Cambodia is recovering from a devastating and recent history but Phnom Penh is not overwhelmed with sadness. Instead it is busy with people building their lives. It also has a large and ever increasing ex-pat community that have comfortably and quite understandably chosen to settle in the city.
The Central Market is bustling with market sellers selling everything from clothes and furniture to art and food. The market is a massive maze and a shoppers heaven - it is worth getting in on the well priced goods and giving your haggling skills a try - bag a bargain or few and get to know the locals at the same time.
Feast on anything from traditional Khmer street food to an English pub meal. There are many restaurants and cafes that serve good western food. Friends is a restaurant that must be visited. It is part of a non-profit organisation that helps kids off the street and trains them to be waiters and chefs. They make pastas, salads, sandwiches as well as traditional South East Asian foods. The staff are attentive, the atmosphere vibrant and the food is some of the best in Phnom Penh - so everyones happy. Other restaurants include the Garden Centre Cafe which offers tranquility in the heart of Phnom Penh, serving homemade food from enchiladas to English breakfasts and burgers as well as a variety of deserts. There is a lot of choice on Lakeside, also known as the backpackers resort. If you want to get away from the backpackers central then Riverside also has a road full of restaurants.You'll be spoilt for choice.
The best and most fun way to get around is on a motto, which costs between 1-3 dollars a journey. Be safe while on one of these, the Cambodians are not known for their road safety. If there is more than one or two of you then get a tuk tuk which will cost about 3-6 dollars.
To get an idea of the history visits the killing fields. It's worth getting a guide here otherwise it is quite difficult to know what you are looking at and where to go. Also visit the Tuol Sleng prison and genocide museum, which will be a heart breaking experience, but worthwhile and an essential to getting to grips with cities past.
While there it is always nice to visit one of the many orphanages in the city. The kids are always excited to have visitors and will entertain, or expect to be entertained for hours. If you are considering donating then the best thing to do is take learning materials or donate food. Due to the corruption in many, but not all, organisations giving money directly is not a advised.
Phnom Penh has a charming affect on it's visitors making a little go a long way. It is ever changing while still keeping it's authenticity.
While there you can book a bus to Siem Reap to see the famous Angkor Wat temples which will simply take your breath away with the mere size, intricate details and interesting tales of these ruins.
Let a tuk-tuk or moto taxi driver take you to the two sites for around $5 per person. Toul Sleng is in the city centre, but Choeung Ek is miles out along hellish roads
Located near the Central Bus Station, you can't really miss it. Every taxi driver knows the location. Phsar Thmey is the Khmer name.
On the edge of Boeung Kak lake, to the north of the train station. Follow the path left as you come to the Mosque and keep going until you can't go any further.
The street food in Phnom Penh is the cheapest way to eat and doesn't taste that bad either. Go to the Russia Market or just a bit beyond Lakeside and the streets will be lined with shelters and outdoors tables and chairs.
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