People of Phnom Penh

Looking through my photos, I realised I didn’t post this group of pictures taken in my previous trip to Phnom Penh. So I have decided to post it now, so that I can remember the feeling before it is gone.

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He was enjoying a morning talk with his friends in one of the many street stalls. What caught me was the cigarette that was dangling on his lips. I walked over and asked to take a photo which he graciously agreed.

He was seated on a bike but seriously I don’t think he is able to ride alone.

Young chap that was just out and about to start this business in delivery, caught him just before he scooted off in his bike.

Initially his helmet visor was down and covered his face, when I asked to take a photo, he sportingly pushed up the visor to reveal his face for this picture.

She doesn’t know where to look, hiding behind her mother, she was trying to look at another friend just besides me. Cute.

This is the friend who was besides me and he insisted I take his photo too. Of course, I am more than happy to oblige. He shadowed me through the entire street and pointing out different ones for me to shoot. To a point I was afraid he would not leave me. Ha.

Just love the smile here. Though they may live in a shabby area and not much to their possession, but the contentment and happiness are things that cannot be bought.

I heard about it many times, but it was the first time I encounter it. This lady happily pose for my photo and subsequently stretched out her hand to ask for money. I initially thought no way, but ultimately I just gave her a dollar, just to bless her. Needless to say, she walked away happier than before.

This is probably one trade of coke & photo. I was looking to buy a bottle of coke and after paying, I asked for a photo chance, which she gladly agreed. Cool. I mean the coke.

This is a dangerous shot, because this man and several other friends were gambling behind one of the many huge lorries along the road. I happened to pass by and took a quick shot. You can see his slight displeasure at the disturbance.

Strolled into a kindergarten and can’t help but took some photos of the kids inside. Such an innocent face.

In the same school, I found this beautiful angel. Reminded me of my own girls when I was taking her photo.

Faces tell stories.

Phnom Penh - Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda & Killing Fields

So if you are travelling to Phnom Penh and looking out for some of the main places of interest, these are the few I have personally visited and would recommend. Understand that all there are entrance fees for all the tourism attractions, and payments are either made in USD or KHR, exchange as of now is abt USD1 = KHR4100.

Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda are located in the same premise. To be exact, the Silver Pagoda is inside the Royal Palace premise. So paying US$6.50 per person is actually to visit both place, quite worth it. But do take note of the visiting time, 7.30-11am & 2-5pm.

The main Royal Palace building from the side view. As you can see on the left, some restoration works are in place to ensure the various buildings are properly maintained for the long haul.

Moving toward the left side of the Palace, you will go through a small gate and into the Silver Pagoda area.

On the left is a building turned museum which houses a collection of priceless Buddhist and historical objects. Sorry, no photography inside the museum. On the right is the famous Silver Pagoda which is not open for visit, just photography.

 

I thought the place would be swarmed by monks but quite surprisingly only managed to see one of them, quietly standing in front of a wall of pictures, seemingly mediating on the deeper meanings behind the pictures.

Met a few resident monkeys though.

Thought I would be able to capture the “see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil” photo.

  

Coming back into the main Palace grounds, you will be surprised that you can’t hear the street sounds because it is all silenced by the high walls all around the grounds.

When we were there, it seems like there was an official function going on in the Royal Palace, we can see the fully dressed ceremonial guards on duty, waiting for the distinguished guests.

The Killing Fields (Choeung Ek Memorial) is about 45-60mins away from the main city area, so before you head to the place, I would recommend you to have your lunch first.

My recommendation would be Le Jardin, especially if you are bringing kids like us. The restaurant offers one of the best ice-cream in Phnom Penh and also a nice playground to entertain the children.

 

 

  

Once you had your nice lunch, take a Tuk Tuk to the Killing Fields, it will be for US$20 for a to-and-fro trip, 15km southwest of Phnom Penh.

The entrance fee is US$6 per pax, which includes a personal headset that explains the various points of historical facts and events. Trust me, you need to get the headset to fully appreciate the walk.

The first building you see when you stepped in is the memorial which is not very suitable for kids, because of the numerous skulls that were housed inside.

 

Sign boards like this are situated at various points for reading and understanding what used to stand in its place and purpose.

Mass graves containing more than 8,000 bodies were discovered at Choeung Ek.

There was one particular place that brought tears to many including myself when you hear about the story behind the scene.

On the left is the Killing Tree where the executioners in the past would smash young children and infants against the tree to kill them and dumped immediately into the mass grave on the left.

 

Take your time to slowly walk through the entire field or sit down on the benches provided and spare a few moments listening to the real life testimonies of the mass killing survivors.

Hate to end off on a sad note, but truly it’s such visit that make Phnom Penh a worth it trip.

Phnom Penh - Russian Market & Central Market

Shopping in Phnom Penh is realistically limited to only the Markets, because the Malls are just too expensive comparably and also the fashion is too out-dated for most tourists. Whereas, the Markets provide a greater variety of choices and surprisingly, the shops around Russian Markets are selling some pretty decent clothing.

So first up, the Central Market or Phsar Thmey.

This building is a distinctive landmark in Phnom Penh, a unique art deco interpretation of a traditional market. Four arms of the market converge in a soaring dome at the hub, some say it reflects the four arms of the chaktomuk (the convergence of the Mekong River).

The central section of the main market building displays an amazing collection of gems and jewellery.

Branching off to the four directions are mainly Souvenir vendors offering curios, statuary, handicrafts, silks, t-shirts, postcards, etc.

  

Looking to add on to that G-Shock collection? You can probably find some limited edition (only in Phnom Penh) in this pile too.

There is a stretch of ladies providing manicure and pedicure services too.

If you are done with the interior sections, you have just completed about half of the entire market. The other half is just outside surrounding the dome building (covered by the unique green canopy) with equally fascinating variety of crafts and also some local food, there is also a wet market portion. With the canopies, the entire outdoor market is also very cooling, smart idea.

If you have a strong stomach, then try the local dessert, which looks like some coconut with jelly item.

For Kless and I, the best deal was the local coffee. 2 cups of coffee for KHR5000 (abt US$1.25). If you don’t like it to be too sweet, remember to remind the Uncle to add less milk.

 

Every time I travel overseas, I have wanted to try the hair stylist there, but so far no real courage yet, but as you can see from the photo below, the waiting queue for the business seems very good.

Some shots of the local businesses and people.

 

Before we left the place, accidentally found this interesting craft along one of the narrow lanes, gold craft. The crafters were melting and re-designing the gold jewelleries for the customers on the spot. Amazing!

 

We did not leave without any purchase, at least we got Joey a face mask so that she can be protected on the Tuk Tuk rides.

Secondly, the Russian Market or Phsar Toul Tom Poung.

This market became the foreigner’s market during the 1980’s when most of the foreigners in Cambodia were Russians, hence the name. Unlike the Central Market this is a classic traditional market – a single level collection of stalls and has a larger, more varied selection of souvenirs, curios and silks.

After you have selected your textile, you can bring it over to the many seamstresses available and tailor-make a set of new clothing. For the guys, the tailor-made suits are pretty cheap too, but personally I think the tailor quality in BKK is better.

Food and drink stalls are in the middle of the market.

I would recommend the adventurous eaters to try some of the road side stalls like this which was selling clams.

Or this stall selling sausages.

Of course there are still the ‘safer’ food available. This pineapple seller cuts and skin the pineapple on the spot for you, so I feel is more hygienic.

After trying out the various food, go back in and shop some more.

 

One more tip, remember to exchange your USD for KHR before you head to the markets.