"Once the Pearl of Asia" a Phnom Penh Travel Page by AlbuqRay

Phnom Penh was once considered the "Pearl of Asia," and Cambodia was one of the "rice bowls" of SE Asia. After Cambodia won independence from France in the 1950's, Phnom Penh was one of the most popular cities in Asia. It was like a miniature Paris in Indochina, with cafés, ornate lampposts lining the riverfront, and landmarks of the nation's rich history. Under the Khmer Rouge from 1975-79, over one-fourth of the Cambodian population was killed (1.7 million people). They also emptied Phnom Penh, forced most of its residents into the countryside, and turned the once-vibrant city into a ghost town. There was civil war until 1991 and some Khmer Rouge elements did not surrender until 1999. Today the city is still recovering. In Phnom Penh, one sees vestiges of the old beauty and there is much new construction. Physically, it is on its way to being a pearl again. There is one downside though, the widespread corruption. Although the average person is friendly, honest and hard working, there are too many dishonest people in positions of authority trying to make an extra dollar (literally; they prefer USD). All tourists are perceived as rich and are targets. You must watch yourself; there are many scams.

BTW, if you want first-hand, outstanding information on Phnom Penh and other parts of Cambodia, don't miss Amber Martinez's VT pages and her blog.

The dedicated PIO teachers and staff do an incredible job helping kids at the Phnom Penh's Stung Mean Chey municipal dump and in two slum areas get an education. The director, Phymean Noun, won a CNN Top Ten Heroes award in 2008. What is interesting though, is that most Cambodians have never heard of her! Check the travelogues and videos to see more about the organization and schools, and to see the teachers and kids doing test flights of soaring cylinders and helicopters.

Phnom Penh is a city of contrasts. In the area around the Royal Palace and National Museum, spectacular architecture, clean parks and wide boulevards are the norm. However, just a few blocks away, there are unbelievably trashy streets jammed with traffic, and many run-down buildings in need of repair. What is ubiquitous though (besides the tuk tuk drivers) are people getting over the past and looking forward to better times. One of the videoclips is a 360 panorama taken from the same place as this picture.