Travelfish correspondent Nicky Sullivan

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Posts by Nicky Sullivan:

• Getting a fish foot massage in Siem Reap

  First published: 11 Jun 2011
  

  In the beginning there was only one. Then before you could say “Holy mackerel!”, the infection had spread all across Siem Reap, consuming human flesh and provoking howls and shrieks from susceptible young women. There’s now a rash of garra rufa in almost every part of central Siem Reap, and there’s no escaping their relentless … read the full post

• Bakong pagoda: It’s the little things that count

  First published: 05 Jun 2011
  

  Sometimes we forget about the little things, and too often we’ve no idea of the loss we’ve incurred by doing so. Case in point: a recent visit to Bakong temple to attend a ceremony marking completion of a project to restore paintings on the inner and outer walls of a small pagoda within its grounds. … read the full post

• Why giving money to street kids is a really terrible idea

  First published: 03 Jun 2011
  

  It seems so natural and harmless, and resistance feels so callous and cruel, to give to the kids that fill the streets of Siem Reap selling books, postcards, flowers and jewellery, or sometimes just begging for money.  They are poor, they’re clearly in need, and they’re so full of fun and banter that it’s impossible … read the full post

• Getting out for a walk to see Cambodian life

  First published: 30 May 2011
  

  If you’re only in Siem Reap for a few short and no doubt busy days, it might be difficult to get out and see some of the beautiful Khmer countryside.  Indeed, even if you’re here for a little longer, there’s enough to fill your time, what with temples, cooking classes, and massages, that can conspire … read the full post

• Jewellery in Siem Reap

  First published: 28 May 2011
  

  As the name suggests, Garden of Desire is a place in which to set your heart free. It is also a window into the mind of Ly Piseth, the designer who came back to Cambodia in 2007 in order to restore his own soul. Along the way, he has tapped into a creative seam that … read the full post

• Medical care in Siem Reap

  First published: 27 May 2011
  

  It seems fatuous to say it, largely because it is fatuous to say it, but the best advice for health care in Siem Reap is don’t get sick in the first place. Don’t go gnawing on irregular shaped pieces of ice that look like they’ve been chipped or shaved off a very large block, approach … read the full post

• Pub quiz mania

  First published: 25 May 2011
  

  There’s something so attractive about pub quizzes: here’s an opportunity to enjoy a few beers with friends adjoined to the very exciting possibility of being able to show off your arcane knowledge of ’80s pop music or South American butterfly genera.  The competitive edge adds a certain frisson to the evening while everyone knows that … read the full post

• A little about the Tonle Sap (Great Lake)

  First published: 23 May 2011
  

  At the physical heart of Cambodia, an immense body of water is the soul of the nation.  The great Tonle Sap lake not only sustains Cambodian stomachs, with its harvest accounting for more than 50% of Cambodia’s protein intake, it is also a source of immense national pride. Its uniqueness lies in events that take … read the full post