Just Back from Phnom Penh
 

I decided to spend a long weekend in PP to finish up my research. Bangkok was its usual over-cast gloom when I left, but PP was bright and sunny when I arrived. The same thing happened in Chiang Mai a few weeks ago, so I guess sunshine follows me where-ever I go. :-P

I decided to stay at the Amanjaya Pancam Hotel. The location is about as good as it gets. The hotel is right on the river-front a block from the National Museum and Royal Palace. My Deluxe room was quite large, with rosewood floors and furniture, silk fabrics all around, including the drapes and an equally large bathroom with seperated tub, shower and toilet. Even with a sofa, two armchairs, a large coffee table, TV cabinet, desk with chair and a king size bed, the room was rather sparsly furnished for a hotel! The large windows faced the river and there is a small balcony where you could sit in the evening and watch people stroll along the quay. The hotel has only 20 rooms, and there are some 'panorama suites' on the corner that have views of both the river and the palace.

I re-visited the Royal Palace on Saturday morning. My first visit had been a real snap and dash late in the afternoon a few months ago. To get the best pictures, you really have to go in the morning. As I said, the weather was unusually good and in sorting through the pictures last night, I think I got some of the best shots I've ever taken.

The national museum was pleasantly cool and gives you a chance to see some of the original statues from the Angkor complex up close. Anyone going to PP later this year should note that there will be a special exhibition of works by Auguste Rodin at the museum. The show celebrates the 100th anniversary of a visit by King Sisowath to Paris, which inspired several works by Rodin. They were busy remodelling one wing of the musuem while I was there. Presumably they are adding air conditioning.

Finally got to the Russian Market, which makes the old section of Chatuchuk look roomy and cool. But the shopping is good. A lot of US casual brands like Eddie Bauer, Old Navy and Columbia are made in Cambodia, so you can buy them here at less than a quarter their price in the USA.

Food: Friends was great, as was Riverhouse (note: couscous is a dish for two!). Morning coffee and muffin at Fresco (FCC), great green chicken curry sandwich at Metro, delicious banana crumpet at The Shop and a perfect cooling lemon sorbet at Bong Bong.

sounds great thanks for the report...

hope to see you at 4PM on nov 6 at the marriott riverside....

bob

In case anyone is interested, I've uploaded lots of pictures of this trip to my travel journal. See: http://chiengfa.com/gallery2/main.ph...;g2_itemId=163

great pics....thanks...makes me want to go and visit....

Thanks Michael - makes me want to go back (and thats despite bringing a bonus friend home last time that took some time to get rid of).

The Aman looks lovely and I was a bit surprised at the cost from their website - cheaper than I expected. We stayed at the FCC which was good (only 3 rooms) and very convenient but not as nice as the Aman! Friends is great isn't it - I see they have a cookbook out now. Also the yoghurt at the FCC was the best I've ever had anywhere.

Maybe next year I'll get back. Thanks again.

Michael, how's the economy going there ? What is your general overall opinion of the place compared to 'here'.

It's really hard to get a bead on the economy in Cambodia. As I found out on my first trip to PP in May, there's a lot going on under the surface. The average western tourist probably doesn't even know there are casinos in Phnom Penh, but I now know there are at least 40 to 50 of them.

From the number of clothes I have with "Made in Cambodia" on the label, I gather there's a fair amount of investment and trade going on. As in many other countries around Southeast Asia, with the rough condition of many streets and all the kids on the street, it begs the question "where does all the money go?" Of course, unlike many of its neighbors, Cambodia has years of neglect and downright destruction to overcome, so even with a 'good' economy it's probably going to be a while before you see big improvements.

More about Friends: I swear, even once the place was full up, the staff to customer ratio is close to 1:1. Since I was by myself, I went for a weekly special of beef tacos instead of tapas. They were definitely the best I've had in SE Asia, but that's not saying much.