After roughly three hours and thirty minutes of bus travel from Sihanoukville, arriving in Phnom Penh gives one a glimpse of the contrasts found in Cambodia’s capital. Phnom Penh, a Southeast Asian city of around two million people, may be relatively small compared to other capitals in the region, like Bangkok or Manila, yet it has ample opportunities for exploration.
After arriving, the first hurdle was getting to the hotel. A tuk-tuk ride through the city offered the first taste of its troubled traffic, motorbikes, street vendors, and general movement. Upon arriving at a fantastic high-rise hotel, we started to explore the city the next day.
Exploring Phnom Penh Riverside
The riverside area is extremely tourist-friendly. It is located near the Royal Palace. It is full of open areas, temples, street vendors, and the river giving great viewpoints of the area. There are a lot of pigeons in the area, and there are local people offering to take pictures with the birds.
Atmosphere is brought in by small food booths. One of the most remarkable snacks was a hot pancake, freshly made and stuffed with sweet fillings, available directly from a charcoal-heated mold. In addition, strolling along the river exposes many cafes, restaurants, bars, and even global networks, which results in a peaceful environment rather than aggressive street trading which can be encountered in other tourism places.
For an Amazing Experience
The locality that is not meant for tourist visitors shows a more real Phnom Penh. There are many fresh markets full of fruits, vegetables, fish, and meat where one can buy food for real Cambodian meals.
A trip to a roadside barber made the visit more unique. The prices for a haircut and a shave were low, and the service was provided in a cozy chair with air conditioner and complimentary water.
Tasting Traditional Cambodian Fish Amok
For a truly Cambodian dish, fish amok is worth trying out. This delicious dish incorporates fish with coconut, lemongrass, ginger, as well as other spices. Fish amok is served with soft pieces of fish and a very rich sauce. It is one of the most traditional dishes in Cambodia and has a special taste without being too spicy.
The Modern Part of Phnom Penh
Just a short tuk-tuk ride away is a completely different Phnom Penh. A more contemporary area features modern buildings, major streets, nice restaurants, and hotels, while Chinese characters are all around.
This part of Phnom Penh is very modern and much cleaner than the traditional part of the city but different means of transport such as Cambodian tuk-tuks and street vendors help to preserve some connection to traditions.
