News, insight and information for travelers, Cambodia watchers, Cambodian-Americans and the donors of the The Pookai Book Project, a non-profit organization helping the Angsoeng Library in Cambodia. http://www.pookaibooks.org/weblog/ “In order to get by as an English-speaking person in Khmer-land, you need to understand how (most) Khmers pronounce English. Hence... lessons in Kmenglish.” Thus begins a fun and help lesson ensues. You know it’s a good blog entry when you see a word like glottis. http://pookaibooks.org/weblog/2005/05/guide-to-khmenglish.html June’s Bayon Pearnik is out and it includes a lengthy, albeit unsigned, essay attempting to define Khmer culture. It’s definitely bound to get some tongues wagging. http://pookaibooks.org/weblog/2005/06/defining-khmer-culture.html The $3 Angkor free increase that was supposed to start this week will be delayed at least two weeks. Never fear, though, the “free” book that was to accompany the increase is already being handed out. http://pookaibooks.org/weblog/2005/06/technical-difficulties-delay-angkor.html The latest edition of The Phnom Penh Post has a great story about the challenge of maintain the eco-tourism tradition of Yeak Loam. http://pookaibooks.org/weblog/2005/06/eco-tourism-is-giving-way-to-tourism.html Tales of Asia’s June Update includes news that the Ratanakiri Airport will be taking flights from Siem Reap, Vietnam and China in 2007. That’s the most interesting tidbit – but not the only one. TAO also goes off (twice!) on the Angkor ticket price hike; reports another black eye for the Heart of Darkness; and includes some Preah Vihear information. http://pookaibooks.org/weblog/2005/06/ratanakiri-airport-thats-just-start.html Robbers who strike while wearing only underwear, their bodies slathered with oil to make them slippery and harder to catch, have resurfaced in Cambodia. http://pookaibooks.org/weblog/2005/06/beware-underwear-thieves.html The ancient and controversial border temple is back open. But that doesn’t mean the controversy won’t loom for sometime. http://pookaibooks.org/weblog/2005/06/preah-vihear-open-again.html One Tales of Asia chatter likes this pass, although you have to stopover in Hong Kong no matter where you go. http://pookaibooks.org/weblog/2005/06/all-asia-pass-worth-considering.html If it’s not Preah Vihear it’s something else. http://pookaibooks.org/weblog/2005/06/border-agreement-in-jeopardy-pdf.html Special shoes, which tourists would rent before entering the Angkor Wat temples, are supposed to help prevent more damage to ancient buildings. I wonder how many famous world wonders require rented shoes! (Hat tip to the Tales of Asia Forum for pointing this out) http://pookaibooks.org/weblog/2005/06/are-angkor-shoes-like-bowling-shoes.html