The Snowlady Chronicles: Getting to Know Phnom Penh

November 14, 2009

Getting to Know Phnom Penh

Saturday Nov. 14, 2009

Day One in Phnom Penh, Cambodia

80-90F and Humid, Tropical

My first impression of Cambodia? Groovy and Laid Back. I arrived in Phnom Penh around 10pm. Since I got my visa on-line, I was out of immigration in about 5 minutes, bags came 10 minutes later and then saw a sign greeting me from Kasol, our guide for Phnom Penh. An air-conditioned Camry decorated in Hello Kitty motif then whisked me away to my hotel - the Anise Hotel.

Although it was only about 1030pm in Phnom Penh, the streets were dark, all the stores were closed and there was hardly anyone on the streets. Kasol said that the city goes to sleep by 11pm usually except for some private clubs so it's best I go straight to my room and rest to get ready for the busy day we were having tomorrow. He got no argument from me as I probably only had 5 hours of sleep in the last two days. So checked into my lovely room, took a nice hot shower and crashed. Slept like a baby as it was so quiet until I was awaken by a huge "Boom". Thought it was a bomb or explosion but just a passing thunderstorm, so went back to bed and did not wake up until about 8am which is very late for me.

I had the morning free to myself as my BFF and best travel buddy Sandra wasn't arriving until around noon. I had a wonderful breakfast of chicken soup and fresh green mango juice with a not so good coffee and then went out to explore the town. It seems even at 9am with all the stores open, Phnom Penh is slow to wake up. The tourists of course, were full of energy, despite the heat and humidity, but the locals were just taking their time, napping and slowly starting their morning chores. I walked around the neighborhood to find that the hotel is located in the chi-chi area of Phnom Penh and is surrounded with mansions and walking distance to the palace and government buildings.

Kasol told me last night that although the city was laid out by the French during the colonization of Indochina by the French, hardly anyone speaks French these days. English is the main language taught in schools and those lucky enough to attend school, all speak fluent English.

After walking around the town for about an 2 hours, I headed back to the hotel all hot and sweaty. Phnom Penh is only about 12 sqkm with about 3million people. But the city is not crowded and no one is in a rush. It's colorful, dotted with gorgeous tropical flowers, with very friendly and laid back people. I felt like I went back in time, the time when Michener and Greene wrote about Indochina.

Our room in Hotel Anise. It had an old atmosphere with modern amenities like AIR CONDITIONING!!

View from one of the windows in our room

The street in front of our hotel during "morning rush hour"

A common sight in the morning.

Our hotel was a block away from mansions and expensive apartments made for expats.

A mansion near our hotel

All the street signs were in English

But occasionally, I found a remnant of the past.

"Go" seems to be a favorite morning game for men to play

Gorgeous tropical flowers everywhere.

After 2 hours, the heat got to me, so went back to the hotel. This is the hotel terrace where you can have breakfast, a drink, lunch and even dinner.

I had my first tamarind juice with roasted peanuts - very refreshing!

Sandra arrived around 1130am. After she refreshed, it was time to be "tourist". Kasol, our wonderful guide is to the right. Mr. Prom, our driver is to the left. Mr. Prom decorated the Camry for us.