For Westerners, Cambodia is included by default on their must-visit
list for touring Southeast Asia. This might not be the case among Asian
travelers, who tend to visit more renowned and modern countries such as
Japan and South Korea, or even Hong Kong – at least at the time of
writing.
Over the past few years I've been traveling widely, I never thought
about setting foot in Cambodia – let alone exploring it on my own. Now
that I have visited the country, I can say with confidence that it is an
experience I will always cherish.
Cambodia is truly one of a kind. The country seems to scream
uniqueness in its every aspect, from its unusual currency system that
combines US dollars and Cambodian riel, to prehistoric temples standing
in the middle of the French-influenced metropolis of Phnom Penh, and to
the amusing sound of its language. Experiencing this was a little
overwhelming at first, even for an Asian guy like me.
The top cities to visit in Cambodia are Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and
Sihanoukville. For starters, I recommend visiting Phnom Penh first,
before making your way through the rest of the country, since it is
a perfect gateway for adjusting to Cambodia's ambiance.
However, Phnom Penh is said to have fewer tourist
destinations compared to other Southeast Asian capitals like Bangkok and
Ho Chi Minh. This is why I decided to take a one-day tour around Phnom
Penh in an attempt to visit some of its most famous sites.
If you're interested in a day trip exploring the Cambodian
capital, here are some things you might need to know before setting out,
based on the experiences I had during my visit to the city.
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Best transportation modes
I researched the cheapest way to get around Phnom Penh and came
across some great recommendations for taking the city bus. In reality,
though, I had a hard time finding the right buses and bus stations.
Taking the tuk-tuk (motorized rickshaw) might also be
somewhat difficult for foreigners, since the fare is habitually
determined by relationship and tuk-tuk drivers tend to set a
higher baseline fare for foreigners – not to mention the greater risk of
snatching on public transportation.
In the end, I decided to order through Grab instead. Grab is a widely
popular ride-hailing app in Cambodia, and my experience showed it's
relatively easy to make a booking and get a driver in Phnom Penh. Even
better, you can still experience the joy of riding a tuk-tuk by ordering Grab Tuk-Tuk, which I tried once with excitement during my one day in Phnom Penh.
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Places worth visiting
Despite the limited options, taking a one-day tour in Phnom Penh can
be hectic if you don't sort out the places you want to visit beforehand.
Most destinations are temples and landmarks, and most are very pretty
so choosing between them could be harder than you might think. I suggest
taking into account the travel time between destinations and plan a
relatively linear route to avoid going back and forth to save valuable
time.
Wat Phnom
is a beautiful temple in the center of the city and a perfect choice.
Getting there isn't hard, since it is practically the focal point of
Phnom Penh.
The first pagoda in Wat Phnom was built in 1372. Enter the temple to
experience the mesmerizing golden statue – something you won't find
anywhere else.
Another place worth visiting is Royal Palace Park. Here, you will see
the rare temple-shaped palace that stands in a modern, Western-like
area. Lay down on the lawn and have a moment of relaxation
while enjoying the chirping birds and the stunning view.
Stay safe
Phnom Penh in particular is known for being occasionally unsafe for
foreigners, which is unfortunate. The most common street crimes are
snatching bags and stealing bicycles. It is always advisable to take
only one small bag and keep it on your body at all times.
When taking public transportation like tuk-tuk, sit in the
middle of the vehicle. Another thing I found useful was to look alert
and like you know where you're going. Walk straight and fast, even when
you're not entirely sure of your direction, and avoid looking at Google
Maps for too long. That way, you'll avoid looking like a lost tourist
and avoid becoming a target.
If you are Caucasian, take extra safety measures and avoid talking to suspicious people that might try and scam you.
What to wear
Planning your journey is good, but be sure to go the extra mile and plan ahead on what you'll wear during your trip.
As it sits near the equator, Cambodia has its own share of direct
sunlight, and sunburn can spoil your entire day. So, wear lightweight
and sweat-absorbing clothes that will keep you cool while protecting
your skin.
Also, do note that most Asian cultures prefer more proper
attire, which means it's best to stay away from tank tops and shorts.
Heading out in a pair of loose jeans and a light-colored T-shirt is
advisable, as this will help you to blend in well yet is still practical
to keep your body from retaining excessive heat.
What to eat
Finally, treat yourself to some great dishes you won’t find anywhere
else. The streets of Phnom Penh has a lot to offer, both day and night.
Treat your taste buds to the myriad street food you will find easily in
the city, and be sure to give traditional dishes a try.
I personally loved Fish Amok, one of Cambodia's national dishes. The
full-bodied dish's creamy coconut texture stole my heart. I remember
coming across a recommendations online to try red tree ants, which
literally has red ants in it. Lots of ants. If you enjoy the Fear Factor, go ahead and try it. Don’t forget to let us know how it tastes.
All in all, Phnom Penh is a must-visit when exploring Cambodia. While
the country is famous for its many temples and ancient structures,
including the glorious Angkor Wat in Siem Reap, Phnom Penh is more than
the usual fare. Coming here will give you a sense of what it feels like
to live in a country rich in history and tradition, yet also
contemporary in its own way.
Source - TheJakartaPost
Harya Danniswara is an avid traveler and writer for Life For Experts, a website for travelers to share their experiences, insights and tips on travel, food and life values. Find him on Instagram and Twitter.