As regards other concerns, shopping is definitely not as easy as in Thailand \u2013 buying something for a child or even a snack when sightseeing may be a problem. There are no small shops on every corner (no good old 7eleven!). But the supermarket we went to today (Lucky chain) has an assortment similar to our Alma and you can get almost ANYTHING there. As regards vaccines and mosquitos \u2013 so far, we haven\u2019t seen any \ud83d\ude42 But we use the Mugga repellent just in case \u2013 better safe than sorry!<\/p>\n
Despite all these advantages, you can definitely sense that Cambodia is much poorer than Thailand. There are more poor, disabled people begging for money, sometimes children selling things to tourists in the streets and running around barefoot\u2026 But the poverty we see in the streets of Phnom Penh is not the same as in India, where it breaks your heart to see all the kids living their lives in the streets, babies sleeping on sidewalks, shabby houses set up right next to the road. Phnom Penh is not as shocking\u2026 You can see wide social stratification (there a lot of good cars in the streets), but there\u2019s no terrifying poverty\u2026<\/p>\n
- \n
![\"Phnom](\"http:\/\/en.tasteaway.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/DSC6740-640x425.jpg\")
<\/a><\/dt>\n- The Monument of Independence at the intersection of Norodoma and Sihanouka – erected in the 50s to celebrate the declaration of independence<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n
Drawbacks: it\u2019s not easy to sightsee on foot (which is what we like best!). For two reasons: a) it\u2019s very hot, b) there are no sidewalks in most streets, and if there are, there\u2019s usually something blocking the way. The streets, especially in the afternoon, are full of motor bikes, scooters, tuk-tuks and cars. Definitely, the best means of transportation is a tuk-tuk, which is cheap (USD 1 or 2 for a ride to a given tourist attraction in the city).<\/b> Going outside the town costs more, but you can always get a deal but be sure to BAIRGAIN! \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n
Tuk-tuks in Phnom Penh are a bit different than in Bangkok \u2013 they have the motor that drags the rest in the front. In Cambodia, you can also take taxis (convenient on the way from the airport) or motor bike taxis. Since we\u2019re with Maks we don\u2019t use them, although here whole families travel on one motor bike, often with a baby in its pyjamas or a group of all three older kids between the mom and dad! The number of the motor bikes, that are simply everywhere, is amazing, especially between 3 and 6 pm. I hope you will be able to see this in one of our films \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n
\n- \n
![\"tuk](\"http:\/\/en.tasteaway.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/DSC6743-640x425.jpg\" "\\"podstawowy")
<\/a><\/dt>\n- the basic means of transport<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n
What to do in Phnom Penh? There are a few must-sees: The Royal Palace, Central Market, Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, and Killing Fields\u2026 We started with the Royal Palace\u2026<\/b> Unfortunately, prematurely, because in Cambodia siesta time is between 11 am and 2.30 pm. The Palace is closed then. Also, remember about proper attire \u2013 no shorts or tops allowed (that would be me!). Otherwise, you have to buy a stylish shirt with the Silver Pagoda \u2013 a part of the palace complex for some PLN 1 and rent even more stylish pants\u2026<\/p>\n
However, this place is worth buying extra pieces of clothing, because it is really stunning. It\u2019s not as crowded as similar monuments in Bangkok for example. The complex itself was erected in the 1860s under the rule of king Norodom. It encompasses around a dozen fairy-tale, beautifully ornamented buildings\u2026 Buddhist temples and palaces are absolutely breath-taking and kids definitely like them \u2013 mostly because of the various \u201cfigurines\u201d of interesting characters. It\u2019s a great place for a pleasant walk without the crowds of tourists.<\/p>\n
\n- \n
![\"Pa\u0142ac](\"http:\/\/en.tasteaway.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/DSC6762-640x425.jpg\")
<\/a><\/dt>\n- on the way to the Royal Palace<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n
\n- \n
![\"Srebrna](\"http:\/\/en.tasteaway.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/DSC6806-640x425.jpg\")
<\/a><\/dt>\n- miniature Angkor Wat<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n
\n- \n
![\"Phnom](\"http:\/\/en.tasteaway.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/DSC6793-640x425.jpg\")
<\/a><\/dt>\n- one of the main pavilions, used as a throne hall<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n
\n- \n
![\"Phnom](\"http:\/\/en.tasteaway.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/DSC6796-640x425.jpg\")
<\/a><\/dt>\n- like in a fairy tale<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n
\n- \n
![\"Pa\u0142ac](\"http:\/\/en.tasteaway.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/DSC6814-640x425.jpg\")
<\/a><\/dt>\n- great place for a little bit of physical activity…<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n
\n- \n
![\"Phnom](\"http:\/\/en.tasteaway.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/DSC6822-640x425.jpg\")
<\/a><\/dt>\n- and looking for new “cuddly” toys<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n
The next stop was the Central Market.<\/b> The market is like any market, the most interesting part is the building \u2013 with a huge dome in the middle and four wings, in art deco style of the 30. Unfortunately, I don\u2019t have a picture to show you this, because we were too busy shooting a film, and we forgot about photos\u2026 what an embarrassment! :\/ At the Central Market you can buy clothes, pyjamas, souvenirs, drink a fresh coconut, or grab a bite \u2013 although we still haven\u2019t dared to try street food in Cambodia. Frankly, it looks much less appetising than in Thailand. And on the other hand, since meals in luxurious\/good restaurants cost as much as pizza and coke back home, I guess it\u2019s worth enjoying a bit of luxury, right? \ud83d\ude09 At the Market you will also find jewellery, handicrafts, watches \u2013 that\u2019s available in the central part under the characteristic dome. In line with our tradition, we got coconuts, a ball for Maks (after the 30th \u201cMom, let\u2019s look for a ball\u201d), and \u0141ukasz worked out an appetite for fried bugs \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n
\n- \n
![\"sma\u017cone](\"http:\/\/en.tasteaway.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/DSC6838-640x425.jpg\")
<\/a><\/dt>\n- fried larvae, beetles, crickets and spiders are a delicacy in Cambodia<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n
\n- \n
![\"Central](\"http:\/\/en.tasteaway.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/DSC6851-640x425.jpg\")
<\/a><\/dt>\n- sleepy ambience, totally different that on Chatuchak Market in Bangkok<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n
But I don\u2019t want you to think that we only eat such gross things here (\u0141ukasz does \u2013 I had nothing to do with this!!), so here\u2019s a few words about good food. It will be just a preview, because I will definitely write about cuisine in a separate post \u2013 I wouldn\u2019t be myself if I forgot about it \ud83d\ude09<\/p>\n
Our favourite dish from the last few days is a Khmer dish called amok<\/b>. It may be prepared with chicken or fish with coconut milk, stewed in a banana leaf, with ginger, lemon grass, chili and served with rice. This an absolute must! Our second favourite is a snack we tried in our favourite\u00a0Vietnamese restaurant called Magnolia<\/a>… –\u00a0breaded home-made tofu, simple, but delicious! \ud83d\ude42 So here\u2019s another conclusion about Cambodia: they have great food! \ud83d\ude42 We like it!<\/p>\n
\n- sleepy ambience, totally different that on Chatuchak Market in Bangkok<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n
- fried larvae, beetles, crickets and spiders are a delicacy in Cambodia<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n
- and looking for new “cuddly” toys<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n
- great place for a little bit of physical activity…<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n
- like in a fairy tale<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n
- one of the main pavilions, used as a throne hall<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n
- miniature Angkor Wat<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n
- on the way to the Royal Palace<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n
- the basic means of transport<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n
- The Monument of Independence at the intersection of Norodoma and Sihanouka – erected in the 50s to celebrate the declaration of independence<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n
![\"amok](\"http:\/\/en.tasteaway.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/DSC6735-640x425.jpg\")
<\/a><\/dt>\n![\"tofu,](\"http:\/\/en.tasteaway.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/DSC6732-640x425.jpg\")
<\/a><\/dt>\n