Invisible Hands

The first sight of Phnom Penh proper would really give an impression that the city is just beginning to rise from the ashes of the genocide.  A lot of construction was going on, though you won't find clusters of skyscrapers as in Manila.  In fact, Papa P proudly pointed to the tallest building being erected which was only around 40+ floors.

Soon-to-be tallest building in Cambodia.

Their version of Luneta Park.  That's their tallest building in the background.

I told him that we have taller buildings in Manila, none of the magnificent ancient temples like theirs.


Yes, I agree with ETS that Phnom Penh does resemble Binondo, only way cleaner.

Reminded me of Arranque Market in Manila.

And because our flight to Bangkok was at around 5:20 in the afternoon, we had a few hours to see what the capital city has to offer.


First stop was the National Museum.

I love that their National Museum truly reflects their Khmer identity as opposed to ours that's more Greek than Filipino.

There's not much to see in the museum as most of the artifacts are from their glorious ancient history.  Probably the genocide has to do with the gap between their past and present collection.

After the brief stop at the museum, we immediately looked for Friend's Restaurant which ETS researched as the best place to dine in PP.  Fortunately, it was just a stone's throw away from the museum.

It was packed that day but we're lucky to get a table as one usually needs a reservation.

Really good and very healthy!

This one too!   Although it was Mr. Polie's, we couldn't help but try it as well.

After the hearty meal, we're on the road again and saw some interesting things along the way.

Notice how the gun is tied in a knot?

We were pleasantly surprised that there's actually a Filipino restaurant in Cambodia, although we did not have the chance to check it out as we were pressed for time.

See how immaculately clean the road is.  A country can be poor but still be clean.

According to Papa P, this is their "Eiffel Tower".  Our Quezon Monument in Quezon City circle is way taller.

Next stop was the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum.

This used to be an elementary school converted into a prison a.k.a hell on earth during the Pol Pot regime.  Papa P's wife actually attended this school before the genocide happened.  I swear it was the most heartbreaking experience seeing how evil any man can be towards another human being.  We were taking pictures at first but ETS was already becoming very emotional that we eventually decided to erase everything.  It is still a must see stop in Cambodia but be very ready for what you are about to see.


We did not finish the tour of the museum and decided to proceed to the Royal Palace.  Although this is not grand enough compared to the Grand Palace of Thailand, it still stands as a testament to the wealth Cambodia once enjoyed.

Monks get in free!

Throng of tourists waiting to get in.

Still smiling while toasting under that scorching mid-day sun!

One of the royal galleries.

Probably a monument of some dead king! :p

A stupa, like that of Thailand's.

The great walls of the Royal Palace.

Then we were on our way to our last stop, the Killing Fields.  Probably the most important stop in the tour of Phnom Penh.  It would take about an hour to get there but the traffic situation was already getting bad.  Papa P assured us that we had enough time.  Unfortunately, so we thought, our right rear tire burst.

Papa P tried hard to inflate it with his portable inflator but to no avail.  That's when we decided, with sweaty underarms due to fear we might miss our flight, not to proceed to the Killing Fields and head straight to the airport, so Papa P drove to the nearest vulcanizing shop.

The culprit!

Though late, we were glad to make it to the airport.

We had snack and bought our ref magnets at the duty free.  Sat a little and then there was the call to board.  We boarded and got comfy on our seats when ETS jolted and asked me what time we were supposed to leave.  We checked our e-ticket and we were around 30 minutes ahead of time.  That's when we realized that had we pushed through going to the Killing Fields, we would have missed our flight.  We did not have the chance to check that our flight was rescheduled.  And we thank the Lord in heaven for the new screw which was meticulously placed on the road (it is rather remote that a new 2-inch screw would drop there straight up), so that we might enjoy the next leg of the tour, the beautiful Bangkok, Thailand!

The first glimpse of Thailand!