Phnom Penh, Cambodia

I have not been to Cambodia and finally had a chance to do so!

Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, is definitely a city of contrasts. It is an always busy metropolis with a rich history and culture. The city is home to ancient temples, French colonial architecture, and modern skyscrapers. Phnom Penh is also a city of poverty and hardship. You can be in a very luxurious area and then within a few steps into a different type of world within the same neighborhood). The scars of the Khmer Rouge regime are still evident in the city, and many people live in poverty. There are still many who lived through and know the stories.

Despite its challenges, Phnom Penh is a vibrant and exciting city. The people are friendly and welcoming, and there is always something to do. Whether you are interested in history, culture, food, or nightlife, Phnom Penh has something to offer. The hospitality of people here remind me of Thailand. It is walkable but very cheap to go around by tuk tuks.

I chose the Plantation Urban Resort and Spa particularly for the pools and what the hotel looked like. I planned for no more than three hours of exploring each day and the rest of the time for just relaxing.

There are quite a few markets. The one for the locals is the Old Market. It was interesting to see people coming together for food, entertainment, and buying goods. I met up with my friends Darcie and Habib for dinner and to tour the market.

Always some interesting things at the markets.

The next day I spent most of the day in and by the pool. Great for rehab. I walked to Wat Phnom which is a Buddhist temple (wat). Some of the sights along the way:

This is actually the top of a government building.

Phnom Wat is the oldest religious monument in the city and is considered to be the spiritual heart of Phnom Penh. The temple is located on a small hill, hence the name “Wat Phnom” which means “Hill Temple” in Khmer.

The temple was built in 1372 by a woman named Penh who found four Buddha statues floating in the Mekong River. She built a small shrine to house the statues on the hill, and over time the shrine grew into a temple. The temple was closed (stairs are not my thing right now anyway).