Cambodia: Phnom Penh

We are back from our tour through the Mekong Delta, marking the end of our Vietnam adventure. On to Cambodia and the capital Phnom Penh.

Unfortunately, time is running out, so we will only be able to get a brief impression of the country. With an organized bus ride, we cross the border, although Sebastian is already fearing the loss of his passport as the bus attendant disappears with the passports of all passengers for more than an hour and takes care of the entry formalities for us. He reappears in the end, with the visa in the passport. Everything is fine.

Upon arriving in Phnom Penh, we first break through the wall of tuk-tuk drivers surrounding us, only to end up riding with the most insistent one of all.

Our hotel is located near the riverside promenade and the Royal Palace in a small tourist street. In the evening, we enjoy a decadent dinner at a bar called "Friends", with various delicacies: tapas instead of rice with X.

The next morning is dedicated to sightseeing. Conveniently, the temple Wat Ounalom, which used to be the central meeting point for Buddhists in Cambodia, is just around the corner. Already at the entrance, all the big and small golden domes are shining at us, a few monks are hanging around in the shade, and we can hardly believe that this complex has been here for almost 600 years. After this spiritual start, we immediately indulge in consumption again, in a true temple of consumption: the Psar Thmei. Here you can find everything from clothing to accessories to electronics and more... Another highly praised market is the Russian Market in the south of the city. We also pay it a visit, but we're not so impressed.

By the way, it's hot here and the humidity is taking its toll on us. Nevertheless, Sebastian believes that most distances can be easily covered on foot. At the end of the day, his feet hurt and Lisa's head hurts. Will we learn from this? Not really, but we can skip the visit to the Royal Palace today. At the entrance, they inform us that the dress code is particularly strict here and that it is not sufficient for a woman, in Lisa's case, to cover her shoulders "only" with a scarf. Well, the entrance fee is disproportionately expensive anyway. Thanks and goodbye. We prefer to go to the National Museum of Cambodia. This time, we pass the admission control, but we had hoped for more considering the relatively high entrance fee.

If you delve into Cambodia's recent history, you inevitably come across the chapter of the Khmer Rouge. Their reign of terror lasted for several years, and the genocide of the Cambodian people is unforgettable. To ensure that it remains so, the so-called Killing Fields can still be visited today. These are the places where the Khmer Rouge forced people to work for them and later executed them. Visiting the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek near Phnom Penh is one of the most impressive and saddest moments of our trip. If you are planning to go there yourself, invest a few riel in the audio guide. It is really well done.

Three days in Phnom Penh are enough for us. We are eagerly looking forward to our next destination: the legendary temples of Angkor Wat.