Phnom Penh: The Nice of the East

By TravelWiseAug 31, 2012 07:44 AMOther
Share:
Phnom Penh: The Nice of the East
Phnom Penh: The Nice of the East

The burning rays of the tropical sun were now a distant memory and had been replaced by a cool evening breeze, which was a godsend for exploring Phnom Penh. Work had finished for the day and couples and families were unfurling their blankets in the parks or already busy eating from their hampers. It would be like this until the last rays of sun set over the Mekong, and then the exercises would start. Group fitness classes held on the promenade, impromptu dance rehearsals to the sounds of popular Western groups. It is all a lifetime away from Cambodia’s bloody past that was ripping the nation apart little more than a decade ago and a sure sign of development in Phnom Penh.

As I started exploring Phnom Penh I realised the city is on the cusp of a development boom. Lights from new buildings that were absent less than a decade ago flicker on the far bank of the river. The shell of a half finished skyscraper lies silhouetted against the skyline. The design reminiscent of buildings in Dubai. For the moment it is still a nice balance of the old and the new, but how long it will stay that way remains uncertain.

Exploring Phnom Penh I noticed Buddhist monks walking in the shade of their bright orange umbrellas or carrying computer bags as they hurry to and from classes are the human embodiment of this change. It is easy to see the link here with the past, and yet as you watch them chatter away on their mobile phones you realise that nothing stays the same. This will probably be one of the last generations where every Cambodian family considers sending a son into the Buddhist monasteries to be trained as a monk. As the Cambodian economy grows, so do the aspirations of its people.

It is easy to understand why the French fell in love with the city. The evenings are fresh without the dry heat of the South of France. With little standing water there are few mosquitoes and almost no malaria. All the benefits of the tropics without the drawbacks. In fact, while exploring Phnom Penh I started to fall in love with the city and in a day dream imagined what it would be like to live here.

As I walked around exploring Phnom Penh during the day, tourist guides will try and entice you on day trips. They’ll show you a picture board of the killing fields where so many lives were cut short by the regime of Pol Pot, or the Genocide Museum, which sit quite without irony next to advertisements for an army shooting range where you can fire a rocket propelled grenade launcher for $350. Still, there was little more than a few days sightseeing to be done in the city before I decided it was time to move on to Siem Reap and Angkor Wat temple.

While you are in Phnom Penh you should definitely do some shopping, after learning a bit about the secret of bargaining of course. If you do decide to shop, forget about the dilapidated Russian Market with its many stalls selling cheap Chinese imports. Instead head to the newly renovated Central Market. The place is a hive of activity offering everything from fake iphones to factory reject designer goods. The quality of products varies greatly, so take your time. Still, it’s a nice feeling going in with a $100 and leaving with more stuff than you can physically carry, it’s a great way to finish exploring Phnom Penh!

Top Articles
Top 14 all-inclusive Marriott resorts: Cool locations for fun adventures and wish fulfillment

Top 14 all-inclusive Marriott resorts: Cool locations for fun adventures and wish fulfillment

Mar 28, 2024 19:55 PM
Top 10 great hotels in Kefalonia: the perfect vacation in the middle of the Ionian Sea

Top 10 great hotels in Kefalonia: the perfect vacation in the middle of the Ionian Sea

Mar 28, 2024 16:17 PM

The best California resorts for a flawless vacation, stacked with recommendations and traveler reviews

Mar 28, 2024 11:18 AM

Top 9 hotels in Atlantic City: with luxury accommodations, beautiful ocean views and exclusive entertainment

Mar 27, 2024 21:49 PM
More News
Aerial view of buildings during daytime

Discovering Bristol's Vibrant Music Scene in a Day

Mar 29, 2024 10:30 AM
Female chef preparing some kind of dessert

Four Seasons Hotel in Washington, D.C., celebrates spring

Mar 29, 2024 09:34 AM

Sicilian Adventures: From Palermo to Mount Etna

Mar 29, 2024 08:30 AM

Delta Air Lines Prepares to Unveil March Quarter 2024 Financial Highlights

Mar 29, 2024 07:35 AM
A large jetliner sitting on top of an airport tarmac

Norse Atlantic Takes a Gamble on London to Las Vegas Route

Mar 29, 2024 06:30 AM
Microphone in the evening hall

Festival "After Dark" at Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans featuring jazz trumpeter Branden Lewis

Mar 29, 2024 05:33 AM
Three zodiac signs have significant financial prospects in 2024

Three zodiac signs have significant financial prospects in 2024

Mar 29, 2024 05:30 AM
The number of refusals of entry to Vietnam for tourists is increasing

The number of refusals of entry to Vietnam for tourists is increasing

Mar 29, 2024 05:02 AM
Total Solar Eclipse

Total Solar Eclipse 2024: A Spectacular Sky Event Affecting US Air Travel

Mar 29, 2024 04:30 AM

Four Seasons Hotel Houston Presents the 5th Annual Charity Event "Celebrity Chefs Against Cancer

Mar 29, 2024 03:36 AM

Dreams and desires of the three zodiac signs will come true: horoscope for 2024

Mar 29, 2024 03:30 AM
A large jetliner flying through a cloudy blue sky

Japan Sets Its Sights on a Revolutionary Next-Gen Passenger Jet

Mar 29, 2024 02:30 AM
Close-up of an eye with a solar eclipse reflected in the pupil

FAA Gears Up for Spring Break Rush and the Great North American Eclipse

Mar 29, 2024 01:32 AM
New opportunities for Aries and long-awaited rest for Virgo: Horoscope for all zodiac signs for March 29

New opportunities for Aries and long-awaited rest for Virgo: Horoscope for all zodiac signs for March 29

Mar 29, 2024 01:31 AM
A large blue airplane is on the runway

The Lufthansa-ITA Merger: A Complex Route to Consolidation

Mar 29, 2024 00:30 AM

Tourists who will conquer Everest will have to take an unexpected thing with them on the journey

Mar 28, 2024 23:58 PM

"Anniversary Sale": Holland America Line announces holiday discounts on cruises

Mar 28, 2024 23:51 PM
Three zodiac signs will plunge into relationships

Three zodiac signs will plunge into relationships

Mar 28, 2024 23:45 PM
A dimly lit airplane cabin with rows of seats and personal entertainment screens

United Airlines Introduces a New Era of In-flight Entertainment This April

Mar 28, 2024 23:30 PM
The space cable car in Singapore: tourists are excited about the design

The space cable car in Singapore: tourists are excited about the design

Mar 28, 2024 23:10 PM
Copenhagen

Top 10 unforgettable experiences in the magical city of Copenhagen

Mar 28, 2024 22:52 PM
A large jetliner sitting on top of an airport runway

Condor's Strategic Move: Year-Round Frankfurt-Miami Flights

Mar 28, 2024 22:30 PM

10 locations in Berlin to visit in 2024

Mar 28, 2024 22:06 PM

Delta is the last airline to raise baggage fees

Mar 28, 2024 21:49 PM
Tourist woman reading a guidebook in front of a historic building

United Nations Collaborates for Sustainable Urban Tourism

Mar 28, 2024 21:35 PM
Appearance comes first for them: The zodiac signs that are focused on themselves are named

Appearance comes first for them: The zodiac signs that are focused on themselves are named

Mar 28, 2024 21:10 PM