24 hours in Phnom Penh: What to do?

We%26#39;re spending a day and night in Phnom Penh before heading to Siem Reap the next morning. We%26#39;re staying at the Pavillion. We know that we can%26#39;t really experience Phnom Penh in 24 hours, but we%26#39;re wondering, those of you who have been there, what would you do? What%26#39;s your ideal 24 hours in Phnom Penh?

24 hours in Phnom Penh: What to do?

Definately take a ride out to the Killing Fields and the S21 prison. That will occupy about half a day.

For the rest of the day take in the sites around town and then that evening go to Raffles Hotel (Elephant Bar) for happy hour half price cocktails.

We have some pics of our visit here... www.bobandjanette.com

Happy %26amp; safe travels

24 hours in Phnom Penh: What to do?

Really depends what you%26#39;re in to. And how much you want to do considering you might be tired if flying in from the US.

Go to the Silver Pagoda, Royal Palace, National Museum, all very close to each other. The National Museum will give you some background for Angkor Wat etc. When you leave the National Museum, cross the road onto Street 13 and head down to %26#39;Friends%26#39; for something to eat.

Grab a tuk-tuk to take you to Toul Sleng, the Genocide Museum, bit disturbing, but gives you a good idea of what these people have suffered through, and after that are still an amazingly gracious and giving people. The driver will wait for you, then get him to take you to the Russian Markets if you like to browse or shop. Not much you could want that can%26#39;t be bought here.

There%26#39;s also a Night Market near the river up towards Wat Phnom, but we didn%26#39;t get to it. There%26#39;s so much more, and I%26#39;m sure others will chip in with some more ideas.

Brace yourself for the dirt, the land mine victims and the beggars. I found it all a bit confronting at first, but would go back without hesitation.

Tracey.

Great ideas...Hopefully we won%26#39;t be exhausted. We%26#39;ll be spending a night in Hong Kong before flying to PP.

Have to agree with Tracey on her suggestions. Perhaps after S21, go on to the Killing Fields? At night head to the FCC for a lovely setting for some drinks ( I think happy hour 6-8). Food isn%26#39;t the best though. go somewhere else if you can.

Depending on timing, or if yuo want to take some time out from S21, the Boddhi Tree opposite S21 serves lovely food and is a nice setting after a quite moving experience. We spent nearly 3 hours at S21, and that was only becuase we left the movie room becuase the sound quality was so bad we couldn%26#39;t make out what was being said. So, do set aside a reasonable time for there.

Yes, S21 is very taxing on visitors, but well worth the effort. We also ate at the Boddhi Tree afterwards. Cambodian rice crepes stuffed with stir fried vegies. Yum!

It goes without saying, therefore it probably should be said..... agree on the price with your tuk-tuk driver before you set off. We found a lovely guy, name pronounced Tee, %26#39;stationed%26#39; outside the FCC. He had a grin like a cheshire cat. He waited for us outside the Russian Markets for over an hour! Still smiling! He had bought some lovely fabric for his mother while he waited. And his young offsider sat in the back with us.

Popped in to the FCC, looks like a good spot for a drink overlooking the river. Bought an FCC t-shirt at the FCC in Siem Reap, another good spot for a cold drink.

Even a stroll along the riverfront in the afternoon is an interesting way to spend some time, watching the locals playing games and enjoying some leisure time.