Phnom Penh

One of the many mass graves
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The taxi ride to Phnom Penh from Siem Reap was surprisingly comfortable. We had heard terrible reports from fellow travellers about the condition of the roads here in Cambodia but it turns out the main road between the two cities is one of the only decent ones. We got to see a lot of the countryside on the way and it is surprisingly lush and green. There are so many shanty towns along the way and people living in terrible conditions in what can only be described as shacks a little off the road. We stopped in one town to pick up some snacks and the dirt was unbelieveable.....people living in pure squaller. Needless to say we only picked up things that were in a sealed bag!!

National Museum
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Our accommodation here is slightly down graded - for the grand price of $5each a night we have our own en-suite room in a guest house. Getting around the city is relatively easy and is mainly done in a tuk tuk. 1-2$ per trip or $5each for our own driver for the day.

At first I wasn't impressed with Phnom Penh as we ended up walking through the Central Market which is crazy. Tuk tuks and motos everywhere. Kids playing in rubbish with little to no clothes on....men hassling you for a lift all the time, people staring, filthy, dirty food stalls with all sorts for sale. The most bizarre thing for sale here is petrol. They have stalls on every corner with about  8-10 litre glass coke bottles full of petrol (I assume illegal) and tuk tuks and motos pull up and fill up for less then 1 euro. Petrol is spilled all over the  ground and the kids are playing so near it and people are smoking. For that reason I don't want to go back there. However the Russian Market is worth a visit - a bit cleaner and the food stalls inside are reasoable. We had lunch for 3dollars between us there yesterday. There is a good variety of gifts on offer also and you get hassled less than on the street.

Some of the skulls on display at monument at The Killing Fields
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We took in TheKilling Fields and S21 museum - it was a sobering experience. Hard to believe it happened such a short time ago - worth doing if in Phnom Penh if only to learn more about it.

Sisowath Quay is the area we have been spending most of our time as it is lined with nice bars and restaurants and shops. Most tourists hang out here so it is safe. My travel buddies left for home this morning so as of now I am going solo.......!

Clothes that were on some of the victims.
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The Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda and near where I am staying (I moved to Sisowath Quay after they left) which is California 21 guesthouse. I will head to the palace first thing in the morning before heading to the west coast town of Sihanoukville for a few days at the beach - I went to the palace today but was told I had to cover up!! The cheek.....!