i should have...

well, i should have started blogging when i came to Cambodia like 3 months ago. well, yea, its really boring here in Phnom Penh, especially when its at night, and you dont have a car to go out. since the first day i arrived in Phnom Penh, i was kinda excited... you know, new country, new environment, new adventures. now, almost 3 months have passed... and here i am again... working my ass off in a foreign country.

Phnom Penh is full of surprises, letting it be a 3rd world country and all... culture shock would be the exact phrase when one comes to this Windy City, the asian version of Chicago's Windy City. winds here are strong, strong enough to tear open metal, uprooting tents from the ground and so forth. when you start thinking about the wind, you might just feel its a damn cool city... but when you are here and realised that the streets are often dusty and dirty, then you will feel that the wind isnt what you wanted all this while. after inhaling carbon monoxide, dust and dirt, you would just want to stay at home or ride in a 4-wheeler.

once, i was on a motorbike to Kandal province, i saw a huge ass pig and kids playing with it. i can assume that its their pet... a pig, and soon to be dinner i guess. not only pigs, but an elephant as well. this elephant was walking home... on one of Phnom Penh's busiest street, Norodom Blvd. its harmless... just using the road like all other tax payers... this elephant can be spotted at Wat Phnom, one of Phnom Penh's must see tourist attractions. i read somewhere that La Croisette, an international restaurant sponsors this elephant, maintenance wise of course. aide from pigs and elephants, you will also see horses, with carriages... not for humans but for goods and stuffs. a cowboy town you might say... with full of surprises.

so far to date, i have visited almost all the tourist spots in Phnom Penh, except Toul Sleng Genocide Museum and the Killing Fields. here is a round-up:

National Museum

architecture is fantastic. exhibits are mainly from Angkor Wat... statues, figurines and so on. the garden in the museum brings serenity to one. many barangs (foreigners) would just sit back and relax with a book.

Royal Palace & Silver Pagoda

costs me USD6.25... expensive? hell yea! the area is just awesome. the main buildings are masterpieces. try not to be so obvious with your mouth ajar when looking at these magnificent buildings. then, there is the odd one out, Napoleon Bonaparte III's colonial looking mansion... built when he "dropped" by at Cambodia. the Silver Pagoda looks ordinary, but inside, is where the magic is. although the silver flooring are covered with carpets, take a look around the royal items, mainly made of gold. astounding. if you were to asked me is it worth the USD6.25, i would say, yes? its alright... quite worth it.

Wat Phnom

this is the place where Phnom Penh got its name. Wat Phnom means a temple/pagoda named Phnom. and there was this lady named Lady Penh, who stayed up there waiting for her love of her life... that never did appear. rumour has it that if you are attached with somebody, and one of you were to visit the temple... the result is a divorce/split/breakup... by the way, Wat Phnom is located at the highest point in Phnom Penh, about 2 storeys high...

Russian Market (Psar Toul Tompoung)

claustrophobic? think again of going... this is the place filled with EVERYTHING you can imagine. books, DVDs, souvenirs, clothes, food, accessories, jewelry, motor spare parts, etc... the best coffee in Phnom Penh is here as well. check out this link: http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g293940-d638459-r33027359-Russian_Market-Phnom_Penh.html

Central Market (Psar Thmei)

currently, the main building is under massive renovations. therefore, the stalls are all grouped up in a huge area. just like Russian Market, everything can be found here. not as dark and claustrophobic as the Russian... there are more space to breath but it is still hot. try not to go both markets in the middle of the day, the afternoon sun can be really piercing! markets are normally open in the morning (7am) and closes late evening (6pm).

Independence Monument

just another photography is the phrase for it. best be on foot, walk around the monument and take photos from all directions. the monument is the exact replica of Angkor Wat's main temple entrance. 

Psars (Markets)

O'Russey, Olympic, Night... these 3 markets are also popular amongst the locals and barangs. a typical market that sells everything too... but maybe not motorbike spare parts. Night Market is located along Sisowath Quay (Riverside) have a walk through it and get back on "Barang Land" (sisowath quay).

Wats (Temples/Pagodas)

Wat Ounalom is the HQ of the Buddhist patriarchate and is still standing, surviving the Khmer Rouge empire attacks. there are many other Wats in Phnom Penh, and they are all mostly open to the public. they might look just like any other Wats but the architecture is what you look for.

Art Street (Street 240)

landmark for many artsy fartsy items, from shirts to metals... mainly sculptured and made by locals. there is a bakery named The Shop. check it out... lovely breakfast they got.

Girly Bars (Street 104)

yes, they have these here as well. under strict laws recently, many of the bars have toned down their business. dancing on the bar counter, stripping in the shower (no nudity) all these have been banned and bars here have just alcohol.... and tonnes of GRO. take your pick... or let them come after you.

here's the link to my photo site... enjoy! <Flickr>

Phnom Penh is full of surprises... not a city to live at for 1 year... but a city to live at for 1 week! then get out of Phnom Penh and head down to Siem Reap, Sihanoukville and other provinces.

rest assured that i will be updating on Phnom Penh pretty often from now on... Or Kun!

CHEERIO! :D