"Phnom Penh 3/4/08 - 6/4/08" Phnom Penh by balhannah

Phnom Penh Travel Guide: 1,425 reviews and 3,746 photos

PHNOM PENH

My journey from Ho Chi Minh to Phnom Penh was by air. At the airport, I had to get a visa, this was an easy process and cost foreigners $20.

Next, I bought a taxi coupon, this cost $9, I thought this was a great idea as at least I couldn't be overcharged.
Tuk - Tuks or Remorque-moto as they are known here, are different to the ones in Thailand. They are a cheap way to get around the city, and if you are lucky, you may get a good driver like the one who looked after me. He was nice, spoke English took me to all the sights and stopped whenever I wanted a photo.

My Hotel was opposite the river, a nice position, with good restaurants all around......
and within easy walking distance of the sights if you wish. An added plus, was that it had a balcony, I really enjoyed sitting on this in the evenings...........

Phnom Penh comes to life then!
I found there was plenty to keep me busy here for the 3 days.

The Palace was just wonderful, so beautiful.
The central market sold everything, and I found it to be very cheap.
I visited places where I learnt the history on the war, so sad, and not so long ago.

Pretty flowers on the trees

People were quite friendly, and didn't pester me anywhere near as much as in Vietnam. A sad sight was the beggars here who had horrific injuries, my heart went out to them. A couple of horrific ones, I couldn't get out of my mind for quite a while, quite upsetting seeing them.

I also saw a lot of funny and unusual sights.
Ladies selling lollies in baskets on their heads. Utes and buses crammed full and overflowing with people, never seen anything like it before! Motorbikes and Trucks overloaded with goods. The river was busy also.

Pagodas & Buildings

Nice building

WILDLIFE

Another pleasure, was feeding the Monkey's at Wat Phnom, and then standing under the shade of the tree's and watching their antics. To feed them was an enjoyable, cheap experience for me. Later, on a walk around Wat Phnom, I actually saw a Monkey going through a woman's hair!

PAGODA'S & BUILDINGS

Pagoda's, and there are plenty of these to see, and most of them are different, all Buddhist. One had a boat in gold, another had swans. I also saw quite a few monks.
There are quite a few nice French colonial buildings, also, a lot of foreign Embassies.

I enjoyed my stay here, it was very interesting and different to where I come from.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Not expensive to see the sights and the riverfront restaurants are nice
Cons:Beggars
In a nutshell:I thought it was quite nice, loved the riverside eateries

Last visit to Phnom Penh: Apr 2008
Intro Updated Dec 2, 2012
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Reviews (16)

Wat Phnom Pagoda Monkey's Things to Do (9)

Around the base of Wat Phnom, you will see a lot of wild monkeys. There are people there selling food for you to feed... more travel advice

This is a view of the restaurants - Phnom Penh

Western & Cambodian food Restaurants (1)

I stayed at the Paragon Hotel opposite the river. My meals were had at the nearby restaurants, I can't remember their... more travel advice

Wat ??? Things to Do (9)

I don't know the name of this Wat, but we passed it on the way to the killing fields. If you wanted to see it, I'm sure... more travel advice

Tuk-Tuk Transportation (3)

I hired a Tuk-Tuk to take me to the places around Phnom Penh that I didn't see with the taxi. He was outside my Hotel,... more travel advice

Warnings and Dangers (1)
Wanting more money
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Comments (26)

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GentleSpirit Dec 2, 2012 at 5:00 PM

i liked your tour of phnom penh. seemed quite similar to bangkok in a lot of ways...the temples, the markets, transportation. the national museum looked fabulous and chilling though it may have been the genocide museum must have been quite moving. wonderful pages Dee!
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cal6060 Nov 18, 2011 at 6:42 PM

I am going to Phnom Penh next month, your tips are so helpful. Thanks: ))
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tiabunna Jun 13, 2011 at 6:03 AM

Interesting reading, Dee, particularly as I'm planning to head over that way on a tour in September.
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easterntrekker Feb 11, 2011 at 12:35 PM

Just got back from our trip...think I had the same Blind Masseuse.....he had lots of strength in his hands.LOL . Your pages are great.
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Trekki Jan 23, 2011 at 1:18 AM

I really should consider Cambodia one day. The National Museum and Royal Palace and Tuol Sleng Museum sound interesting enough! And this market... oh, I am already hungry :-) Too bad that you had another not good hotel!
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Balam Sep 27, 2010 at 9:32 AM

Great tips and pics!
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kemisteryoso Sep 20, 2010 at 9:11 PM

wow.. great.
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Maryimelda Jun 1, 2010 at 11:19 PM

You're nothing if not adventurous Dee, I take my hat off to you. Another great page.
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PierreZA May 3, 2010 at 10:15 AM

Thank you for visiting Pretoria page. I am planning a trip to Cambodia for later this year. Nice page with good tips.
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uglyscot Apr 7, 2010 at 12:43 AM

I feel you weren't really happy with your stay here. It's not a place I would go out of my way to visit.