Us at Phnom Penh Pochentong International Airport

Yes, you read it correctly. Karen and I are in Cambodia.

Karen is doing her Independent Study Module (ISM) this semester and her chosen topic is on the growing NGO bubble in Cambodia. Unfortunately, there was insufficient information in NUS Central Library. But Karen went ahead and wrote her first draft with the available information she had. As expected, her supervisor gave her feedback that she can either (a) change her title to one just about NGOs in general or (b) find more information about NGOs in Cambodia. As it happens, there is actually a NGO resource library in Cambodia which documents their activities.

Needless to say, Karen decided to make a trip to Cambodia to get more information and here I am as well because I didn't think it was safe for her to travel alone. Also, as her good friend, I know that this is something she really wants to do and I should support her all the way.

Waited half and hour for our hotel pick-up. Locals started talking to us while we were waiting and when we told them we were from Singapore, they were estatic!

"You are from Singapore? Your Prime Minister came this morning! Had a talk with the Prime Minister and the King. Left just now in the afternoon. Did you see him on your way out?"

I didn't know PM Lee was on his Asean regional tour. But it was certainly a big event in Cambodia. The street lamps on the road out of the airport were lined with Singapore flags. It was as if the whole nation was welcoming him!

It was also really heartwarming to see the Singpore flag on alternate lamposts and big banners saying "Long Live the Solidarity and Friendship between Cambodia and Singapore!" hanging in the streets. The flags were displayed for the whole stretch of road from the airport to the city centre, culminating in a big placard welcoming PM Lee.

Placard Welcoming PM Lee

This visit by PM Lee is really a big thing in Cambodia. They treat it as such an important affair that they display these flags and placards welcoming him. This is what I call Cambodian hospitality. Like Karen mentioned, I cannot imagine Orchard Road lined with Cambodian flags if the Cambodian PM made a visit to Singapore.