Now that you’re here, what will you do after a hard day (or week) at the office? Where is the action? The following are some ideas.

Aikido Club in P.P. www.aikido-cambodia.com

Alcoholics Anonymous Meets on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays at #11 Street 420 (near junction of Mao Tse Tung and Monivong Blvds). Remarkably under-attended given the huge pool of potential participants amongst resident expats. Denial is not a river in Egypt! Sign up today. Tel: 012 813 731, 017 559 308 or go to their website.

Apsara Dance School Want to get in touch with your inner private dancer, check here.

Ball Hockey Played every Thursday night at 7 p.m. at City Villa, corner of Streets 360 & 71. Contact peter at peterloucks@ispp.edu.kh

Ballet by the Dance Workshop. Recitals and performances are encouraged for students with an emphasis on training hard, working hard and having fun at the same time! Classes offered – R.A.D Ballet/ Jazz and Modern/ Contemporary/ Adult Ballet/ Body Conditioning for Dancers. Classes for ages 4-Adult. Please contact danceworkshopcambodia@gmail.com and enrolment details will soon be sent to you. Also, check out their Facebook page for latest dance news.

Bicycle tours and rental Get out’a town. Take a trip across the river lasting anything from nine to seventeen hours, alone, or with the family, friends or colleagues. Using the ferry, it takes just a few minutes from the centre of town for you to in the midst of a rural idyll replete with fruit orchards and rice fields, water buffalo, fish ponds, and smiling locals. Business hours are Saturdays and Sundays from 9am to 5 pm. For further information Tel: 089 834 704 or 015 696 376. contact@2cyclecambodia.com

Cambodia Japan Friendship Skills Training Centre Sells beautiful wooden toys – from simple blocks, pegboards and puzzles (Khmer and English numbers and letters as well as picture puzzles) to more elaborate wooden toys – such as play kitchens, strollers, buses, even very cute Khmer style toy houses complete with traditional Khmer toy furniture. They also make Montessori counting blocks and other educational toys as well as kids furniture- cots, toddler beds, high chairs, easels, etc. Prices were very reasonable and they seemed well made. It had been rumoured that they used lead-based paints but this isn’t true. Instead they use UP-90 Acrylic Lacquer Spray for all the painting.
Address: #1425, Road # 2, Chak Angre Krom, only a few minutes past the new overpass by the Monivong Bridge, on the road to Tahkmao. If you are heading south along Norodom, go over the overpass to keep going to Tahkmao (i.e. not over the Monivong Bridge), past a small Wat on the left then a Caltex Service Station a few minutes later. Immediately after on the left hand side is another Wat and the factory is directly opposite, on the right side. The administrator is Meng Hongleng: phone number is 023 425787 (speaks some English). N.B. closed lunchtime for a couple of hours.

Car, van, and bus services either within Phnom Penh or to go to anywhere in Cambodia. A van for the full day (Mercedes Benz with a/c  – recommended as it has more room) around Phnom Penh city only is $US40/day, 7am – 5pm. For more information please check here or call Sokren at 012 755 003. Website suggests this service is designed chiefly for God-botherers (Jeez, and we thought they could walk on water!)

Café Samen Half- and full-day courses in Khmer cuisine that include a trip to the local market to source the ingredients, followed by instructions of how to put it all together. #26A Street 442 (near the Russian Market) Tel: 012 769 786

Cambodian Cooking Classes @ Frizz #67 Street 240 Check here.

Cambodian Federation of Rugby Got a ball fetish? This may be the solution. 15-a-side rugby. 4 senior teams as well as kid’s touch footy and women’s teams. Contact Larry at khmer_rugby@yahoo.com.uk for all the info or go here.

Experienced Khmer Instructor: Sreynim (Nim) Song has lots of experience teaching foreigners how to master the local lingo. Flash cards are a specialty of hers. Email nim@myfirstkhmer.com or Tel: 012 342 315.

The Flicks #39B, Street 95  Excellent small cinema house that shows up-to-date western films, run by a very friendly Kiwi couple. Go on your own or take a bunch of friends. Make sure you get on their mailing list so you know what’s on. Call Martin on Tel: 097-8967827

Le Cinema at the French Cultural Centre. #218 Street 184 Less subtitles in English than there once were, plus an incomprehensible schedule and website (even the CCF staff can’t decipher them), have now put these excellent movies out of reach of all but the most determined Francophone.

Go-Karting Kambol Go-Karting out past the airport in Kambol Village, off Route #4 has 1000 metre course that includes a small hill. Individuals or groups can rent 6.5hp Explorer carts between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Tel: 012 232 332

Hair Salons:
Arya Vong Kim, St 63, Tel: 011516575
ChocolateBlondeCambodia, St 242, Tel: 077995160
DeGran, St 352, Tel: 023999707
The Dollhouse, St 322, Tel: 016620907
Eriq Amtallia, St 246, Tel: 017839546
Tokyo Hair Dress, Mao Tse Tybg Blvd, Tel: 017880740

The French Element: Himawari Hotel Unit D 313, Sisowath Quay. Tel: 077 283 332.

Hash House Harriers. For drinkers with a running problem. Meets every Sunday at 14.15 at the railway station.

Indoor Cycling Class (RPM) on Friday Mornings. Every Friday morning 8.15 – 9.15: indoor cycling  class in town. Every-BODY (long, short, sporty, not-sporty, women, men, young, older etc) can join!! as you can organise your own speed and resistance on the bike. Location: Muscle and Fitness Street 95, corner of Street 386. For more information or if you wish to join, please email: jolandazwetsloot@hotmail.com

Inside Out Cambodia Tuk Tuk and Van Hire Service Contact Chantal Hoes 017 996 904 (chanthol.insideoutcambodia@gmail.com)

Kanika Restaurant Cruises Phnom Penh’s only luxury bar-restaurant cruise boat, operating daily at lunchtime, sunset and dinner times along the Tonle Sap and Bassac. Can safely hold up to 80 people so perfect for social functions. Offers both Asian and Western cuisine. Operates from a mooring behind the Himawari Hotel. For details or to make a booking, email kanikaboat@gmail.com or phone (Eng) 089 848 959 or (Khmer) 012 848 082.

Lyna-Garage.com, contact Lyna Tan 012 924 517

Meta House #37 Sotheros Boulevard (opposite the Buildbright Uni). Films, art gallery, bar, cinema and production house. Shows free, high quality foreign and Cambodian films Tuesday to Sunday nights at 7 p.m. Tel: 012 607 465

Nataraj Yoga #52 Street 302 BKK1. Enjoy getting your nickers in a twist? Tired of the poseurs in the gym and just want a chance to chill out? Check out this link for yoga classes for their public class schedule. Apparently all their teachers have different styles, so try each of them until you find which style you prefer (NB, all classes conducted in non air-conditioned rooms). NataRaj Yoga is part of the Krama Yoga NGO and proceeds from all public classes support the NGO. All their teachers are English-speaking and highly qualified. Styles include Vinyasa Flow, Ashtanga and Iyengar-inspired Yoga.Tel: 012 739 419 and 012 739284 and 012250817.

Pepper: Black & White Makes for a perfect gift. Call 078897870 (for a 20% discount on orders above $US20) and check out the story behind a unique product at http://www.bwpepper.com/

Philatelists of the World Unite Learn about the history, culture and development of Cambodia through its stamps.

Picture Framing Shops:

• New Art Framing in street 9 next to Psar Kapko is a well used framing shop for expats and can show you a lot of their work. speak English (and Khmer)
• Le Lizard Bleu on street 240
• Little framing shop upstairs near the Golden Gate hotel on street 278 (east by five shops or so).
• Apsara, next to Cafe Yejj (#170, Street 450, Toul Tom Pong, half a block from Russian Market).

Pilatés Clark Hatch Fitness Center, Hotel Intercontinental, 296 Blvd Mao Tse Toung, Phnom Penh Tel: 023 42 4888 has Pilates classes. The instructor, Kate, is highly regarded. Call or visit the gym and talk to Sam, the Gym Manager. But be prepared for the price to hurt. Kate also conducts three classes a week at Nataraj Yoga (#52 Street 302 BKK1), which may be easier on the pocket. Find out more information regarding their timings and prices from their website. However these classes are conducted in non air-conditioned rooms.

Planning a party at home or at your office? Good news! Now you can rent tables and chairs for a very affordable rate. Contact Maly at Tel: 017 658 873 or 012 309 293 or at mincambodia@yahoo.com

Pool Tables: can be purchased on the Avenue de France, right next to Wat Phnom, on the avenue going north to the Japanese Bridge. A few sellers on the corner of the street (after the massage parlours and the mini mart).

Salsa Dancing Ready to strut your stuff while getting in touch with you inner mojo? Trip the light fantastic at Salsa Phnom Penh - but remember to bring a partner so there are even numbers so everyone gets a chance to dance! Check out their website for details.

Scuba Diving Scuba Nation PADI 5 Star Dive Center, the first of its kind in Cambodia, offers dives courses here in Phnom Penh, as well as daily trips and live-on-boards to the islands #1818Eo Sothearos Blvd

Shadow Puppet Workshops Sovanna Phum Art Association offers workshops in a range of traditional arts including puppet-making and performing, including private classes on request. # 159B Street 99 Tel: 023 221 932

Soccer: The Bayon Wanderers Training sessions are held at the City Villa on Wednesdays and Fridays 8-10 p.m. or at the Old Stadium on Tuesdays 4.30 until dark. Mixed Khmer and Western team. Contact Billy Barnaart between 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. Tel: 012 803 040 or check out here.

Stick and Bitch. If you’re into needle crafts, PP has its own active group of knitters, crocheters, cross-stitchers, needlers of all types. They have their own blog/website to keep everyone up-to-date on meet-up schedule and, eventually, where to get supplies. The group is open to any and everyone, and you can pop in for as long as you want.

Tennis at the Club at Northbridge (1km off national Rd 4 on the way to the airport) has an excellent tennis court open daily from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. and again from 3 p.m. – 6 p.m. but you need to book in advance Tel: 023 886 012

Textbooks for Learning Khmer Planning on learning Khmer either with a teacher or by self-study, and want a textbook written by an foreigner fluent in the language, check out here. These textbooks are based on 12 summers worth of experience teaching in and designing the Khmer language program at SEASSI, as well as being the textbooks used for teaching Khmer at the University of California-Berkeley. The author, Frank Smith, works out of the states but can hand deliver a book here (saving the freight charges) if you get in on time.

Thunder Ranch Shooting Range, (near Killing Fields of Cheoung Ek). Tuk-tuk drivers, insensitive to the reaction many visitors, will try to include this in a trip to the Killing Fields. Cows and other farm animals can be used to serve as targets for an extra fee (about $300 for a cow). Pistol: $10; AK-47 (30 bullets): $40; Rocket launcher: $200. Not recommended for vegetarians.

Top Dog Grooming. Clipping, shampoo, flea and tick treatment. Easy and convenient service. Khmer owned and run. Trained by foreign dog groomers. Pick up/drop off available (added charge). Tel: 012 261 264 (EN) – 017 716 534 (KH)

Touch Rugby (mixed) is played most Saturday afternoons at 3.00 – 5.00 at ISPP. Please contact Stewart Tel: 012 812 795 or Michelle 092 297 4759.

Visit an Orphanage. Frequently visited by foreigners wanting to help out with time, money, food, school books, etc. However, be aware that orphanages may be exploitative and poorly run, plus your participation may be little more than poverty voyeurism. Impromptu visits from unscreened foreigners is often a sign of a substandard orphanage that doesn’t have the children’s best interests at heart. Frequently your money goes to the owner rather than the kids. If you really want to help, try contacting organizations that run educational programs, and see if there is anything you can assist. For more information see here.

Yoga for Runners. Training for the Angkor Wat marathon or just a regular runner? First Breath Yoga Studio will be offering two new classes each week specifically for stretching out the muscles that are most at use during running sessions. Classes will be on Wednesdays from 6:20-7:30pm as well as Sunday mornings from 9:00-10:10am. Drop in costs $7.  Neila Steele, a registered nurse, certified Hatha yoga instructor, and running enthusiast will lead these 70-minute classes. Contact Neila at first_breath_yoga@yahoo.com for further inquiries or to make reservations. Located on top floor, #14 street 51 next to Gloria Jeans.

Women’s International Group Every Thursday morning Chatterbox is our drop-in coffee morning which takes place at Java Cafe from 9.30 – 11.00.

Yoga Classes in English/ Spanish  Classes are available from January. Classes tailored for all audiences, beginners, intermediate and advanced. They also offer Yoga for pregnant women or those planning to get pregnant and wanting to prepare for it. An easily accessible program according to your way of life and your physical and emotional needs. Contact María Phone: 078645543