Cambodia IV
by prudence on 07-Dec-2012
I was lucky enough to spend a week in Cambodia at the end of November. My fourth visit to a country I really love. This was a working trip, so there wasn't much time for leisure, but what there was I made sure to fill right up...
Phnom Penh is actually one of my favourite "smaller cities". There's a lot of green space and gracefulness, and many lovely buildings bear witness to its various historical phases. It's changing, of course, and much is already different from my first visit in 2005. It's easy to decry the "ugly" modern development that is transforming its formerly low-rise skyline. But of course no city can remain in aspic for the benefit of its tourists. Let's just hope the changes ultimately produce a more liveable city for all its inhabitants.
I was accommodated at the thoroughly recommendable Villa Langka, which particularly gets 11/10 for their elegantly excellent breakfast buffet.
Along with colleagues, I renewed acquaintance with the Foreign Correspondents Club -- a cliche, to be sure, but it's hard to beat its breezy posi.
Not sure about the "Titanic" bit of the Bopha Phnom Penh Titanic Restaurant, but the river views are great, and the fish amok is excellent.
Wish I could remember the name of a superb Vietnamese restaurant very near the Villa Langka... Excellent Vietnamese-style pancakes and spring rolls... All very fresh, light, and delicious.
If you're on your own, and you've already done the main sights of Phnom Penh, these outfits offer something a little different:
Cambodia Uncovered does great day trips to nearby provinces, complete with a guided tour of Cambodia's more outlandish snacks for your morning refreshment, a more orthodox and immaculately presented picnic lunch, and fascinating stories of Cambodian life past and present.
Urban Adventures provide an easy and sociable way to get to Mekong Island.
And a colleague introduced me to Khmer Architecture Tours. Thoughtfully planned and knowledgeably led, these tours offer a really fantastic way of getting to see a very different side of Phnom Penh.
Love Cambodia...
Phnom Penh is actually one of my favourite "smaller cities". There's a lot of green space and gracefulness, and many lovely buildings bear witness to its various historical phases. It's changing, of course, and much is already different from my first visit in 2005. It's easy to decry the "ugly" modern development that is transforming its formerly low-rise skyline. But of course no city can remain in aspic for the benefit of its tourists. Let's just hope the changes ultimately produce a more liveable city for all its inhabitants.
I was accommodated at the thoroughly recommendable Villa Langka, which particularly gets 11/10 for their elegantly excellent breakfast buffet.
Along with colleagues, I renewed acquaintance with the Foreign Correspondents Club -- a cliche, to be sure, but it's hard to beat its breezy posi.
Not sure about the "Titanic" bit of the Bopha Phnom Penh Titanic Restaurant, but the river views are great, and the fish amok is excellent.
Wish I could remember the name of a superb Vietnamese restaurant very near the Villa Langka... Excellent Vietnamese-style pancakes and spring rolls... All very fresh, light, and delicious.
If you're on your own, and you've already done the main sights of Phnom Penh, these outfits offer something a little different:
Cambodia Uncovered does great day trips to nearby provinces, complete with a guided tour of Cambodia's more outlandish snacks for your morning refreshment, a more orthodox and immaculately presented picnic lunch, and fascinating stories of Cambodian life past and present.
Urban Adventures provide an easy and sociable way to get to Mekong Island.
And a colleague introduced me to Khmer Architecture Tours. Thoughtfully planned and knowledgeably led, these tours offer a really fantastic way of getting to see a very different side of Phnom Penh.
Love Cambodia...