Friday, May 30, 2008

Anniversary

Hey, it's my blog anniversary this month. I've been blogging for two whole years now and 1,120 posts later I'm still going strong - well that's debatable. It all went belly-up a couple of months ago when my original blog was hijacked and stolen - the thief still hasn't wiped off my old posts - but the guys from House 32 came to my rescue and all my posts can be found on this new blog, under the month of posting. I've covered a variety of topics, and always try, where possible, to give a positive slant to my view on Cambodia. That isn't going to change. If you want to hear all the bad news, I suggest you go somewhere else. Oh, and if you want me to feature something that I haven't blogged about so far, I'm open to (sensible) requests. Keep reading...

8 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Happy birthday! Congratulations for yr brilliant blog. Just to mark the date, I wd suggest u to write about:
1. what have u gained, and lost, writing online;
2. feedback from your readers; overall, positive or negative? an overview wd be interesting for readers and for yourself.
Congratulations again and cheers, from Sarin

May 30, 2008 8:57 PM  
Blogger regina.gennari said...

Andy: Congrats! I found your blog a few months ago, and it has been a valuable resource to me. I will be in Cambodia this summer, working in an orphanage in Phnom Penh, so I have been trying to gather all the information I can. Your pictures are beautiful, and have served to make me even more excited about my trip! Thanks and congratulations on two years! Regina, whycambodia.blogspot.com

May 30, 2008 9:10 PM  
Blogger Andy Brouwer said...

hey Sarin, thanks for the comments and best wishes.
in compiling my blog (for 2 years) and my website (for 9 years) I have gained much in terms of friendships across the globe, considerable networking particularly in the wide community that has links of various kinds with Cambodia (from authors, to poets to musicians, to actors to politicians to you name it) and a far greater depth of knowledge about Cambodia than I would ever have thought possible. It has been life-changing, life-enhancing and I don't regret a minute.

feedback, particularly about the website, has been incredible and at times, overwhelming in its positivity and plaudits. I had one of the earliest websites documenting travels in Cambodia and that helped of course but I hope my love and affection for the country shone through in my writings. negative feedback can be counted on one hand.
specific 'gains' have been that I have written articles for travel magazines, I'm in the middle of writing a guidebook on Cambodia, I've advised television producers and Hollywood reps about filming in the country, organised 3 very successful Cambodia Days in the UK that highlighted the positives that Cambodia has to offer and raised money for good causes, and so on. The list is endless and its one I'm very proud of. I'm also very chuffed that I've been able to help my Cambodian friends by directing visitors to them to use their services, either their hotels, their guiding or motorbike services and so on.
In addition, I'm very proud to have shone a positive light on Cambodia when much was negative and derogatory and to have persuaded others there is a lot more to Cambodia if only they look past the headlines.
Regards,
Andy

May 30, 2008 11:25 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! and a suggestion: one basics is missing in your blog: FOOD!!! I've heard say you don't like fish - can't believe... if you are living in Cambodia. Khmer cuisine is delicious, as I had the opportunity of tasting it in Siem Reap. Show us their plates, man!
CONGRATS again, from Mira

June 1, 2008 6:22 AM  
Blogger Andy Brouwer said...

Thanks Mira and yes you are absolutely right that food doesn't appear in my blog.
maybe I don't eat!
i'm not really into talking about food, I have posted a few stories in the press about the food of Cambodia but for myself, i'm not an expert on the stuff. I eat it and move on. i also don't drink anything other than soft drinks or water so can't talk about Drink either!
sorry but i'm going to have to let you down on that score.
for now anyway....
Andy

June 1, 2008 8:43 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Not only this, Mira - eating and drinking. On reading the blog of this true-to-form Khmer Rosy (he is about to be decorated by Hun Sen, you knew this?), you would think Phnom Penh at night is a hollow parenthesis, just as soulless, if it ever exists - when its nothing of the sort. But its a different night, a different age...

June 1, 2008 12:11 PM  
Blogger Andy Brouwer said...

ah anon...hopefully I'm well wide of Hun Sen's radar...
as for PP's nightime activities, as a non-drinker I rarely frequent drinking establishments, so will not report from any of those anytime soon, and as I already mentioned, I don't have much enthusiasm for talking about food either (I leave that for other foodie experts and mags like Asia Life).
Aside from a regular visit for my Rising Sun pub grub fix, I don't much venture out to the riverside/Sisowath Quay area and avoid the Elsewhere monthly at all costs. Simply doesn't interest me. Much of my free time is spent with Khmers rather than foreigners, so that puts the mockers on telling you things that would interest westerners.
Andy

June 1, 2008 2:18 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi, Andy
definitely, I don't think you should bother replying comments like these posted by the anon above. How rude! Obviously, this guy is trying to provoke and tease you. Why??? Tis that sort of comment that threats turning the blog community into a dump site, one more.
Don't let yourself down.
Regards,
Cora Lewis

June 3, 2008 9:13 AM  

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