Brewing in Singapore

One man's adventure of brewing beer in Asia.

Monday, August 30, 2010

Phnom Penh Again Again

I just got back from a long weekend in Phnom Penh Cambodia (great town). This was my 4th time to Cambodia and my third time to Phnom Penh (once in Angkor Wat/Siem Reap with my sister). I have enjoyed all four of my trips to Cambodia immensely - and each one was distinctly different (in it's own way).

Phnom Penh is changing fairly quickly. It is getting some well deserved economic growth. And Phnom Penh is working hard at improving it's image. Just two years ago the water front along Tonle Sap & the Mekong was just dirt - dusty, devoid of tress or grass and scattered with litter. Now there is grass, tress, shrubs, a nicely tiled walkway, and the area is alive with activity (well at least at night when it is cool enough). In the evening brightly lit boats drift along in a cool breeze. (well, passes for a cool breeze in Phnom Penh)

If you wanna see some of the pictures check here

http://www.flickr.com/photos/55592119@N00/

or Jeff's photos

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffinsing/

I will say that Phnom Penh is a fun town with lots to do and see; the Royal Palace, the Silver Pagoda (Wat), nice & friendly people, three micro-breweries, lotsa great food (that is inexpensive), cheap beer, several good markets, nice coffee, Nagaworld Casino (if you are into that kind of thing), a nice river front walk, Boat trips down the Mekong, cheap massage, inexpensive hotels, a few good clubs (if you are into that kind of thing), good bands, some great random wanderings, beautiful Wats, an interesting national museum, (albeit somewhat in need of a make over), Tuk Tuk rides, a variety of fried insects (if you are into that kind of thing), historical buildings, and a rich & complex history. Did I mention how nice & friendly the people were ?

And I will say I find it disturbing that there seems to have grown up a whole industry related to their very unfortunate recent past (how many time will you have to tell Tuk Tuk Drivers "No thank you, I don't want to see the killing fields - ever!"). Honestly it was hard enough just to read about their suffering (there are dozens of books on the Khmer Rouge rule, those sad years & the genocide of their own people), I do not want to see those places first hand. Tuol Sleng, the Killing Fields, and blowing up a cow with left over army missile launchers - those things should not be tourist attractions.

But I digress - Cambodia is a great place to visit. If you have not visited there yet you should go (and soon, before it all looks like the Nagaworld Casino - not that there is anyting wrong with NagaWorld, per se ...... )

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