Cambodia is a fantastic country, and more importantly Cambodians are extremely nice people. I was  amazed how locals were friendly, sociable, and kind, considering their recent country history. I stayed in Cambodia for a week, went through three majors cities; all together it was a cultural, adventurous, and discovering trip. I’ve done things like boat trip in the river, eating exotic food (like really exotic), learning more about the genocide, and of course visiting the famous temples among others things.

I will share my experience with several articles for each city, when the experience itself is too big it will have its own article. Let’s start with where I landed from Singapore, Phnom Penh, capital of Cambodia.

I took the daily Singapore – Phnom Penh flight departing at 7:20am so when I landed and reach the hotel I was pretty exhausted. After a long nap, I went outside exploring Phnom Penh.

In Phnom Penh, scooters, motorbikes, and of courses tuk tuk are very popular; you’ll see them everywhere. Then, you need to add cars, trucks, and of course pedestrians. All together you get one of the craziest traffic I ever seen (trust me I have seen crazy traffic before).

That being said you can walk and I did walk eventually.

However when visiting Cambodia in March with a temperature above 30°C+, humidity above 70%, moving around the city is easier with a tuk tuk. You can hire a tuk tuk for the day ($20 to $25) or half day ($12 to $15). I hired one for $15 half day; the driver name was Bun Thoeun. A ride in a tuk tuk is pretty relaxing, roads are sometimes bumpy but in all it is a pretty good experience. You can always ask the tuk tuk driver to stop at any time should you want to take a picture, or try food on the street or anything.

I ask the driver to bring me to a shoe shop (I’ve heard it is very easy to make your own shoes in Phnom Penh). I found several stores, but it takes about 10 to 15 days to have the final product – I did not have that time so I left the shop for my first touristic spot in Phnom Penh.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I went to Tuol Tom Pong Market aka the Russian Market. There is nothing unique about this market except you can find any handicrafts products, or anything for that matter (fruits, vegetables, arts, anything). If you like these things, then you will enjoy the market. Nearby there are plenty of tailor shops, it is always nice to get a customized shirt for a few bucks.

When you are done with the Russian Market or the tailoring, stop by Peace Handicrafts. It is a store that sells handicrafts products made by landmine victims, disabled persons and the deaf. Not only I think it is a positive thing, but their products are very nice.

My next stop was at a museum, but not any museum, the S21 Prison also known as the Tuong Slem Genocide Museum. The name speaks for itself; it is not fun, but you get to learn more about Cambodia pass including the Civil war, the genocide, and the Khmers Rouges. The museum focus on the genocide, so expect tough images, horrible stories; they also show you the rooms where prisoners were tortured and how they were killed. It is not a fun visit, but if you have few days in Phnom Penh it is a must-see.

After the museum, I went straight home by tuk tuk; on my way I took some pictures of the city and its people.

Tomorrow post will be about my 2nd day in the city; expect food, cultural things, and others must see in of Phnom Penh city.