The beginning in Phnom Penh

So our trip to the land of Cambodia began after a night stay at Concorde Inn, KL. My very first impression of Phnom Penh was through the cabin windows up in the skies. The outskirts of Phnom Penh is a bed of paddy fields, divided by the Mekong River that runs through the horizon and houses parked mostly by the river side. As we flew nearer inland, more developments were visible. Lands are almost completely flat throughout and we could see puddles of flood, here and there. It must have been raining the past few days. Darn…!

Guess what we found tucked in front of our seats in this month’s Travel 360’ issue. How appropriate :D

We made a mistake of not taking pictures of the Phnom Penh airport, for being such a poor country, it was physically much more appealing to the eyes than Brunei’s =\

.The Pavilion.

Our home for a night in Phnom Penh was built in the 1930s for King Sihanouk’s mother Queen Kossamak who wanted to be near Wat Botum. Through a small gate, we were led past a lap pool to a beautiful villa surrounded by cushioned wooden lounge chairs. Nassiba was there to receive us, her French accent made us curious and to our disbelief she’s from Tajistan. She’s now working on a new eco-resort project in Koh Rong, south of Cambodia, building solar panels and all, "making compulsory the use of renewable energy sources, the waste management, the used-water treatment and the offset of greenhouse gases emissions) and forbidding polluting equipments (diesel power generation, cars, motorcycles)". Whilst I was busy checking us in, and sorting out our transport to Siem Reap the next day, the boys found it most vital to find internet access. The need to change their player formation for the Fantasy Football game is far more important than anything else. I tried to understand. . .Huuhuuhuu.

Pavilion lives up to its past lodgers’ description, it is unique and homey. You can really picture this place as your own house.

I’ve always liked to believe, a balcony with a nice view is the perfect ending to a room no matter how big/small.

Our plan was to get Russian Market out of the way today and focus on visiting palaces and monuments tomorrow, but it’s just our luck that tomorrow is the beginning of a very important public holiday and a number of shops are closed as people are busy preparing for it. It is the Ancestor Worship day, the Cambodian P'chum Ben Festival (what i'd like to believe is similar to the Chinese Hungry Ghost Festival), where people pay respects to and remember the people who are roots of their existence. So we took a couple of tuk-tuks down to the river front and explored on foot. By 6pm, the sun has completed its shift.

.Makeshift tuk-tuk drivers.

We stumbled upon Happy Herb Pizza! This place supposedly drizzle happy herbs, or better known as marijuana, on your pizza. They are said to come in dosages of ‘happy’, ‘very happy’ or ‘ecstatic. Sounds interesting but ya, we gave it a miss.

Our first stop: Riverside Bistro
This is a fine establishment dazzled with neon lights shaped in palm trees, seafood, martini glasses and importantly decked with comfortable looking rattan chairs. We gotto eat and this is it! We tried the famous Cambodian Fish Amok and it tasted like otak-otak cooked in green curry. Yums.In the midst of feeding our stomachs and enjoying our 1st taste Angkor Beer, we were repeatedly approached by whiny begs from a tiny lil’girl. We tried hard to ignore her presence but she was so persistent that we eventually caved in, and handed her a dollar (USD). Her eyes instantly lit up with a grin so wide. She quickly folded the dollar, clasped tightly amid her tiny fingers, said thank you, posed for me and skipped happily round the corner of the restaurant. We suspected that must have been her day’s worth, and now to report back to her guardian. But whoever her guardian was obviously didn’t think it was enough, for she reappeared to the scene just as fast as she scurried off. Only when I review the picture I took of her that I really had a good look at her. She’s such a pretty lil’ girl but like all street kids she had dirty patches on her skin, pasty face and look at those worn-out eyes.

It is at this time, I wish there were more people like Savong out there.

Did I mention it rained again!? We weathered the rain and explored the rest of the restaurants and bars down the road, just when I caught sight of a cowboy hat. It’s the same hat Boon saw and wore for a picture in India and Kuching! He did say if he chanced upon the same hat again in Cambodia, he’s gonna buy it! The highlight for him today is ‘finding’ that hat.

Phnom Penh’s night market. Nothing interesting really, except maybe for children – paying to burst a balloon in return for a soft toy.

Foreign Correspondents Club (FCC). Nice 3-storey restaurant/bar with a beautiful view of the rainbow-lit cruise boats in the Tonle Sap river. The patriotic Americans had a discussion cum debate scheduled on the 3rd floor following the McCain-Obama debate. By 9.30pm, people started to amass and the band took charge. I highly recommend this place if you just want to enjoy live band, enjoy the river breeze, a good pizza and your beer.

.Street adjacent to FCC.

Our next hop was to Love Orange club, just because it’s round the block from our villa. The security was tight, and everyone was body checked. The moment the music resonated to my ears, I cried dear lord… This place is like a Miri feng-tao joint, stuffy and jam packed with local youngsters borne in the 90s’ (according to Timmy’s observation). We left almost immediately and headed to the Heart of Darkness, the most popular bar/club in Phnom Penh. This bar suited us better; it was tastefully decorated, less rowdy and DJs spun to the likes of Shakira. You’ll find a good mix of Europeans, Japanese, Cambodias, and towering Boyz II Men lookalikes here.
Our final hop was in search for Zeppelin Bar that was said to have the largest collection of classic rock. No one in town seemed to have heard of it let alone know its where abouts, hence we tried out luck at the Memphis Bar. This bar has a small dais to a band that got us singing along to the Summer of 69, Dire Straits, U2's One, Eric hailing to Pink Floyd. Good joint if you don’t like the heavy shuffling and if you have a voice to share with everyone. You can literally take over the mic if they hit your favourite number.

.Midnight rendezvous.

It was a pretty good start in Phnom Penh. As i publish this post, I'm at my 4th night in Siem Reap and i am loving it so much. I have met up with Savong and Loven on our 1st night here. All i can tell you right now is, Savong is not much of what i expected when i saw him for the 1st time, but he far exceeded my initial perception of him. Just simply through a short night of conversation with him, i can feel his passion, his kindness, the bigger dreams he has. My heart ached for him, for i can see he is a very smart man that can probably save the world from poverty and ignorance, had he afford education and have the money to do so.

I will keep posting when i find the time to do so. =)
Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri to all my muslim friends and colleagues!

2nd round of confirmation

The Pavilion Boutique Hotel (1 night - 27th Sept 2008) - BOOKING CONFIRMED!
http://www.pavilion-cambodia.com/

"An historic villa transformed into a charming boutique hotel."

- 1 suite with 2 bedrooms for 4 @ 80USD net/night
- 1 twin room for 2 @ 55USD net/night

The villa is believed to date from the 1930s when it was built for an aging Queen Kossamak, mother of Retired King Sihanouk, who wanted to be nearer to Wat Botum.
With so many of Phnom Penh's historic buildings being pulled down to make way for ugly apartment blocks, the owners of the Pavilion deserve credit for preserving this old classic.

Hotels in Phnom Penh

27th Sept 2008 - 1 night

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Hotel Cara (Boutique Hotel) (Cheap but not appealing)
http://www.hotelcara.com
Within 1-10 mins away from Places of Interest

Checkin: 2pm
Checkout: 12pm
Rates are inclusive of breakfast, 10% govt tax, Wifi



Hotel Cara features 51 uniquely designed rooms, with meticulously crafted furniture made from local Ratanakkiri wood, offering private balconies overlooking the bustling urban metropolis, and modern amenities to fit all your needs.

Our hotel is strategically located in the heart of Phnom Penh, just a few minutes from the riverside nightlife and eclectic cuisine of Sisowath Quay, the historic Central Market, modern shopping centers, and the elegant Royal Palace. Hotel Cara is the perfect accommodation, whether you are exploring Cambodia’s rich culture or seeking a safe haven for business.

Friendliness is not just in our name, it’s our philosophy.

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The Pavilion (Boutique Hotel) (This is my 1st choice)
http://www.pavilion-cambodia.com
100 metres from the Royal Palace

Checkin: 2pm
Checkout: 12pm
Rates are inclusive of breakfast, 10% govt tax

"An historic villa transformed into a charming boutique hotel."

LONELY PLANET REVIEW: From the minds behind the über-cool Elsewhere bar, this brand new boutique hotel combines a garden setting with an historic building that was only barely saved from the wrecking ball. The result: a very comfortable and laid-back little hotel..

☺Deserve a smiley face because of this: The villa is believed to date from the 1930s when it was built for an aging Queen Kossamak, mother of Retired King Sihanouk, who wanted to be nearer to Wat Botum.
With so many of Phnom Penh's historic buildings being pulled down to make way for ugly apartment blocks, the owners of the Pavilion deserve credit for preserving this old classic.

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The Kabiki (sister of The Pavilion) (2nd choice)
http://www.thekabiki.com/rooms.htm
Located between Royal Palace and the Independent Monument

Checkin: 2pm
Checkout: 12pm
Rates are net.

Address: 22, street 264, Phnom Penh, Sangkat Chak Tomuk, Khan Daun Penh (City)

Phone: +855 23 22 22 90

The park is planted with exotic species and has a large swimming pool, with a shallow pool for the children. Most rooms have each their own private garden. A garden restaurant and bar serves food and cocktails around the pools.

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FCC Phnom Penh (It’s sister in Siem Reap is famous! But I think not worth just for spending the night, we will be heading out early the next day)
http://www.fcccambodia.com/phnom_penh/
Within 1-10 mins away from Places of Interest
Checkin: ?pm
Checkout: ?pm
Rates are not inclusive of 10% VAT and 2% Accomodation Tax



Centrally located, shopping and nightlife venues along the riverfront are plentiful. The Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda and National Museum are all in walking distance.

In addition to the attractions, the FCC also offers easy access to several nearby sister companies, including Cafe Fresco, a coffee shop and deli located downstairs at the FCC Phnom Penh; and Pacharan, the renowned Spanish tapas bar and restaurant, located on the same block.