Beat the heat! The hot season is upon us, and cooling off is a high priority for

everybody. Unfortunately, there are no public swimming pools in Siem Reap, but many

of the luxury hotels allow non-guests to use their swimming pools and gyms for an

average of $5 per day. Borei Angkor Hotel, near Psar Leu, is the best value at $3.

Towels and cold water are generally provided. Monthly membership is $35.

** The Western Baray is one of the largest, free "swimming holes" in the

world. Many Cambodians and a few Westerners make the half-hour journey west on National

Highway 6 from Siem Reap to the man-made reservoir, where they hire inner tubes in

which to float or find hammocks by the water's edge in which to swing. Part of the

famous Angor Wat park, the Western Baray is one of two rectangular reservoirs created

by Angkorians nearly one thousand years ago. Take a couple of salads and purchase

a delicious, whole BBQ chicken or catfish from the stalls there.

** Turn your radio dials to 97.5 FM and catch the only English-language station in

Siem Reap, one with cool tunes and witty banter by a mixture of ex-pats and Cambodian

DJs. Resident DJ "Monkey" describes the station as "a chance for Khmers

to improve their listening skills in an exciting and unique way, and personally,

for me, it has been great to see the station grow and play a part in that."

Catch DJ "Monkey" and DJ "OC" for their daily Chitchat Show,

from 12.30 p.m. to 2 p.m. weekdays.

** Angkor Market on Sivatha Road has a wide variety of foreign foods and wines and

is the best supermarket in Siem Reap to find those culinary items you miss from home.

The shelves are stocked with cheeses, breakfast cereals, spices, yoghurts, pastas,

breads and frozen goods. The temperature is generally set to "antarctic",

so it is also not a bad place to escape the heat. Open everyday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

** Construction is underway on the new Siem Reap Police Station on Airport Road and

relocation will take place before the end of the year.

** Rumor has it that the construction next to the Blue Pumpkin will result in a new

nightclub.

Slices of Siem Reap is a regular column that aims to provide information on happenings

and what to do in the Siem Reap area. If you have something to add, email Michael

Hayes at: [email protected]