Yes we eat them all

Before you continue reading this post, I just want to let you know that people in Phnom Penh are not bizarre lol. It's just the fact that we have found new types of food and to some people, they're the best food. Perhaps there are many types of exotic food around the world, but exotic food in Phnom Penh is perhaps a food you can never imagine. To me as a local resident, I sometimes find it strange. I've tried only some and the rest is just out of my imagination.

Let me introduce some of the most exotic food you can find in Phnom Penh. Below is fried crickets. They're very famous among local people and perhaps the most popular exotic food. I've never tried them because I think I will feel uncomfortable once they're in my mouth lol. Anyway, you can find fried crickets in many local markets. Local people like to eat them as a late afternoon snack. Have a try when you visit Phnom Penh. It's gonna be a great experience :D

Below is the most scary food ever to me. Fried Spiders. I'd never imagine that people eat spiders!!! but they really do!!! Fried spiders are not as quite popular as fried crickets because they look a bit scary. However, some really like them. They can also be found in many local markets and they are sold along with fried crickets. I've never tried fried spiders either and I'll never ever eat them lol. But you can try for the best experience in life with this food. 

But for these, I do have tried. They taste fantastic. Steamed snails. They're more like street food and you can find them on many streets. They're really good for late afternoon snacks. The taste of hot steamed snails with a special spicy vinegar, it's just amazing!!! I'm sure you'll love them :D

Gang Nam Style Phnom Penh

GANG NAM STYLE!!!

I found this video on facebook shared by a friend with an interesting title - Gang Nam Style Phnom Penh Kids. So I decided to watch and guess what it's amazing. I'm very inspired about the talents of these young cute kids and to some extent, the video is funny too. Let's watch it first...

These kids are amongst thousands others in Phnom Penh who needs support. Some are orphanages and others have parents who cannot afford their education. The poor and the rich are mixed and there is a large gaps in living standard in the city. The future of these kids rely mainly on the support of NGOs working with children and street kids that provide them shelters, food and educational paths. One NGO that I used to volunteer in is A New Day Cambodia that works with young scavengers in the suburb of the city. The NGO does not only provide support to these individual kids but also their family by providing some subsidies so that these children can have full time education without having to help earn income for the family.

There are NGOs working to support poor kids like the one in the video who needs your donations. Your small donations could completely change the future of these kids.

New bird species found in Phnom Penh

Whole text from the Guardian

A previously unknown species of bird has been found hiding in plain sight after scientists photographed what was thought to be more abundant species at a construction site on the outskirts of Phnom Penh, Cambodia's capitol and largest city. Subsequent analysis revealed the species to be distinct.

Known as the Cambodian tailorbird (Orthotomus chaktomuk), the new bird is one of only two species endemic to Cambodia, according to theWildlife Conservation Society (WCS), the group whose researcher Ashish John snapped the first pictures of the bird.

"The modern discovery of an undescribed bird species within the limits of a large populous city — not to mention 30 minutes from my home — is extraordinary," said Simon Mahood, a WCS scientist who described the species — together with researchers from WCS, BirdLife International, the University of Kansas, Louisiana State University, and the Sam Veasna Centre — in a special online early-view issue of the Oriental Bird Club's journal Forktail. "The discovery indicates that new species of birds may still be found in familiar and unexpected locations."

Despite living on the edge of an urban area, the Cambodian tailorbird escaped detection due to its dense scrub habitat.

The authors say the species is under threat due to declining habitat from agricultural and urban expansion. They recommend classifying it as "Near Threatened" under the IUCN's Red List.

"Most newly discovered bird species in recent years have proved to be threatened with extinction or of conservation concern, highlighting the crisis facing the planet's biodiversity," said co-author Jonathan C. Eames of BirdLife International in a statement.