Phnom Penh

We really enjoyed Phnom Penh and its people. Beautiful architecture, large avenues, and a generally good ambiance.

The hotel where we were staying on our first night in Phnom Penh was a bit far from the centre so the next morning we set out to find something closer to the action. We found a really nice place and very reasonably priced right on the riverfront, the Mekong Palace Hotel. Nice view from the 4th floor balcony, friendly staff and great location. We got to go for our first tuk-tuk ride because there was no way we were going to walk the 5 km to town with our backpacks and I have to say that tuk-tuks are a great way to see a city.

There was a holiday mood in the air in the streets of Phnom Penh as the capital city celebrated the King Father’s Birthday on October 31. For the next few days, it was national holiday and the city’s riverbanks were taken over by Cambodians who had come to attend a three-day Water Festival where 100 teams from every province took part in dragon boat races. On each night, there were fireworks and a parade of colourfully lighted boats on the river. A Cambodian version of the good old “chars allégoriques” in a Saint-Jean parade on Sherbooke street!

The Sisowath Quay Avenue that follows the Tonle Sap River is full of little French style cafes with big comfortable chairs that simply invite you to sit lazily and watch the thousands of locals walking up and down the avenue, making their way to the Royal Palace in front of which grandstands were installed to view the competition. They even had a section for foreign tourists hosted by the Tourism Ministry.

All was going smoothly, until the third day. That’s when it happened... Tom picked up his shaver and went for it. I guess he got tired of being so hot. Went directly for the top of his head, no turning back, no more hair!!! I was amazed; one second I am quietly reading and the next I see Tom with his skull partially shaved. So I helped him finish the job. Did a better job than when I tried to shave Capucine, my cat, by myself!

Check out the pictures – Tom actually looks good with such short hair. :)