Phnom Penh, The Capital of Cambodia

The National Assembly Office

I got picked up from the bus station by Elvis (tuk-tuk driver).  He was referred by Barang, tuk-tuk guide/driver from Siem Reap.  Set a pick-up time for the next day and he dropped me off at the OK Guest House and Restaurant where I stayed overnight.

I took a single room with a fan at real dirt cheap.  I found its restaurant was packed with other back-packers of different nationals when I got there.   I have not seen any kababayan there,  I was the only Pinay.   I went straight in my assigned room and throw my things, it was time to charge my laptop and camera for their next activities.   Took shower and had my dinner at the restaurant.  That time it was not busy, probably most of the guests had their dinner.  While having dinner I talked to one of the staffs about the night market and how to get there.  After having my dinner, the staff and his girlfriend and other friends took me along with them at the night market since they already finished their duty at work.

Flag of Cambodia with Angkor Thom
in the center

The Night Market is one of the attractions in the city and it is open on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.  I just got lucky my Phnom Penh schedule since it fell on Saturday night.   I enjoyed walking around the market remembering my days in Taiwan going to the night market.  There was a stage show which I did not pay more attention because I don’t understand what are they talking about,  enough to hear them from the loudspeakers.   It was crowded.  Items sold ranging from shoes, clothing, handicrafts, house decors, watches, cell phones, food stalls and seats.    I did not have photos of the market, the camera is just a snatch away in a  crowded area.   An hour is enough to see around the market.

My pick up time for Phnom Penh city tour was set at 06:30 am.  I woke up before the set alarm, couldn't sleep more.  At 05:30 am I was seating at the restaurant trying to catch wi-fi, that's where guests can access wi-fi.   Those stay-in staffs are still sleeping and by 06:00 they started to prepare the kitchen.  I had my breakfast while waiting for Elvis.  He showed up at 07:00am,  I guess 06:30 is still early for him.

I am ready for the tour and excited to see more of you, Phnom Penh.

I had a list of the places that I wanted to see around Phnom Penh but first let me introduced my English speaking driver for this trip…Elvis.   Meet Elvis and his ride;-).   For his contact information feel free to contact me.





1. Independence Monument was built in 1958.    It stands on the intersection of Norodom Boulevard and Sihanouk Boulevard in the center of the city.

2. Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum - once a center for learning Tuol Svay Prey High School was taken by Pol Pot’s security forces and the school was transformed into a security prison (S-21).    Aguish and suffering caused by Khmer Rouge – 1975-1979.  Location:  113 Sangkat Beoung Keng Kang lll, Khan Charmkarmorn, Phnom Penh City.  Admission Fee of $2.

I felt uneasy walking around the place.  As I visualized the wall markings, the event that took place in every particular area and corner of the buildings was nerve breaking.  I felt goosebumps. Honestly, I walked fast just to enough to get ideas and the glimpse of the place, couldn't stay for long.

Once a center of learning Tuol Svay Prey High School was taken over by
Pol Pot's Security Forces (S-21). Classrooms were turned into torture chambers

The Count

The Skeletons

The Gallows

The wooden pole in the yard used for physical education of students was turned into an interrogation and torture machine.  Prisoner on both tied hands behind their back, head dipped into the jar and tied up into the pole

14 Dead

Read from Yahoo News.          
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100726/ap_on_re_as/as_cambodia_genocide_tribunal         


3. The Royal Palace - Preah Borom Reach Vang Chatomuk Monukul.   The name was so given due to its location near the intersection of four rivers, namely Upper Mekong, the Tonle Sap, lower Mekong, and Tonle Bassac.  Very nice architecture, I got amazed by roofs and towering designs.  Admission fee of $3.

4. Silver Pagoda -  Pagoda of the Emerald Buddha this is still inside the Royal Palace compound.

 5. The National Assembly 

6. Diamond Island City  (Koh Pich )  –  the convention and exhibition center.

7. Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation - Sandech Hun Sen Street, Sangkat Tonle Basac, Khan Chanmcarmon, Phnom Penh

8.  Naga World Casino 

9. Buddhist Institute - Sisowath  12301 Phnom Penh

10. National Museum  -  Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts, National Museum
Admission fee of $3

11. The Post Office

12. Wat Phnom Hill the central point of Phnom Penh

13. The Central Market

14. Sissowat Quay - riverside boulevard.  Good for strolling while sight-seeing.  It is the venue for the boat festival.

15.  King Of Cambodia - Norodom Sihamoni

Norodom Sihamoni

16. Hanging Traffic Signal - with countdown timer

17. Cottonball and other Flowers

18.  Dined in at their local restaurant to experience and taste the real Khmer food.

Taste the thirst quenching Iced Coffee…whooooaaaa!  

Ended my trip in Phnom Penh with an hour of relaxing Blind Massage for $6.  So love it ♥!
I would so like to just for a few more minutes but I have a bus to catch up.
       
Lifted my bag again I left the massage center and walked straight to the bus station.                 



♣ My next station Ho Chih Minh 6 hours on the run. ♣