Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
learn more about traditional techniques. Tucked down a side road, the school is well sign-
posted from Sivatha St.
There's also a second shop opposite Angkor Wat in the Angkor Cafe building, and out-
lets at Phnom Penh and Siem Reap international airports. Some profits from sales go back
into funding the school and bringing more teenagers into the training program, although
the majority shareholder (50%) is now Société Concessionaire d'Aeroport (SCA), a
privately owned, French-run airport-management company.
Les Chantiers Écoles also maintains a
silk farm
( 7.30am-5.30pm)
, which produces some
of the best work in the country, including clothing, interior-design products and accessor-
ies. All stages of the production process can be seen here, from the cultivation of mulberry
trees through the nurturing of silk worms to the dyeing and weaving of silk. Free tours are
available daily between 7am and 5pm and there is a free shuttle bus departing from Les
Chantiers Écoles at 9.30am and 1.30pm. The farm is about 16km west of Siem Reap, just
off the road to Sisophon in the village of Puok.
Khmer Ceramics Centre
ARTS CENTRE
( 017 843014;
www.khmerceramics.com
; Charles de Gaulle Blvd; 8am-7.30pm)
Located on
the road to the temples, this ceramics centre is dedicated to reviving the Khmer tradition
of pottery, which was an intricate art during the time of Angkor. It's possible to visit and
try your hand at the potter's wheel, and courses in traditional techniques are available
from US$15 to US$25.
Shadow Puppets
The creation of leather
sbei tuoi
(shadow puppets) is a traditional Khmer art form, and the
figures make a memorable souvenir. Characters include gods and demons from the
Reamker,
as well as exquisite elephants with intricate armour. These are a very Cambodi-
an keepsake.
way to the airport, makes these puppets; small pieces start at US$15, while larger ones can
be as much as US$150. A second workshop is located at Wat Preah Inkosei. It's possible
to watch a shadow-puppet show at La Noria Restaurant (
Click here
)
.
SHADOW PUPPETS
Miniature Replicas
of Angkor's Temples
MINIATURES
