The highlights of my side trip to Phnom Penh from Ho Chi Minh City.
We got here from Ho Chi Minh on an 11-seater VIP van by Mekong Express. You will get a wifi, water, cold towels, and some entertainment in a form of videoke tv playing songs in a language totally alien to you, just quite what you would want on a six-hour trip. Though (honestly) I was wishing the entire time they had played a nice English movie instead. :p A one-way trip costs $15 as of the time of writing.
We stayed in a charming, Cambodian-style, boutique hotel in the central. For a fraction of what I normally pay in an expensive chain hotel, I got a spacious and elegantly-furnished room complete with all the amenities needed for a relaxing stay. Even the breakfast didn’t disappoint! The only regret I had was that I booked only for one night!
The room was so lovely, we just stayed in and watched tv on the first night. And because I got a little sick from the long road trip from Ho Chi Minh.
Still feeling a bit under the weather in the morning, but we didn’t waste any minute and got ourselves as early as possible on our first stop for the day.
Royal Palace
The stunning architecture is the royal residence of the King of Cambodia. It stands in a huge complex encompassing several buildings with the Throne Hall being the main attraction. This primarily serves as the audience hall of the King where diplomatic and official ceremonies are held. Visitors can sneak a peek of the majestic interiors from the entrance doors.
Silver Pagoda
Adjacent to the Royal Palace is the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, popularly known as the Silver Pagoda because of the gleaming silver tiles adorning its floor. This part of the palace serves as the place for meditation and religious rituals of the King.
National Museum of Cambodia
The country’s largest cultural history museum and home to the world’s finest Khmer artefacts and sculptures. The building itself is beautiful but the collections is even more impressive. I suggest taking the audio tour to get a better appreciation, though this could be very detailed and long. Visitors are not allowed to take photograph of the exhibits.
Wat Phnom
This Buddhist Temple sits atop the highest point in the city and is a highly revered place of worship for residents. I find this place, however, overrun by foreign crowds and local vendors.
Independence Monument
We just passed by this monument in a tuk-tuk while touring around town. It’s right in the heart of the city symbolizing the country’s liberation from the century-long French rule.
Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum
This is not the most pleasant destination but otherwise a necessary stop if you are interested to get an understanding of the events surrounding the Khmer Rouge regime. Formerly a high school before it was turned into a site for detaining, torturing and executing prisoners of the Khmer Rouge, this has since been named as S-21 and witnessed one of the most depressing incidents in the Cambodian Genocide.
Inside its rooms, which used to be holding cells, are evidences of the crimes of the Khmer Rouge including carefully compiled photographs of the inmates, each telling a story of terror. You can also find detailed accounts of a time in prison from those who survived.
Our trip back to Ho Chi Minh was in the late afternoon, and we still had plenty of time to spend. We dropped by the Central Market to buy stuff we can bring home. I highly suggest checking this out if you are not pressed for time. And bring your bargaining skills along! I was able to get a really cheap and nice souvenir here.
The official currency in Cambodia is the Riel. However, I noticed that almost every establishment, even the tuktuk drivers and sidewalk vendors, accepts USD. This is really helpful if you didn’t have time to exchange your money. Note though, your change will be in Riel if you pay in excess.
xoxo
Bern around the world 