” and “How are you?”  You are sure to receive a big smile, and perhaps a long sentence in a language you don’t understand. It’s the start of a conversation, and perhaps a friendship that will last long after you leave the country..

For longer distances Tuk-Tuks are great fun – and the drivers can be very helpful and friendly. If the season is right you might be asked to join in on a local wedding or another celebration going on. You should use this opportunity – its will be completely different experience.

The Khmer cuisine is very tasty. It’s not spicy like Thai food, but full of flavors. Garlic, chili, coriander, ginger, lemongrass are all common ingredients. And fish-sauce. Fish Amok, Beef Lok Lak, Fried Rice, Lime Sour Soup are some of the local favorites.. And if you are into sweets, Lapow Song Kja is a Khemr desert of baked pumpkin filled with coconut custard, well worth a try.

If you like to try some unusual stuff, Crickets, deep friend with different flavors (you may choose between garlic, chili or maybe lemongrass), is a popular snack for the locals. It may look scary, but if you dare to try one – you might want another one!!! If eating cricket is a bit over your comfort zone, why not try Kow Lang Phnom. It literally translates to “cow climbs mountain”. The food is served fresh at the table, and you cook it on grill/soup in front of you as you eat. A very social way of eating and enjoying each other’s company. In peoples home this dish is often served on a bamboo mat on the floor.

When traveling, remember that:

• If you are mindful of the local people, you put yourself in the locals’ shoes and discover what they really think.
• If you are mindful of the local environment, you put yourself in the heart of it, feel its beauty and power, and do what you can to preserve it for the future.
• If you are mindful of the local culture, you put yourself in the local mindset and share in activities and experiences as locals do.
• If you are mindful of the local economy, you put your money into local business and ensure that your tourism benefits the right people.

(Local Travel Movement)

Challenge yourself to travel as a local for a day. You won’t regret it! Happy travels!