Phnom Penh experience

The Cambodia capital. The city of dark shadows with a difficult past and not so easy present.

We wanted to postpone this post because we have visited Phnom Penh twice. First, it had been moreless just as an overnight stay and a stop between the Kampot and the Kratie. Second time, for the two nights, to see some of the city's highlights.

Both visits, we were staying in the "G Eleven" hotel. Which we had chosen cause it's walking distance from the main attractions of the Royal palace and the National museum. And also, cause it has a pool. Which turned out to be really the most important facility to have when traveling with (our) kids. Especially if within the city. And we have used it also practically as a place where we can easily and safely leave one of our big backpacks for couple of days.

Family room, aircon, private bathroom, one large "4-bed" space and a simple breakfast included. Missing any spirit but very practical place. 25$/night. Rating 7/10.

The difficult past, not only of the city, but of the whole country dates back to the 1974-1979 when the Red Khmers killed some 25% of the country population. The historical consequences are not easy and usually complicated. In this case involving US brutal bombing (to stop communist from the Vietnam). Resulting in communists ("Red" Pol Pot) gaining support (Russian) to force most of the people from the cities to leave their homes and relocate to the countryside to work hard. Creating the brighter future for all through a hard labour work and living in poor conditions with almost no food. Which was still the better life option.

Lukas visited the "S21". One of many torture prisons where majority of the guards were still teenagers. Chosen just by being uneducated and easily manipulated. During those 4 years some 14-20k people were interrogated by being brutally tortured and than killed here or at the place of mass killings behind the city "The Killing Fields". Adults, kids, families. Intelligence. Monks....

The place bears too strong message to fully describe. Its just under your skin. And you will never forget it. There is an evil in manipulation. And the only way to guarantee this is not going to happen again is an education. The history might repeat itself anytime. (And it repeats. In Syria now..) Just be sure to understand that it's much more realistic to happen to you, your family, kids, friends than you have ever thought.... Anyone fighting against the education and infornation freedom is potentially helping another genocide...

Uff. Trully tough subject. So let's move forward. As we moved after a lunch that afternoon. First to the National museum

(10$/adult), worth a visit especially for the pre-angkorian and angkorian statues and bronze hindu and buddhist works collections. And later on to the Royal palace (10$/adult), which is actually a complex of temples. And definitely worth visiting.

The rest of the time we spent in the hotel's pool and in the nearby street's. Especially Lukas, Matej and Bara having evening drinks. The pool was not very clean but still seemed less filthy than the streets where hostels has to announce that neither guns, drugs and prostitution is accepted. Well, the city of shadows from past and the present.

Note 1: Just a small warning: Sometimes someone from a passing by motorcycle wants to steal belongings. No matter what it causes to you. Make sure you carry your backpack on both arms when walking and always think of securing it when in tuk-tuk.

Note 2: Tuk-tuk drivers try to overcharge massively. Use iTsumo or PassApp Taxi apps to get a realistic rides or pricing insight.

Note 3: There are two decent playgrounds in the centre. One is close to the Wat Phnom and the other not so far to the Royal Palace.