Tag Archives: Phnom Penh
Royal Palace of Phnom Penh
My day at the Royal Palace of Phnom Penh will always be remembered as a hot and sticky one, because I was not allowed to go in without purchasing an over-sized white shirt with sleeves, after finding out that shawls were not allowed, and I had no other clothing with me to cover my sleeveless arms.
Nevertheless, we were fortunate to get a rather detailed guide, making our tour around the palace more bearable.
Toto Homemade Ice Cream & Dessert Cafe
One VERY good thing which came out of our initial accomodation fiasco was that our new hotel, though more run-down, was situated practically just next door to this amazing cafe – Toto Homemade Ice Cream & Dessert Cafe.
We fell in love with the exterior immediately, and we were not disappointed when we stepped in.
The ice cream, pastries, tea, and on top of it all, the service of the staff – was world-class and puts the standard at home to shame, really.
We enjoyed the food and ambiance of the place so much, we visited this cafe not just once, not twice, but THRICE, in the entire 2 and a half days we were in Phnom Penh. (Of course it helped that it was just next door to where we were staying 😉
Toto Homemade Ice Cream & Dessert Cafe
Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum
Another depressing-but-must-see in the city of Phnom Penh. We initially planned to visit the museum and the Killing Fields on the same day, but now I’m glad we got to split them up. 2 depressing spots in one day would have been too much.
The tour guide who brought us around (for USD6) shared about how her father, brother and sister were killed under the Pol Pot regime, because her father used to be a soldier under General Lon Nol. Her mother and her only managed to escape because they went to live in the refugee camp in Vietnam. Her mother is still reluctant to visit the S-21 Prison Museum, and when she herself started working as a tour guide she remembered crying everyday.
Today in Cambodia, it is not difficult to find anyone who has been affected by the regime. Numerous families have lost at least one member during the war – missing or dead. Hearing her say such words made me look at the Cambodian people differently. What are the similar yet unique stories behind each smile, gesture, and service? What do they tell themselves such that they can move on from their recent and gory history?
Like plants that can grow out of cracks in cement, will they be able to harness what they have left, and build themselves up again?
Wat Phnom
Way Phnom – the center of Buddhist activity and festivity in Phnom Penh (or so says Wikipedia). We, being the free and easy lovers we are, went there without any guides, and simply explored the temple grounds on our own, admiring its architecture and grandeur. The downside is that we did not fully understand the history and significance of the place, but I suppose that could be easily rectified with a little bit of personal reading and research!
Along Life's Path 