I was a little thrown in Phnom Penh. Having come from Malaysia, a very westernized country, Cambodia (and Phnom Penh) seemed so rustic. The roads are still dirt in some places. There are more motorbikes than you could imagine. People are constantly yelling, honking, running, driving and moving all around you. But the people are beautiful and the city is full of sites to see and places to visit.
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Favourite spots: |
No. 10 Guesthouse along the lake. Actually, No. 9 is good too. The lake is peaceful and all of the guesthouses here have an open-air veranda to enjoy the view.
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What's really great: |
Walking around the city, even though it's huge, is an amazing thing. You meet more people, get to see the sights and just learn a little more about the people and the city.
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Sights: |
The best thing I can recommend is grabbing one of the moto drivers and getting yourself a tour. You will be a little sore after an entire afternoon on a bike, but you'll see more of the city that way, and it's faster. On this bike tour (and I just let my driver direct where we went) some key places to see are the Tuol Sleng Museum (one of the places where Pol Pot and his regime kept prisoners), and the many Wats around the city.
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Accommodations: |
No. 9 or 10 on the lake. As I said, any of the guesthouses here are good and it's nice being away from the madness of the city, but still close enough to get to the sights.
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Restaurants: |
I don't really have restaurant suggestions, just try anything. But I will say that against almost everyone's judgement I went ahead and tried the ice drinks sold in the streets. I didn't get sick at all, and they were delicious, so if you have a tough stomach and are feeling brave (and please don't write and yell at me if it makes you sick) go ahead and try them. But it is most often recommended that you not drink the water or eat ice from the street vendors.
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Other recommendations: |
Another great stop on your motorbike tour will be the Killing Fields. The ride out is fantastic, as you go through small villages and can see how people like outside of the city.
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Published on Thursday January 23th, 2003
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Sun, Sep 28 2003 - 10:03 AM
by kathmandukitten
have you tried nepal? it's alot less westernised than phnom pehn. Thamel in kathmandu can get a little crazy but is still not very westernised if you go out of trekking season (august-november) |
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