Our Epic Journey aka 'I hate you'
- Trans-siberian, SE Asia,
Oz & NZ, most of South
America (inc. Easter
Island), Antarctica,
Central America, US and
then home!
(Dave here) Took a morning bus (9am) which went to the Bavet border (Cambodia) and carried on to Phnom Penh. We picked up visas at the border (30 days - $20) and arrived here around 5pm.
We took a TukTuk straight to the lake area (Boeng Kak) and are staying at a nice little place called Floating Island for $5 a night. (Em here now) This area is quite run-down and the place is a bit of a shack but has great views over the lake plus a bar/restaurant which is great for sunset viewing.
I was a bit apprehensive about coming to Phnom Penh as have heard there is not a lot to do plus the reports about crime, child prostitution etc. On the face of it it appears to be trying to clear up its act a bit and publicly trying to fight against child prostition although what is actually going on is anyone's guess. The city is also a lot more developed than I imagined with wide roads and pavements unlike Vietnam, Thailand etc. There are a lot more cars but it is still pretty quiet by western standards.
We eventually negotiate with a tuk tuk to take us to the riverside via an ATM (we read in our guidebook on the way that there were none here and had a bit of a panic but they have now arrived thankfully but only dispense US dollars - which most people use anyway which feels a bit odd). The tuk tuk driver then changes his mind and tries to double the price after the ATM which we argue about and he then abandons us there! So we then get a v large motorbike to take us both to the river for Cambodian food - similar, but milder, than Thai but coconut milk and similar herbs/spices. We then go to the Foreign Correspondents Club (FCC) for a drink which feels very colonial/decadent. It is upstairs in a lovely building overlooking the river and I really enjoy my first glass of white wine of the trip. As soon as you leave you are reminded of where you are and the poverty around you. There are lots of beggars here and the poverty is a lot more visible as there is no social welfare system here and plenty of people that need it especially the disabled. We are still trying to resist giving beggars money but do try and buy things from them or donate if they are performing. It is hard to know what to do really...........anyone any suggestions?
Phnom Penh Hotels
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