At Little Hearts Organization, Phnom Penh Unplugged has become a tradition. It is a special way we welcome visitors, especially those experiencing Cambodia for the first time. Instead of simply showing the city, we invite them to feel it, to connect with it, and to understand it through real experiences, meaningful interactions, and shared moments. Its last edition, which took place in October of last year and was dubbed the Great Khmer Quest, was a huge success.
Recently, we welcomed four friends and supporters from Belgium, including Tony’s cousin, Bart, who has been a monthly sponsor of Little Hearts from the very beginning, as well as his wife, Tine, his son, Romeo, and the latter’s partner, Eline. It was a heartfelt reunion, made extra special by our long-time connection to this family, who, despite never having been to Cambodia, have been an integral part of Little Hearts for many years.
At Little Hearts, the visitors were treated to a tour of the facility, a game of football, a sumptuous fish amok for dinner, and stage performances by many of the kids. The next day, it was time for their full-on dive into Cambodian culture through the much-anticipated new round of Phnom Penh Unplugged.
We made the experience into an engaging team exercise by creating three teams of mixed cultures and ages, with the visitors spread out across the teams, as follows:
- the Master Blasters, led by Micky, with Jeff, Dina, Naomi, Ennio, and visitors Romeo and Eline;
- the Wise Monkeys, led by Daleine, with Vandeth, Sammy, Chrissy, and Jules, with Bart as the Belgian representative;
- the Mighty Midgets, led by Dalin, with Bunrath, Lisa, Jamie, and Maya, with Tine as the foreign ace.
Supporting the entire journey were Tony, our staff, and the university students, who all served as Marshalls. They guided the teams at every stop, facilitated the activities, shared stories, and made sure everything ran smoothly, while also creating a fun and encouraging environment for everyone involved.
From the very beginning, the energy was palpable. The adventure started by the riverside, where Phnom Penh comes alive, and from there, each team set off on a journey across the city. Laughter, teamwork, and a bit of friendly competition quickly took over. Along the way, teams solved challenges, discovered stories behind iconic locations, and stepped out of their comfort zones, whether it was speaking Khmer to buy water, folding lotus flowers at the Royal Palace, visiting a fortune teller, or navigating the city by tuk tuk and cyclo.
One of the most unforgettable moments came at the Central Market, where everyone was challenged to try balut, a local delicacy that can be quite intimidating for first-timers – it consists of a boiled duck egg that contains a partly developed embryo!
The winners of the competition were the Master Blasters (Red Team). They didn’t miss a single task throughout the day, and what truly set them apart was their courage and team spirit. They were the only team in which every single member ate the balut, including their intrepid visitors, Romeo and Eline. That moment was the ultimate tie-breaker, and a memory no one will forget!
As the journey continued, teams explored the legend of Wat Phnom while riding a cyclo, one of Cambodia’s most traditional forms of transportation. For the rest of the race, they traveled between locations using tuk-tuks, moving through the city like locals. They then reflected on Cambodia’s rich heritage at the National Museum, and finally came together at Wat Langka for a peaceful closing. There, a Buddhist monk welcomed everyone for a blessing and meditation session, bringing calm and reflection after a day full of energy and discovery.
Phnom Penh Unplugged is not just an activity; it’s our way of sharing Cambodia from the heart. It has become a tradition that reflects who we are at Little Hearts by building connections, creating meaningful experiences, and welcoming every visitor as part of our story.
“Thanks to Tony and all the children and the staff of Little Hearts for this beautiful and unforgettable adventure,” said Bart before leaving. “The hectic pace of Phnom Penh was not noticeable thanks to the impeccable organization and the drive of everybody to give us the best experience. We really appreciated it and learned so much about Cambodia!”
We, in turn, thank our friends from Belgium for continuing to support Little Hearts. Your presence, support, and openness to experience Cambodia in such a genuine way mean more than words can express.