Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Took the 7.30am bus (USD$6)
to Phnom Penh. Phnom Penh is the capital of Cambodia with a population of around 1.5 million people. The city was a French colony during the middle of 19th century and became independent in 1953. The city population increased to 2 million refugrees during as the Vietnam War spread into Cambodia. When the Khmer Rouge took over, the city population was evacuated to the country side. The city was divided into multiple zone and the different factions of Khmer Rouge was in charged of the different zones. The population in the city then was just 50,000.
The city was only repopulated when the Vietnamese defeated the Khmer Rouge in 1979.
Arrived at the bus station around 1.30pm. Walked south on Monivong street to Lucky Lucky a motorcycle rental shop which I found on LP book.
Rented a motorcycle (USD$5) for the day,
gas here cost around USD$1 for a liter. Stayed at Sunday Guesthouse (USD$5)
a night around Psar O Russei area.
Street food for lunch (6000 Riel~USD$1.50)
I did a U turn right in front of a no turning sign and unfortunately the police was just waiting right beside. I didn’t realize they are wearing the light blue uniform. I heard that usually police wanted a lot of bribes from foreigners but locals just pay USD$2. I asked them to take me to the police station but the police gave an excuse that I have to wait here until 7pm. I knew that they wanted bribes, after walking around and negotiating, finally paid them USD$5 because by delaying, time will be more costly. The police seemed to be pretty useless because another tourist came and told them that someone just robbed him of USD$200 but they just pretended that they don’t get it.
It’s my mistake after all and this is a good reminder for me to be more careful on the motorbike.
Grand Assembly
Grand Palace (USD$6), which I didn’t go in, a picture outside is sufficient for me.
National museum (USD$3)
There aren’t a lot to see in the museum, just a few artifacts/statues
but there’s a nice garden in the museum.
Beside the Tonle Sap River.
View from Wat Pho
Biked around the city for the rest of the day.
Dinner, beef noodle soup (6000 Riel~USD$1.5)
