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State Of Play on Tour - That's a wrap on Cambodia

Hello Labour Weekend! ?We are through that long winter stretch and brighter days are here. This long weekend means changing out the winter duvet, cleaning the BBQ, and making room in the fridge for summer bevvies!

We are winging our way back to NZ after a great trip to Cambodia. ?So we start this week’s newsletter with a bit of a travel blog as you relax and plan your own next adventures.

Would I recommend a trip to Cambodia?

Yes. 100% as a couple. ?With kids I’d stick to Vietnam. ?

The word I would use to describe Cambodia is ‘contrast’.

Very old or very new

Very rich or very poor

The roads are either the smoothest straightest motorways or punishment by pothole

It’s not a destination that gives itself to you easy, you need to engage with it, let it breathe. Chat to the locals, understand how it ticks. ?It’s complicated.

The Chinese investment is obvious in the infrastructure and development, equally obvious post Covid obvious they have stopped coming. ?A perfect storm for tourism here geared for the China tour industry that has not set up other streams from Europe or Americas. ?The place is quiet - we roamed around Angkor Wat alone and unobstructed - no queues, just us and one of the most incredible wonders of the world.

It sounds cliche, the people have made the difference.

In Siem Reap we stayed at Babel Guesthouse and that have a team of tuk tuk drivers that you spend time with daily and get to know. ?You share stories, learn about their struggles and what makes them so happy. ?

There are two seasons - Wet and Dry ?

We travelled at the end of the Wet season. ?A trip to the floating villages and Asia biggest Lake was awesome. ?Even got to do some driving of the boat. ?

Better yet the market we visited that morning was where we learned about the ingredients used in Cambodian cooking - all enjoyed later that night - including snails, frogs legs and catfish.

For us the timing worked well. Hot but not unbearable. ?Plenty of water around and all looking lush and plenty of water in the lake (that gets a lot smaller after 6 months of no rain!)

And then, paradise

Reading this and watching hours of YouTube will not prepare you for the total amazement of such incredible beauty you will see arriving at Pagoda Beach on Koh Rong Island. ?The most incredible place I have been to.?

Yes it’s a bit of a mission to get to. ?You have to do it.

We stayed at the Secret Garden on a recommendation from a friend that had lived in Cambodia. ?Instantly my watch was off the wrist, didn’t look at my phone for 4 days, read a book in two. ?

Ate mango like a pro, swam 10 times a day. ?Hired a scooter and toured the island and bumped into plenty of backpackers there to have a few buckets of Singapore Sling - we kindly turned down their request to join the morning boozing fun.

There are not many moments you are totally ‘off’. ?This was one. ?Ah so good.

Equally good is after 4 days you are ready to get back to what it is that you do/are.

?

Phnom Penh Like any big city? Yeah, Nah.

A quick one hour drive on the most beautiful and straight highway you will see at autobahn speeds you arrive with a jolt at the capital.

Phnom Penh doesn’t care you are here. ?

There is plenty happening and an expat community that fuels a cool nightlife and a burgeoning economy. ?We found if you want to enjoy it you need to get amongst it and be part of the experience.?

Travelling without drinking??

Old Grant had plenty of experience drinking from one country to the next.

If you are looking for a break from the booze or choose a place without the triggers then this part of the world is perfect.

It’s hot so all the drinks are designed to refresh and revitalise - the Juices and smoothies are amazing and so different to the sugar loaded fruit mix of NZ.

Yes there are ‘Pub Streets’ and these cater for all - we had plenty of fun on mocktails or coffee watching the world walk past.

Most of the booze culture travelling you see is at AKL Air New Zealand lounge or on the plane as people try and drink their way through the cost of the airfare.

What I enjoy most about booze free travel is the the mornings and the stillness of a city that is about to wake. ?The depth of flavour in all the food to enjoy and more immersion into culture than the next expensive bottle of imported Sav Blanc.

This country is changing fast, It’s easy to plan yourself and it is a lot of fun.

If you want a good deal and ok to get a few extra packs head to the State of Play website, save 10% on subscription and get free shipping.

Works out to $15.75 a six pack. It is a bigger buy for you so I pass on all the savings. Easy to click on the orange banners that take you through to the website

BIG NEWS IN GROCERY

Look out Woollies

last week I shared that there was quite the drama with the new planograms for beer across Woolworths stores Nationally.

Great News - we just leaned that the Mix Pack will be available in 150 stores nationally in addition to IPA and Nectaron Unfiltered Hazy!!!

This is big for our fastest selling SKU and even more kiwis will be able to sample full flavoured beer without alcohol

Big News in Foodstuffs (PNS/New World/4 Square)

This week stores will be able to order our new Beer! ?I am in Napier at the brewery this Thursday to taste the beer before it goes into 15,000 cans. ?I’m very excited about this launch and Foodstuffs stores have the code to order and get on shelf before the silly season kicks off and before no new products can get added to shelves. ?Beer will be shipped to stores from the 4th of November.

You will be the first to order online next Sunday!

On Tuesday we will open up pre-orders for the new beer and do the full reveal and tasting notes next Sunday.?

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Why reviews matter.? If you have a minute it would be great to hear from you

Here is the link to the review tab for? Nectaron Pale Ale

Here is the link to review Sunbreaker Ale

Here is the link to the review tab for IPA

And if you have a cool photo you can post on one of your favourite social channels and tag @stateofplaybeer? #stateofplaybeer If you want to contact State of Play flick me a note [email protected]

TOGETHER WE ARE BREWING A REBELLION!