A trip to Phnom Penh, Cambodia

When i told my friends and colleagues that im going to Cambodia, first question they will ask. "Going there for missionary/volunteering?" When i said "No!", next question is "What can you do in Cambodia?" Well, its really beats me because to me, Cambodia is a "close" or under developing countries which we do not know much about them. If you are going Phnom Penh, you may want to consider the following itinerary.

Got up at 4.30am on Friday morning as my flight was 6.50am. Had my breakfast at Macdonald's and board the flight. after 2 hours of flight, i arrived at Phnom Penh international airport at 8am (GMT 7hrs). The driver was waiting to pick us up and took us to the hotel. I stayed at Frangipani hotel at street 178. Superb location with very basic accomodation. We managed to check in at 8.30am and went straight to bed and woke up at 11am. went for lunch at FCC (must go), then booked the day tour from the hotel at US$35/trip to Killing Fields and S21 prison where there was civil war broke our in Cambodia in 1975. The killing fields entrance fee includes an audio guide which allows me to understand more about the place. After the tour, we went back to hotel again and showered and off for dinner. Took tuk tuk to Phnom Penh night market for shopping to end the evening.



Killing Fields

S21 Prison

The cell

Khmer Dinner

Tuk tuk

 Day 2 - Woke up early for in house breakfast. Pretty shit. Then stroll to Royal palace which is just a stone's throw away from our hotel. For US$10, we get to see the amazing view of the palace and silver pagoda. Spent 1.5 hours taking pictures and touring around. Next, paid another US$2 to National Museum which is another 5 mins walk. Inside the museum, we are not allowed to take pictures. They feature sculpture of the Buddha , metal and gold found from underground, afterwhich, went to Central Market for some good bargains before heading back to hotel for shower again. Went to 2 shopping malls - Sorya Shopping centre and Sovanna Shopping Centre. Pretty crap. Selling all the imitation products and things at sky high prices compared to market.

Had 2 cocktails in the evening as the weather is too hot for us to handle. Slept for another 2 hours and woke up at 10pm. Went for Happy pizza and bruschetta.

Welcome to Royal Palace

Knitting machine

National museum

bruschetta

Pizza with egg

Day 3 - Dont even bother to get up for the breakfast by the hotel. Went to Cafe Fresco for western breakfast, Croissant and tea. Then head to Wat Phnom to visit the temple. Offer my prayer as it is Vesak day. Did some last min shopping around the vicinity of my hotel. Found the shop "Friends and stuff" a good way to spend money and donate at the same time. Had lunch again at Saravan Resturant (must go), very nice food serve over there too. Headed to airport at 1.30pm for my flight back to Singapore.

Wat Phnom

Saravan resturant

Indeed, it was a nice trip in Cambodia. The folks were very nice and the place looks pretty safe for tourists to visit. No doubt, the streets were dirty and very messy, i think its a good place to travel since it hasnt been exploit by too much tourism yet. US$2 can bring you anyway you want, coke for US$0.50,  a meal cost US$4 and a beer cost US$2/3. A cheap yet safe place to visit. DO drink more water as the weather is so hot (33-35 degree) without aircon in most shops/restaurants/bars. Insect repellent, sun block, water bottle and sun glasses becomes an essential items in Cambodia.