Phnom Penh Attraction

We tried too wake up for the sunrise but it's too late. We rented 2 bicycles from Sunday GH. 6am is like 7.30am in Malaysia... We started our journey by asking using this map and asking around.

Our destination planned today will be based on the backpacker's guide given by Lonely Planet Cambodia. A nice and detail reference.

______________________________________________________________

CYCLING in Cambodia is an exhilarating experience to be forgotten. The drivers there are kind of "skillful" as they will do U-Turn anywhere, drive into other's lane, disobey the traffic light, and horning is like saying "hi". We noticed some broken pieces of glass on the road because they drive recklessly. Don't complain if someone "kiss" your bike from behind, just beware of your legs when cycling as we have lots of similar experience expecially in the Central Market (Psah Thmei) area. The dusty road makes the visibility worse and you will end up feeling your throat dry-crack in the end of the day of cycling.

______________________________________________________________

Raffles Hotel Le Royal

1 night stay will EAT up all my budget in Cambodia.
1 night = $260(standard room)- $2000(presidential suite)
Very luxurious!

Wat Phnom Temple on the summit of Wat Phnom

A small hill crowned by an active wat (pagoda) marks the legendary founding place of the Phnom Penh. Elephant rides available. The legend of the founding of Wat Phnom is tied to the beginnings of Phnom Penh. Legend has it that in 1372 Lady Penh (Yea Penh) fished a floating Koki tree out of the river. Inside the tree were four Buddha statues. She built a hill (‘phnom’ means ‘hill’) and a small temple (wat) at what is now the site of what is now known as Wat Phnom. Later, the surrounding area became known after the hill (Phnom) and its creator (Penh), hence ‘Phnom Penh.’ The current temple was last rebuilt in 1926. The large stupa contains the remains of King Ponhea Yat (1405-1467) who moved the Khmer capital from Angkor to Phnom Penh in 1422. Look for the altar of Lady Penh between the large stupa and the vihear. She is said to be of particular help to women. Wat Phnom is the busiest pagoda in town the night of Chinese/Vietnamese New Year’s Eve.

The enormous mechanical clock

US Embassy

We are not even allowed to take any photo even from far away. The guard came and chased us away!!

Post Office

Funny enough, there is no English Signboard showing that this is the main Post Office in Cambodia, only in Khmer wordings. We find it by guessing.. We posted a few post cards to our loved ones in Malaysia. The stamp for a postcard is 1800Riel.

Luckily the staff here can speak simple English. Will take 2 weeks for Asean countries. "Just nice when we return they will receive it!"

P.S : Our motive of sending not trying to "show off". We debate for it. Imagine one day you came from work and found a lovely postcard in our mail box, you will smell the scent of Phnom Penh and feel relax. Very sincere!

Central Market (Psah Thmei)

This unique, art-deco building is a Phnom Penh landmark. Prior to 1935 the area was a swamp/lake that received the runoff during the rainy season. The lake was drained and the market constructed in 1935-37. Wet season flooding in the area around the market of the market is a vestige of the old lake. The entrance to the market is lined with souvenir merchants hawking everything from T-shirts and postcards to silver curios and kramas. Inside is a dazzling display of jewels and gold. Electronic goods, stationery, secondhand clothes and flowers are also in ample supply.

(Phsar Thmei means ‘New Market’, but ‘Central Market’ has caught on in English.)

This is where Boo and I got lost, and i lose my temper. Sorry Boo.

This area is Phnom Penh busiest part. The traffic outside here is very heavy. Our bicycles were "kissed" many times. Boo scared :)

The inside of the Dome-shaped building is well constructed with the natural aircon compared to the 35C outside. Simple but stunning.

Do you dare to eat this??? Small frogs 1500Riels. Boo found it disgusting. Taste??? normal...

Biggest Shopping Complex in Phnom Penh- Receipt of Sorya shopping complex..

The Receipt of our spending.

All printed in both

US$

and

Riel

National Museum/ Royal Palace

The distinctive rust-red National Museum next to the Royal Palace was dedicated by King Sisowath in 1920. Over 5000 objects are on display including Angkorian era statues, lingas and other artifacts, most notably the legendary statue of the ‘Leper King

The Royal Palace in Phnom Penh was constructed over a century ago to serve as the residence of the King of Cambodia, his family and foreign dignitaries, as a venue for the performance of court ceremony and ritual and as a symbol of the Kingdom. It serves to this day as the Cambodian home of King Norodom Sihamoni and former King Norodom Sihanouk

We go for one of the recommended Khmer cuisine restaurant recommended by Loney Planet.

The Banana dish (forget the name) is one not to be missed. Still have fire on it when it's served.

The price is still reasonable with the nice surrounding.

Flood in front of the Royal Palace

______________________________________________________________

Dinner at Chhay Heng Restaurant, the BEST Khmer food recommended by Sunday GH's staff

WHY THE MUST-GO TOURIST ATTRACTION SPOT IS NOT OUR MAIN FOCUS ???

As our travel philosophy sounded, see, taste, feel and involved in the real Cambodian's culture. We are not the normal tourist who will only visit the gorgeos pre-arranged tourist destination, which all the staff there are well-dressed in clean uniform and speaks fluent English, which the buildings are fully aircond, where you feel like being served like the king and tour guide and tuk-tuk touting their 1 day service to bring you around the city.

"If you just want to take the photo of the Royal palace, monuments, artifacts inside, you can easily find a professional one in postcard or internet." Boo commented.

What we want is visit the real life of Cambodians with 5 million people live on less than AUD $1.60 a day,and the khmer language based community. Believe me, you will feel frustrated trying to express yourself in English, but you will see how a friendly is these Cambodians trying to help you. No Pain, No Gain!!!