Guest Blog – See You in Cambodia!
When I received the following letter from my Australian friend Verona, I knew that I must post it on my blog! It’s not every day that a friend writes with the title, “See You in Cambodia” in the subject line. Verona and her darling husband Douglas are adventurers-at-heart and though I’ve only known them a short time I’m certain Vee is my soul mate! Sometimes ones paths need only cross for a few brief months in order to be friends for life! Verona is living my dream – abandoning reality as she knows it and opening a hotel in a far away exotic locale! Someday I hope to follow in her footsteps (opening my own B&B;) but in the meantime, I plan to live vicariously through Verona and her husband’s wanderings! I hope that Vee will take time out in the coming months to keep Antiques Diva Readers updated on her wonderful divalicious journey! Verona and Douglas, best wishes for mountains of success to rain on you and congratulations on this exciting move! We’re with you all the way!
Much Love,
The Antiques Diva™
Dear Antiques Diva,
It’s not every day you buy a hotel in a tropical paradise. And although I’m still pinching myself in disbelief, that’s exactly what my husband and I have done. After years of moving around the world with the corporate giant, this next move is our own making. After being located in South East Asia for a time, we decided that was where, one day, we would retire. So when out of the blue the opportunity to purchase a small hotel on the South West coast of Cambodia presented itself my husband and I threw caution to the wind and signed on the dotted line.
We have bought a 19 room boutique hotel with bar, alfresco dining terrace and rooftop Jacuzzi pool due to open December this year – how cool is that? It’s in Sihanoukville, formally called Kampong Som, and right by Orhheuteal Beach with pristine white sand spanning for miles and gentle rolling waves protected by the sheltered Thailand Gulf. Every evening is blessed with a perfect sunset enjoyed with something cool and refreshing in our hands while sampling freshly caught seafood grilled in the sand before us.
Of course, this idyllic dream may fade some when the reality of running a hotel kicks in; trying to placate guests, running out of ice, power cuts and air conditioner break-downs and training staff who can barely speak English, but we’re confident we’ll take it all in our stride and soldier on! Although there are a number of hotels in Sihanoukville already they are mainly backpacker huts or expensive 5 star resorts, so our moderately priced 4 star pad with the best managers in town will be a nice addition!
So I say goodbye to my good friends in Holland and wish you well in your own dreams and maybe we’ll meet up on a sandy beach one day in a small place called Sihanoukville.
All the best,
Verona
Proprietor, Coolabah Hotel
Why did my Aussie friend call her hotel The Coolabah Hotel? After the line in “Waltzing Matilda”, of course! The unofficial Australian national anthem sings,
“Once a jolly swagman camped by a billabong
Under the shade of a Coolabah Tree….”
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The Openness Fresh Interior Decoration
This is an interior decoration and arrangement of a massive building, leading to furniture shop in Cambodia construction materials
stated.
According to the architects, “a single shed roof cantilevers over this space, evoking a sense of protection and blurring the distinction between interior and exterior.
The material selections and construction methods emphasize economy, low maintenance, and energy conservation.
Slab-on-grade construction is used for the interior flooring and adjacent terraces, simplifying construction and minimizing the use of raw materials.
Corrugated metal siding and locally-sourced ground face concrete block (used in the interior spaces as well as the exterior) are durable, economical and true to the cabin aesthetic.
Site disturbance is strictly localized, allowing for only minor construction grading that follows the natural contours of the site and preserves natural vegetation.
The concrete block walls and floor also serve as a thermal mass, regulating the interior temperature by storing daytime heat and releasing it at night”.
The Functional of iPhone 6 Plus
After Apple released its new model, iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, it is time for Apple customer have a hard decision about their choice, leading to web design in Cambodia,
digital marketing agency
reported.
By this way, iPhone 6 is already larger than the previous iPhone, but there is also iPhone 6 Plus comes together.
Here are the special point of iPhone 6 Plus; it has 5.5-inch screen is larger than iPhone 6 is only 4.7-inch screen.
One more thing is about its function; it has been named the “iPhone 6 Very Busy Person Edition”, because it is a workhorse with its larger battery that is suitable for who get through email and other busywork.
The Interior Design Office
Here is the office is created with beautiful interior design, according to furniture shop in Cambodia
construction materials said.
By this way the interior designs with an eclectic blend of materials, furnishing and colors as light oak and accents of bright colors are utilized to signify different from across experience with a lot of open spaces, exposed ceilings, movement, and natural light to inspire creativity and dynamic thinking among staff.
One more thing there are distingue of pervades through the interiors at the reception, dynamic strip of light-oak timber etched out from the floor to simulate a larger-than-life bird cage.
Indeed the special purpose of the office is taking into natural light for all staff with workplace planned near the windows and resources areas at the central core to facilitate work.
Lovely story. I’m glad you called by, I really enjoyed reading my way into your blog.
Lisa,
I couldn’t agree with you more! Wouldn’t it be great fun decorating a hotel?!
Cheers!
The Diva
What a wonderful adventure and in such a beautiful locale. Best wishes to your friend.
**sidenote: I would also love to run a B&B.; I think the most appealing part for me would be designing the rooms with wonderful fabrics and antiques.
Blessings
Lisa
Thanks for your comments Phivos, Contessa and Kelli! Sorry I’ve been “out of pocket” – I just returned home this morning from a wonderful month in the USA and am a little behind on responding to comments! Apologies!
John, thanks so much for stopping by and I can’t wait to check out your blog… I’m dying to go to Bali! It’s on my “must do” list!
Lastly, Dear Anonymous who heard through the grapevine that I am moving — it’s all true! I move to Berlin on Jan 27th and though I’m sad to leave Holland I can’t wait for the next adventure to begin. I’ll maintain my tour service in Holland, Belgium and France – and will be expanding with a new tour company in Berlin this Spring/Summer! As for the blog, I’ll continue to write it as I have and will add it stories of more adventure.
All my best,
The Antiques Diva
Very nice blog.
Great pictures.
Please visit:
http://bali-worldresorts.blogspot.com
Keep blogging.
Don’t forget to promote your blog.
Good luck.
I heard Diva that you are also leaving Holland. Is this true? Where are you going?
How awesome is this! Congrats and best wishes. This Contessa always dreamed of owning a B & B but never had the chuzpah to do it. I'm very jealous. Show then all how it's done!
All the very best and every success to your friends Diva!