Traditional hardwood construction : Sawn frame carvel plank, with ironwood trunnels. But: caulked with polyurethane to the back of the seams (no cotton), gluing the plank edges together.
Her spacious open deck can accommodate more than 20 morning , afternoon, and evening revelers along the shores of Asian resorts, (i.e. Sihanouk Ville, Cambodia; Pattaya; Phuket in Thailand etc.)

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“Gray Dove” is a tough traditional working sailing vessel with no Frills, suitable for long distance, fully equipped diving parties (to the Natunas, Spartley Reef , Tubataha, Tawi. Tawi, etc.,) at low sea mile cost.

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This interior layout shows 8 bunks with 2 wet heads (telephone showers with floor drains). Two tight staterooms aft, double, stateroom amid ship, double stateroom forepeak. The dining table folds in half to allow the dining settee to become a full length (6’9”) bunk. There is a settee / bunk with fold-down desk stbd amid ship. The engine hides under the middle dining seat. The lazarette is large enough to house the genset with easy access.

THE SCHOONER
‘GRAY DOVE’
under construction:

Girard Dewitt is a retired small vessel designer and builder with over 35 years of experience in Fiberglass, metal and wooden boat production in the U.S, (Florida and California), Thailand, Ecuador, Mexico and now in Sihanouk Ville, Cambodia.

Girard is seeking a 50% partner to be able to complete “GRAY DOVE” in timely fashion, and to put her to work, either in tourism, or island trading in coffee and other lucrative legal products.
Alternatively, Girard will finish this useful craft for a purchaser to suit.

For more detailed Information
E-mail: paradise_internet1@yahoo.com
or
In Cambodia : 855 (0) 89 568 631 Mr. Girard

Not quite sure how, but I seem to have missed the changes that have occurred down on Serendipity Beach, in particular what’s been happening at the ever popular Coasters Bungalows and Restaurant.

Coasters themselves still have the same great service and prices that they have become known for, but now the partners have expanded their operations and added a brand new restaurant and bar to the side at ”The Aquarium”.

This space is extremely well laid out with a rustic yet ‘trendy’ decor that is in well keeping with the area, prices (particularly Cocktails) are very well priced and it seems to be becoming increasingly popular as a ‘hang out bar’. That said, don’t ignore the food!

A wide selection of both western and asian dishes are available to suit most tastes and wallets, and like Coasters, the service is pretty much flawless without being ‘robotic’ and delivered with the best of Khmer smiles and personality.

The major feature of The Aquarium (and benefit during the current Rainy Season!) is the full length sliding glass panels that protect diners from the elements, yet still provide the wonderful panoramic view that Serendipity is so well known for.

Music in the restaurant is served up by a live band which plays to diners and guests every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. ”The Beer Brothers” are a duo of popular local characters who have been playing in various bands around town for some time. This reincarnation however, is really well suited to the size and ambiance of The Aquarium and they seem to be well received by dining crowd ….. some of whom are even invited to join in with the band!

For those with a more active lifestyle, The Aquarium and Coasters have also setup a Power Snorkeling / Power Diving Centre right on the beach. For only $10 (rainy season price) you can experience diving for the first time in complete safety with an experienced team of qualified divers.

Power Snorkeling is unlike regular diving as you are limited to a dive depth of 3 metres, plenty enough to experience the corals just off Serendipity Beach. Air is supplied via the regulator ‘mouthpiece’ from a floating battery powered compressor attached to your dive harness, this provides complete freedom of movement around the shallow coastline.

Nothing could be more safe for the complete novice, but for those after a little more action, you actually get around by steering your own battery powered ‘torpedo shaped mini sub’! Great fun!

Rooms are available from around $15 dollars in the low season, upto around $100 for a suite in the high season, and of course they offer the full range of Island tours, Kayaking Equipment and local knowledge.

For more information visit their website at www.cambodia-beaches.com

It’s no surprise then to find that books which reference the many locations such as beaches, bars, restaurants and temples, are extremely popular. They help refresh the memories of places you have actually visited, sometimes even reminding you of people that you have actually met.

Two such books are ”Buddha’s Tooth” and ”Chalice”, both written by local, Sihanoukville based Author Robert A. Webster.

These books detail the travels, turmoils and temptations of a group of friends as they make their way around Thailand and Cambodia, I won’t give away any of the story, but I have to say that although the works are in the main ”fiction” the detail that the Author goes into allows you to become completely transported back to Asia where you can once again relive and enjoy memories of places you have visited.

Written with an ”insiders knowledge”, the books give a fascinating background to the towns and people which combined with the sharp wit of the Author makes the book ‘unputdownable’!

Robert Webster has graciously allowed Sihanoukville Online to provide his two published books as free downloads, and here are the links.

Buddha’s Tooth

Chalice – Buddha’s Tooth 2

Together these books have already been downloaded and enjoyed by over 5000 readers!

If you would prefer to read the actual books however, you can call into the Golden Lion Plaza and pick up either or both books and even have them personally signed by Robert himself.

Contact me via this site for futher information.

At 95 year old vessel, only two years younger than the HMS Titanic, MVDoulos is the worlds oldest Ocean going passenger ship and has been used as a floating library with the slogan ”Bringing Knowledge, Help and Hope” by German charity ‘Good Books for All’ since 1977. During this time they have sailed to over 100 countries and received over 21 million visitors onboard.

MVDOULOS will be in Sihanoukville until the 28th July and during their stay here they will be holding daily ‘bookfairs’, entrance is 1000 rield, and a number of Internationally themed Events, including ….

Family Days – 12th, 19th and 26th July

Café International (for English speakers only) – 14th. Price is $1.50

Love Boat (Youth Program) – 17th. Price $0.50

Dancing around the World – 18th. Price $1.00

Around the World in 80 minutes – 21st. Price $1.00

As some of you will know, I’ve taken over the Kiss Bar (3rd Bar on the right) and have been here since the start of June. To be honest, we really haven’t changed anything but (much to Elvin’s disgust!) we’ve managed to turn it into, probably, the 3rd busiest bar here. Not bad at all and it’s been a great laugh.

Elvin’s bar, Pacino’s, is fighting back though and along with being part of the forthcoming Pool League that I’m organising for town, he’s planning on offering his own personal ‘Chilli Nights’, which i’m sure will go down well.

A great guy from the UK has taken over the Sandgroper Bar, which was abandoned when crazy John left town. He’s turning the place around completely and I have to say he’s got some great plans for the place. Watch out for “Stevie C’s Fun Bar” when it opens in the next couple of weeks.

Paddy is busy expanding Plastic Paddy’s Bar, and is installing new tables and seats, he’s also having a bit of a ‘rethink’ when it comes to the marketing and image of the place, and his ideas will, i’m sure, make a difference to an already successful business.

Sessions2 has opened and they seem to be having a party every other night or so, not sure what their plans are for Sessions1 on Ochheuteal Beach, but with the current clampdown on music after midnight it certainly makes sense to concentrate down here in the plaza.

There’s been a bit of interest in Elvins other Bar “the Shack”, which has to be one of the best looking bars on the Plaza, a couple of potential buyers are considering their options at the moment.

All in all, the place is certainly getting a bit of a ‘buzz’ around it now, about time too!

Coolabah Resort Sihanoukville

The Coolabah Resort is a newly opened International standard hotel with quality large bedrooms tastefully furnished and decorated.

All our rooms are en-suite with luxury bathrooms as well as having king sized double beds (or large twins) with air-conditioning, overhead fans, mini-bar/fridge, cable TV, internet.

Enjoy soft lighting, crisp white linen and plump comfortable pillows when you stay with us – Check Availability

Crystal Hotel Sihanoukville

The Crystal Hotel, Sihanoukville, has 48 beautiful rooms that offer an attractive view of the ocean.

The hotel is located on the best location in town, the very popular Ochheuteal beach where visitors like to relax and enjoy swimming and sunbathing.

We have a snack bar right on the beach that offers a superb view of the sceneries of sea line and ocean.

In addition, we have a find dining restaurant that serves a variety of foods that includes Khmer, Thai, Chinese, and some Western food items.

You also have a great selection of friendly restaurants and bars within walking distance of the hotel.

Local transport and tours may also be arranged through us – Check Availability

Golden Sand Hotel Sihanoukville

The Golden Sand Hotel is a three-star hotel located close to the Golden Lions Runabout and a few minutes’ walk from Ochheuteal Beach.

It’s a three and a half hour drive from Phnom Penh International Airport and a 15-minute drive from downtown.

This Sihanoukville hotel hosts 108 rooms equipped with standard facilities.

A lobby bar and a Western restaurant serving Kampuchean and other Asian cuisines in addition to Western cuisine are available.

The hotel also has an outdoor swimming pool for recreation – Check Availability

Holiday Palace Hotel Sihanoukville

The Holiday Palace Hotel is situated just a three-minute walk from both Victory beach and Victory Monument.

The city center and railway station are five minutes away. It is one of the largest hotels in Sihanoukville, and houses a 24-hour casino for those feeling lucky.

This Sihanoukville hotel has 137 rooms ranging from executive suites to standard rooms equipped with satellite TVs, air conditioners, mini bars, and telephones.

The restaurant mainly offers Cambodian foods as well as other Asian dishes. Recreational facilities include a bar, a cafe and a beauty salon – Check Availability

Phnom Penh – A former Khmer Rouge official photographer has put on sale for 1.5 million dollars what he claims to be Pol Pot’s clothes, sandals and toilet, along with thousands of photographs and other artifacts he collected during the genocidal regime’s 1975-79 rule. “I will sell Pol Pot’s sandals, toilet, his uniform and cap, thousands of photographs and the two cameras I used during the Khmer Rouge period,” said Nhem En, who was recruited to take photographs of detainees when they arrived at Tuol Sleng torture prison in Phnom Penh.

“I am asking for 1.5 million dollars, but the price is negotiable,” he added. Nhem En said he would use the money to establish a Khmer Rouge museum in Anlong Veng, a small town near the Thai border where the Maoist group hid in a jungle fortress until it disbanded in 1998. “I am selling these items, but I have others that will be housed in the museum,” he said. “I have already asked for donations for this museum from the US, France, Germany, Canada, Australia, Vietnam, South Korea and Thailand, but none have provided funding.”His appeal came as the trial of the former head of Tuol Sleng prison resumed before Cambodia’s UN-backed war crimes tribunal.

Kaing Guek Euv, known by his revolutionary alias Duch, faces charges of crimes against humanity, torture, premeditated murder and breaches of the Geneva Conventions, allegedly committed at the school-turned-prison, where at least 15,000 men, women and children were imprisoned and tortured before being murdered in the “killing fields” on the outskirts of the capital. Nhem En said the millions of dollars in international donor funding spent on bringing Duch and four other Khmer Rouge leaders to trial would be better invested in his museum.

“Nobody in the Cambodian government supports my museum plan, so it will need a great deal of international funding to be established,” he said. In April, Nhem En offered to sell Pol Pot’s shoes and toilet for 500,000 dollars and said he would keep the other items to be housed in the museum. Up to 2 million people died during through execution, starvation or overwork during the Khmer Rouge’s rule

First published in Earth Times

Traffic Laws

1. Helmets. All motorcyclists MUST wear helmets. Passengers, in front or in back, are exempt for some reason. Compulsory helmets isn’t a bad thing either, having had a couple of ‘nasty’ accidents in Thailand I welcome, but admittedly don’t always obey, this relatively new law. Unlike Thailand too, this law applies to locals as well. many is the time I’ve seen Khmers handing over money at the checkpoints. The fine varies between 5k and 7k  Riel, though one Policeman did say “up to you” when I was last stopped!
2. Mirrors. Motorcycles MUST have both mirrors. Not strictly enforced at the moment, but don’t be surprised if you have an extra fine for it. If you are renting a motorcycle, make sure it comes with mirrors.
3. Driving Licenses. A new law that is being enforced in Phnom Penh is you must have a Cambodian Driving License. These are available from any Driving School and cost between 40 and 55 dollars according to reports. You may be requested to take the Driving Test or your valid License from your home Country may suffice. Rumours are that International Driving Licenses are accepted, but since mine clearly stated that Cambodia was not covered, I have my doubts. Failure to have a licence (in Phnom Penh) can result in a fine of 50 dollars or even a couple of months in prison. To my knowledge, this law is not enforced in Sihanoukville ….. yet.
4. Which side? Confusing at best this one. Same as America and mainland Europe, they drive / ride on the Right Hand side of the road here ….. most of the time. Don’t be too shocked to see people coming at you ‘head on’ when traveling down a dual carriageway though!
5. Lights. Apparently it’s against the law to have your lights on full beam during the daylight hours, using low beam, whilst not unlawful is generally advised against. Judging by the number of scooter riders traveling without lights at night, you’d think the same laws  applied then too.
6. Traffic Lights. These have been seen in Phnom Penh for some time, but we’ve recently had major investment (at least 5 sets) here in Sihanoukville. Going through a Red Light is against the law (like you didn’t know) and can result in a fine of up to 2 dollars. At many of the junctions where lights have been installed, they have two white lines traversing the carriageway. This is classed as a Pedestrian Walkway and you should not stop your vehicle here.
7. Speeding. Unlike Thailand, speeding isn’t really a problem here in Cambodia. If you see anyone driving fast, it’s probably a westerner at the wheel. That said, they are bringing out new laws to combat Speeding. Offenders will be fined on a sliding scale depending on how much they were over the speedlimit. That said, if you can spot any Maximum Speed Signs, you have better eyes than me. Maybe these will appear soon, maybe they wont. In general though, the Maximum speed for motorbikes in towns is 30km/h, for cars it’s 40km/h. Outside of town it’s 90km/h for Bikes and Cars, Trucks are limited to 60km/h and 50km/h if pulling a trailer.
8. Drink Driving. Again, no rule is currently in effect to deal with this, although it is a problem, and I don’t mean spilling your beer under heavy braking! Plans are a-foot though to deal with this offence. Apparently, you will be taken to the Police Station and requested to ’sleep it off’. Once sober, you will be allowed to go. I’m sure you’ll be leaving with a ‘lighter’ wallet though.

General Road Safety

Getting around amidst the traffic in Cambodia is, at first, a scary thing it has to be said. At a glance, it looks as if there is complete confusion and it’s hard to imagine why there aren’t more accidents. After a while though, you realise that due to the lack of speed the cars, bikes and trucks are able to merge and flow together then, amazingly emerge unscathed on the other side. Much like a box of snakes, they don’t go banging heads too often either.

Horns Horns Horns! The first think you’ll notice about the road users here, is their love of ‘horns’. The blaring is constant from very early morning till dusk. They are used as a “I’m coming through and there’s no stopping me” warning, and never used in conjunction with a ’slowing down’ manouvre.

Amazingly however, and most welcome, is the attitude general attitude of vehicle users here. You never see deliberate ‘badness’ such as cutting up, tail-gating etc and even after an collision, things very seldom get ‘heated’.

People here drive the way they do, and though it may seem confusing, wrong and even dangerous to visitors, accidents are relatively few and motoring related deaths are rare , well, outside of the major holidays anyway, when the serious drinking takes place.

In the event of an Accident

If the accident involves damage to property only, there is no need to call or inform the Police, if however anyone is injured then the Police must be called immediately.

Here’s where things get a little bit grey. Generally, if two Khmers have an accident together then the one with the least Government or ‘Official’ connections will be the one to pay, no matter if they caused the accident or not.

If you are involved in an accident with a Khmer, your fault or not, then chances are you’ll have to pay your own costs and probably something for the Khmer as well. After all, if you weren’t in Cambodia, the accident wouldn’t have happened!

Summary

Everything above is based on experience and knowledge of a few of the traffic laws applicable to Cambodia. Your experience may well be different! Let me know if it has been.

If you would like the full “un-official’ translation of the Khmer Driving / Traffic Laws, you can find and download a copy here.

Cambodian-Traffic-Law-English-Version?autodown=pdf

More than 100 boarders were on the school’s premises when the incident occurred at about 6 a.m. but no one was hurt, the school said in a press release.

The fire did not spread beyond the two soundproof rooms but two firefighters failed to save the facilities that were built in February.

School rector Salesian Father John Visser said losses amounted to tens of thousands of U.S. dollars. The studios and equipment, used for students’ media education, had been bought with donations from benefactors in the Netherlands.

In an interview, Ros Buntha, head of the school’s social communication department, said two computers, a projector and other audiovisual materials such as CDs, VCDs, video cassettes, cables and microphones were completely destroyed.

Vice rector Father Albeiro Rodas, coordinator of the school’s social communication projects, said the fire was a setback for the school, but hopes to receive support and assistance from the public.

“We wanted the studios to be a center of production for the education and development of this country,” he said, adding that he plans to rebuild the facilities.

“We are going to do it better … We believe in the young people and we believe in Cambodia,” he added.

Don Bosco Technical School is a leading vocational training institute in Cambodia run by Salesian priests. Apart from Sihanoukville, it has four other campuses in the country, in Battambang, Kep, Phnom Penh and Poipet.

The institute provides technical skills training to thousands of young Cambodians and the campus in Sihanoukville has a yearly enrollment of more than 350.

Saint John Bosco, commonly known as Don Bosco, founded the Salesian society in the mid-1800s in Italy.

Royal astrologer Kang Ken said after the annual ritual, which was held in a park near the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, that the oxen ate offerings of beans and corn but snubbed offerings of rice, sesame seeds, grass, water and wine.

‘This means that annual rice production will fall by 30 per cent, but there will be plenty of rainwater this year for agriculture around the whole country,’ he announced to a crowd of more than 1,000 people at the ceremony presided over by King Norodom Sihamoni.

The event is said to be taken very seriously by Cambodia’s rural poor, who make up roughly 85 per cent of the population and are regarded as highly superstitious by city dwellers.

Sim An, a farmer from Kandal Province in central Cambodia, said he was saddened to see the oxen reject the rice offering.

‘This is not good for me because I plant rice every year and unlike other farmers, I grow only one kind of crop,’ he said.

But Nub Sophal, a farmer from the southern province of Kampot, said he was not worried about the prediction.

‘Even after listening to the astrologer’s prediction I am still happy because we always have a good crop in my province,’ he said. ‘But I still wonder why the oxen did not eat the rice or grass because we all know that it makes our harvest much better.’

Prime Minister Hun Sen did not attend the ceremony, but the king was joined by an audience of ministers, ruling party leaders and foreign diplomats.

Hun Sen is pushing for Cambodia to become a major rice exporter after a lifting a ban on exports in May last year.

In January, the premier predicted that rice exports would increase from about 1 million tons in 2008 to more than 2 million tons in 2009.