APAD 233: Lip balm from Cambodia’s wilds
Before the end of the year, there was a trade far held at Koh Pich. With the theme One Province, One Product, all provinces in Cambodia put up booths showcasing their resources. They were joined by other exhibitors from Japan, Korea, Philippines, Thailand, Laos, China, and many others.
There is one booth that I was interested much and its by an organisation called Nature Wild. Nature Wild is an enterprise and marketing support service provider initiated by the Cambodia Programme of NTFP-EP (Non-Timber Forest Products-Exchange Programme) for South and Southeast Asia. Basically, it assists its local partners that are mostly community-based NTFP (non-timber forest products) enterprises and other social enterprise initiatives. If I am not mistaken, this is the pet project of my dear friend Femy 🙂
Here is one of the products that were on display:
Lip balm from the beeswax found in the the wilds of northeast Cambodia.
Of course I had to try it so I bought one. It works just like any other lip balms I’ve used in the past. For only $2, it’s not bad. They also have food products such as wild honey and vinegar. All products are made from Cambodian wild materials/resources, community grown and with environment-friendly packaging. And yes, I am promoting these products!
To know more about Nature Wild and its work in Cambodia, please click here.
APAD 230: Areca nuts
A bunch of ripe areca nuts from Kampong Speu province.
Chewing {tobaco, betel leaves and areca nuts} is an age-old tradition in Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands. When I was younger, growing up in the Philippines, I watched with utmost fascination how my grandfather and grandmother assemble the “ingredients” of their favourite pastime and how their mouths magically turned red as they chewed. Some people, especially the Westerners, find this unhygienic, ugly and unpleasant. But chewing or betel-chewing is very much part of our culture.
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APAD 226: Hot dog?
This is one of the signs that tell you that the Cambodian-Vietnamese border is close by. My husband initially thought this shack was selling hotdogs, lol.
I read the Khmer script on top of the Vietnamese writing (I studied how to read and write long ago but can only read simple words, like the ones written on the sign). The Khmer translation for the Vietnamese phrase “hot toc” is “kak sok”, meaning, hair cut.
APAD 225: Overloaded
How much can a truck hold?
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APAD 224: Cambodian border crossing in Bavet
Here is the Cambodian immigration office at the border in Bavet.
The central building is the main immigration office and it showcases the classical Khmer style of architecture. I’ve been here three times previously to go to Vietnam – the last one being in 2003. I was really surprised to see the huge change when I came here two weeks ago. From the muddy field and tiny shack that used to be where immigration formalities are done, it is now a sprawling area with several booths for border-crossers to have their passports stamped and this fantastic building where the Cambodian immigration officers work.
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