Birt: 29.02.2024
The journey in the minivan 🚐 to Phnom Penh took 6 hours and was really entertaining. The driver stopped every 2 hours at gas stations or restaurants with clean toilets. And we met a nice Canadian and talked a lot. In Phnom Penh we took a tuk tuk to the hostel. Everything was easy… two large bags, backpacks and three people no problem. And yes, we actually ventured to the Mad Monkey Hostel. However, a double room with bathroom for us alone and not a dormitory. Very cool concept and ideal for young people. With beer pong, pool party, co working space and lots of chilled out corners to relax. The room was clean and the air conditioning worked great.
Phnom Penh itself didn't excite us so much, maybe we need more time. During the day everything is great, food everywhere, cafes, markets and of course the sights. The Royal Palace, the Silver Pagoda, Central Market, the National Museum, the Genocide Museum and the Killing Fields from the Khmer War of 1975 to 1979, in which over 3 million rural people were tortured and killed. As always, you can buy everything at the Central Market. What's funny is that there are also hairdressers, silver jewelry manufacturers, sewing shops, sewing shops and other crafts right between the stalls. The skyline also grows from year to year and the bridges over the Mekong are really impressive. In the evening the city is deserted, there are only a few spots or individual bars where you can sit comfortably after 8 p.m. No pedestrian zone, no nice night market or anything like that. It's fun to get a ride in a tuk tuk, it's super easy with the Grab app and costs around 1 to 2 euros per trip.
The people here, especially the young ones, are super nice and when you start a conversation, they often say Welcome to Cambodia, I am proud and happy that you visit my country.
After a day and a half we continue along the Mekong Delta to Ho Chi Minh / Saigon by a very comfortable bus for 29 dollars including luggage.