Blogs from Phnom Penh, South, Cambodia, Asia - page 10

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Asia » Cambodia » South » Phnom Penh March 15th 2016

Rob writes: We were now leaving Laos. My experience of Laos was somewhat similar to that of Tina’s, although I feel her words float around the periphery of absolute bluntness, and offensiveness if I’m being honest. I’m offended by them anyway, but sometimes I’m offended just by looking at her. I cannot think of any particular thing about Laos which captured my interest. I can see why people would like it though, the magnificent countryside views and the general pace of life there seems quite slow, which appeared to be reflected in its capital, Vientiane. If that’s your thing, this is the country to visit. Prior to arriving at Vientiane I felt each place we had visited was a little too similar to the last, so I was a little disappointed when I didn’t see the ... read more
Dust Mask Tuk Tuk
Killing Fields - Choeung Ek
Tooth - Choeung Ek

Asia » Cambodia » South » Phnom Penh January 26th 2016

Geo: 11.5588, 104.917Check-out from hotel at 06:30 and go for a short walk along the riverfront before we have breakfast and leave Kampot. GiantIbis comes and pick us up at 08:15 and by 08:30 we are on our way back to Phnom Penh. Had been warned that these express buses drove too fast and were dangerous but to be fair the trip here was very comfy and the driver was safe. Our return trip is completely the opposite as I think the driver has his foot welded to the floor and one hand to the horn. Wasn't too worried how long it took us to get back to Phnom Penh I was just glad to get there alive !!Take a remork to the hotel for our third visit and get a good room again. Just goes ... read more
Looked interesting, tasted great !!
Goodbye Tonle Sap

Asia » Cambodia » South » Phnom Penh January 23rd 2016

Geo: 11.5588, 104.917After our brief sojourn in dolphin country its back to the bright lights of Phnom Penh today with another long bus ride. Up in time for breakfast starting at 06:30. A good spread again this morning but everything is cold including the coffee !!We check out at 08:30 and after 15mins stood outside the hotel waiting for a remork to pass we give up and walk the ½ mile into town instead. Early but I am still a bit hot and sweaty by the time we get to the spot on the riverfront where we have been the told the passing bus will stop and pick us up. The bus is due at 09:30 but doesn't turn up till nearly 10:00 making us a bit worried. With a cold breakfast, no remork and a ... read more
Wot, no cod !!
One way to cool an engine down !

Asia » Cambodia » South » Phnom Penh January 20th 2016

Geo: 11.5588, 104.917We have an excellent choice for breakfast again this morning although the fried food was cold even though we were one of the first to eat.Today is going to be a somber affair as we retrace the history of the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia. It is hard to believe that the Khmer Rouge were only actually 'rulers' here for 3 years, 8 months and 20 days as in that time they left a legacy never to be forgotten and managed to kill anywhere between 1 and 3 million of their own countrymen.Our first stop this morning is at what used to be the Tuol Svey Prey High School until 1975 when the Khmer Rouge transformed it into Tuol Sleng, Security Prison 21. This is now a museum documenting the crimes - mostly still unpunished ... read more
Inside cell at Tuol Sleng
'Playground' at Tuol Sleng
Tuol Sleng regulations ...

Asia » Cambodia » South » Phnom Penh January 11th 2016

Early start to the day but still managed breakfast before waiting patiently to be picked up by the Mekong express driver to take us in our VIP mini van!suppose to be picked up at 715 but driver came prancing into the hotel at 755! Needless to say the bus took off 45mins late from Phnom Penh!10 people on the bus-me, Ryan and an Australian girl the only western people!the bus journey consisted of an older Cambodian man listening loudly to fb videos and letting his phone ring for 10minutes before answering it and 2 older ladies eating smelly curries and bickering in the back of the bus! 5 hours later we were at the tamu hotel and the bus journey all of a sudden seemed worth it! The hotel is one word- luxury!!! Only 14 rooms ... read more

Asia » Cambodia » South » Phnom Penh January 10th 2016

Early start today to beat the crowds and head to the killing fields!horrible thing to see but something that needed to be witnessed!spent a few hours walking around the memorial site and listening to the audio tape!after we had lunch and chilled out in our hotel!could only sit out in our balcony for 15mins as the heat was so stifling!went back to the central market and Ryan bought himself some havaianas (fake of course)! For dinner we had some Khmer food again-getting slightly fed up with rice now! Not sure how I feel about Phnom Penh-it's just a big city but feeling slightly bored of it!looking forward to some relaxation at the beach tomorrow!... read more

Asia » Cambodia » South » Phnom Penh January 8th 2016

7am start to get bus to Phnom Penh withe giant ibis company!great bus-loads of space and had on the new Jurassic park at the front of the bus!had 2 chocolate croissants for breakfast-what a fatty! The roads from Siem reap to Phnom Penh were horrendous-most of them were dirt roads-I'm surprised the driver could see where he was going! In fact-it was so bad that a lorry crashed into the back of the bus!the wing mirror hit the window right beside us but thankfully we were all ok!the lorry however wasn't so much and a lot of angry Cambodians were yelling at the driver when he was eventually made to stop (they blocked the road off so we couldn't get past). All got sorted after 15mins!the vacation boutique hotel where we are staying is amazing!!soso fancy-ALOT ... read more

Asia » Cambodia » South » Phnom Penh December 26th 2015

Day 8 - Journey to Phnom Penh, capital city of Cambodia. Estimated population of 2.2M, it is definitely a busy city and heard from friends that the traffic can be bad. I started my journey around 7am to hoping to reach the city before 5pm. Giving myself ample of time to overcome the unexpected. Good thing is that, the hotel owner did preamp me that the road work is in progress towards phnom penh so I am very much anticipated bad road condition. The few kilometers of my journey was fine till I encounter first section of the road work and honestly the experience is not good. There road was scraped off and to make it worst, they sprinkle water on the loose red sand which made it very slippery. My bike almost lost control and ... read more
River Cruise
Way to Riverview Guesthouse
Night market area

Asia » Cambodia » South » Phnom Penh December 1st 2015

Tuesday 1st December 2015 We caught the bus from outside of our guesthouse which would take us across the border to Phenom Penh (PP), the capital of Cambodia and would mark our 5th country of our travels. The journey was fine and took 3 hours from Ho Chi Minh City to the border crossing. Reaching the border crossing we were given no instructions on what to do. We had given our bus conductor fella our passports and $30 each for the visa. When the bus stopped and all the Cambodian's got off, there were approx 10 western people looking at each other for guidance, us included. We all left the bus without our passports and headed for the building. Inside there weren't any clear signs which indicate foreign visitors or locals. We eventually managed to find ... read more
Tuk Tuk drive to the killing fields. A very bumpy road
Site of a mass grave at the killing fields
Tourists have started leaving wrist bands as a mark of respect for those killed

Asia » Cambodia » South » Phnom Penh November 27th 2015

So the border crossing into Cambodia was something of a cattle mart, utter chaos! When you take a bus, they take all the passports and hand them in in piles for supposed efficiency! lol. The first thing we noticed was that the people even the tuk tuk drivers here are far fairer with their prices than in Vietnam and also make you feel less like a walking ATM which is how you feel in Nam (don't get me wrong we loved our time there and the Sapa people weren't like this at all :)) They have Angkor beer on draft for 75 cents making Phil a happy guy. When we arrived at our hostel by the lake, we felt like we were walking into a coffee shop in Amsterdam, weed everywhere, you can even get it ... read more
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At our hostel, Phil's favourite beer so far :) Angkor beer
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