Getting the low-down

RV La Marguerite in dock

Got up early doors this morning to get along to the Old Stadium to interview Cambodia's national football coach Scott O'Donell ahead of the Under-23 international against Singapore U-23s this coming Sunday. It'll be the team's first real test under O'Donell's leadership after he returned for a 2nd stint in charge in June. The preparations for the SEA Games in Laos in December begin in earnest with the Singapore friendly match and I'll go again tomorrow morning to get some photos of the 25-man squad. Scott is extremely approachable and a pleasure to interview. My match preview should appear in the Phnom Penh Post tomorrow morning. I'll post the full interview with Scott here tomorrow as well.

I also paid a visit to one of the brand new cruise ships that are plying the route between Saigon and Siem Reap via Phnom Penh. RV La Marguerite is on its maiden voyage just now and docked in the capital earlier today. That gave me an opportunity for a nose around after lunch and its pretty swish. It can accommodate just under 100 passengers in its 40-0dd rooms, has a big restaurant, large bar area, a whirlpool on deck and other amenities. The cruise takes up to 8 days/7 nights between Saigon and Siem Reap with lots of stops en route. Another new boat, The Jayavarman, should be in town next month too.

The RV La Marguerite and a local boat vie for docking space

One of the state cabins on the La Marguerite

This renovated former French colonial building will soon be selling Kentucky Fried Chicken