August 8, 2009 Time is flying! Faster than our contractors are completing our project. Things are going good however. The place is looking nice and it will be just as comfortable as the last place. Still a lot of loose ends to tie up, but the rooms and the lobby are coming along nicely. I am hoping to atleast get the bar up and running early September. It might be mid September before we get a few guinea pigs to find the problems in the rooms!!!!! Again I will send out an email announcing the opening and thanks to all who have been patient.
click here for the following pics
http://www.cafecaliforniaphnompenh.com/images/lobby1.jpg
http://www.cafecaliforniaphnompenh.com/images/lobby2.jpg
http://www.cafecaliforniaphnompenh.com/images/room1.jpg
February 20, 2009 Where does the time fly?? Well let's keep things on a time line. The Halloween party at Sharky was a success. I had dumped the gear that I had purchased in Pattaya and Korat (and hauled around the counrty) on the pool table one night to show the staff. I was amazed at their enthusiasm. I thought I would have to designate who would wear the two spiderman and two batman outfits, but they were fighting over the costumes. During the party I had a guy wanting to buy the costumes off of the girls. He got annoying when there wouldn't be a sale. There were plenty of vampirellas, few soldiers, and some soccer players among the staff as well.
The Mekong Pirates put on a great show and played for a full house. The crowd was lively and I think this first Halloween gig will be a permanent party on the annual calendar.
I had'nt missed the Hotel until November. When the fireworks went off to signal the start of the tourist season and the waterfestival, I wasn't on the riverfront. I could hear them from the bar, and one night I watched from the rooftop of my apartment. The boat we supported didn't come to town this year due to boat repairs. I did make it to the riverfront one night of the festival. I had a couple of drinks with Ponlok, my former neighbor and sat out front of the hotel with Srey Men. It wasnt the same. The mess of a construction project on the riverfront was a muddy mess, but the city did make an effort to bring down the walls for the influx of people from the countryside. 2010 is supposed to be the complete date for the project. I hope so.
Al put on a great Thanksgiving dinner at Sharky. About 40 people turned up for the event. Greg and Srey Leah also had an afternoon feed at Lone Star.
Greg and Leah have been doing a pretty good job keeping plenty of the Cali 2 regulars occuppied. Greg had also made a great effort to provide the local Americans with NFL football. Akea has moved on and is now working at the Freebird Bar and Restaurant.
We have created a blog at Sharky and it will be easier for me to have more up to date information.
October 20th 2008 Long overdue update. I just got back from a long overdue ride. Up coming story in the November issue of the Bayon Pearnik. Look for it. http://www.bayonpearnik.com Things are coming along at Sharky. Just cleaned up the entry a little. Andy returned from the states and I was with out shifts. I had time off and took off to Pattaya on my motorbike with a friend of mine Murray who runs Harley Tours Cambodia. We did one night in Koh Kong. Despite rain much of the way there, the bridges are complete and the road is good. 4.5 hours. I did seven nights in Pattaya catching up with friends, but had to break out. I drove up to Korat and explored temples in the countryside. I spent 4 nights and really enjoyed Korat. Still left some things un seen for the return trip. From there I went to a couple of temples in Buriram Province on the way to Surin, where I spent another six nights. Had a great time relaxing, seeing temples in the countryside and hitting the night life. From Surin I crossed back into Cambodia from the north and spent one night in Siem Reap before returning to Phnom Penh. I have pictures posted in the entry way at Sharky's and now have created an Issan Page on this website so that your can get and idea of the wonders that are on the Thai side of the border. Sharky's is gearing up for Al and Mao's engagement party on the 24th, our first Halloween gig, and The Angkor 10's and Old Boys Rugby early in November. Srey Leah got married to Greg as I had mentioned, and Now they have opened LONE STAR SALOON on Street 172 between Street 51 and Norodom. They are filling the California 2 day time void. Not having rooms Greg is able to focus on some American sports and has a good menu. Keeping the California 2 tradition, he is offering cheap beer! Sorry for the delay and more updates soon.
July 13, 2008 Srey Leah and Greg got married at her house just outside of Takmau. click here for "Full Circle" wedding page.
Jim
