In Cambodia's north, the labyrinthine temple complex of Angkor Wat evokes the power of bygone leaders who built testaments to their religion. In the south, monuments of those with more recent losses prevail.
Sleek skeletons of homes, moulded in geometric concrete in the style of Le Corbusier, adorn the lush hillsides of the seaside town of Kep. Inside, they are inhabited only by riotous sea-green mould and graffiti observing that "the best of life is under."
Before the Khmer Rouge, Kep was the holiday refuge of Cambodia's elite. After the end of the genocide and even into the mid-1990s, it served as a hideaway for the last Khmer Rouge guerrillas.
But today Kep is transforming to a more modern place where eco-tourism and social programmes cater to international travellers. Think the Maldives, minus the luxury.
Some developers have taken advantage of the old homes to turn them into high-end boutique hotels that go for about US$200 (Dh734) a night, such as Knai Bang Chatt with its gorgeous but hectic dockside restaurant. We stayed down the road - everything in Kep, arranged along a two-lane street, is at most a 10-minute drive - at Botanica, which offers an experience reminiscent of how life might be in a French-Cambodian hippie commune.
Seafood is the crown jewel of Kep. In the traditional preparation, sugar-sweet crabs are fried with onions and twigs of fresh green peppercorns, a local speciality.
The other star dish, the fish amok, combines the flavours of a Thai curry with the richness of a soufflé. Bay leaves add just enough masculinity to balance the milky coconut, and the fish is so tender it flakes apart at the touch of a chopstick. In this changing town, some traditions should be kept intact.
ayee@thenational.ae
Other workplace saving schemes
- The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
- Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
- National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
- In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
- Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
Director: Laxman Utekar
Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna
Rating: 1/5
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
THE BIO
Favourite car: Koenigsegg Agera RS or Renault Trezor concept car.
Favourite book: I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes or Red Notice by Bill Browder.
Biggest inspiration: My husband Nik. He really got me through a lot with his positivity.
Favourite holiday destination: Being at home in Australia, as I travel all over the world for work. It’s great to just hang out with my husband and family.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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RESULTS
Main card
Bantamweight 56.4kg: Mehdi Eljamari (MAR) beat Abrorbek Madiminbekov (UZB), Split points decision
Super heavyweight 94 kg: Adnan Mohammad (IRN) beat Mohammed Ajaraam (MAR), Split points decision
Lightweight 60kg: Zakaria Eljamari (UAE) beat Faridoon Alik Zai (AFG), RSC round 3
Light heavyweight 81.4kg: Taha Marrouni (MAR) beat Mahmood Amin (EGY), Unanimous points decision
Light welterweight 64.5kg: Siyovush Gulmamadov (TJK) beat Nouredine Samir (UAE), Unanimous points decision
Light heavyweight 81.4kg: Ilyass Habibali (UAE) beat Haroun Baka (ALG), KO second round
How to avoid crypto fraud
- Use unique usernames and passwords while enabling multi-factor authentication.
- Use an offline private key, a physical device that requires manual activation, whenever you access your wallet.
- Avoid suspicious social media ads promoting fraudulent schemes.
- Only invest in crypto projects that you fully understand.
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The five new places of worship
Church of South Indian Parish
St Andrew's Church Mussaffah branch
St Andrew's Church Al Ain branch
St John's Baptist Church, Ruwais
Church of the Virgin Mary and St Paul the Apostle, Ruwais
What is a calorie?
A food calorie, or kilocalorie, is a measure of nutritional energy generated from what is consumed.
One calorie, is the amount of heat needed to raise the temperature of 1 kilogram of water by 1°C.
A kilocalorie represents a 1,000 true calories of energy.
Energy density figures are often quoted as calories per serving, with one gram of fat in food containing nine calories, and a gram of protein or carbohydrate providing about four.
Alcohol contains about seven calories a gram.
