Phnom Penh

 
After the mission it was to get here and how late it was, all I managed the first night was food (Cambodian Veg Fried Rice!) and bed! The next day I walked around the city and was waiting for Ian to arrive. I was looking for a specific veg restaurant but couldn’t find the damn street. Turned out one of the main roads was actually 2!

Despite its terrible, recent, history, Cambodians are very friendly, happy people. Many people tried to help me with directions even if they didn’t speak a word of English. The City is fairly clean, big roads, and food is surprisingly good!

It started pouring down rain at one point, but I simply didn’t care. The weather was so hot that I was either going to be covered in sweat or soaked in rain so what does it matter!? I think some of the locals thought I was a little strange not giving a shit, but hey my bag is waterproof and I’m pretty sure I am to an extent so its all good. Refreshing actuallly.

Moto guys were still trying to get my attention – but whats the point? I’m going to get just as wet, if not more, sitting on the back of a moto than walking!

We stayed at Okay Guest house, wich is..well Okay really. Like a lot of South East Asia, its more hotel than backpackers and there wasn’t a lot going on, and while close to the “sights” there really arent that many to see and nothing is more than a short Tuk Tuk ride away.

One day we walked around the Boengkak Lake area, which is a little like Koh San for Phnom Penh, so some people will love it and others will avoid it like the plague, either way, again, a Tuk Tuk can get you in or out of there pretty quick. Boddhi Tree is reccommended by various people, but its more expensive and quite small. We went there for lunch one day, and at over $5, this was actually the most expensive meal I have had in South East Asia! But it was very good. The setting is nice enough, but I really don’t think I would like to stay in a place literally across the road from S-21.

Your best bet is probably to try out Top Banana, who were unfortunately booked out at the time.

You can always get cheaper food and drinks by hitting the back streets, but we ventured along the riverfront and prices weren’t that bad. We joined up with some Canadians and hopped a few before heading to a Bar with $1 spirits on a pontoon floating on the river! We carved up the dance floor till the wee hours and got a moto back.

Around 7am, I woke up and noticed our room door was slightly open. Odd. I then noticed Ian wasn’t in the room, nor the bathroom. Also odd. I figured by the state he was in when we came back he wasn’t exactly going for a jog, so I was trying to work out where he went. I waited over 30min and was just about to start a search when I hear one of the staff members at someone elses room.

*Knock Kock* “Hello Sir! What’s your room number?”
“….what?…216…”
“This is room 219″
“…Huh?…I went to bed in my own room…”

At this point I got up and poked my held out to help a very confused Ian, who was somehow in another room 3 meters away. Seemingly, he slept walk and went to the bathroom, some how went outside and into another room which was unlocked because no one was in there! Unfortunately he had to pay a 1/2 nights accommodation for using that room, but it was very funny haha

S-21 & The Killing Fields »« Saigon to Phnom Penh, via the Mekong Delta