As champagne and hors d’ouvre were being served, I stared at Savann Thav’s painting, ‘Flower Power Dyptique’, an acrylic on canvas, beautifully displayed at Sofitel Phnom Penh Phokeethra.

Suffice to say that if your pancreas starts to fail, you will probably not be able to enjoy your favorite meal the same way again.

One year ago, a group of expats, also martial art enthusiasts, formed a group to practice Sambo, a martial art and combat sport from the former Soviet Union under the instruction of a Russian master.

If you enjoy a good laugh, Phnom Penh is the place to be. The comedy scene in the Kingdom is rife with talented troupes putting on shows almost every other night, in exchange for a few dollars which eventually will be donated to charity groups.

Mark Jefferson Huang (aka Jeff) believes that being an artist is not limited to those born with special aptitude or having spent years in art school.

One of those less well-known works is the original Pasteur Institute situated in a low-lying plain of Chroy Chongva peninsula.

“Beyond exploration, travelling enhances our understanding of the world, other cultures and ways of life, and helps us become better global citizens,” says American travel editor Veronica Stoddart.

The 72nd Cannes Film Festival boasts big-name directors from Quentin Tarantino to Pedro Almodovar – plus plenty of fresh faces. Running May 14-25.

On Friday night for acoustics you have Ernie Buck at Botanico and Rob Narciso at LF Garden, Pavel Ramirez performs zargzloopz at Farm to Table, for a more jazz feel there’s Cecile Dahome Quartet at Alchemy.