The time zone change helps with a sleepin, but still an early start.
First day we spent wandering around the streets of Phnom Penh. About 30deg, but a cooling breeze much of the time helped (still sticky and sweaty).
With a free day, it is time to go walkabout. Not to go into touristy things, but to get the feel of the city.
A quick look at the map, and off we go to the see the Mekong – looks like about a 10 minute walk.
One would have thought that after Venice, I would have the brains to check Google maps instead of Hotel maps.
After some interesting sign language, we were guided to a local market.
Navigating narrow tracks between the stalls, which I barely fit through, we were led to the shoe stall. Annie did manage to find a pair of sneakers, and I think she made the stall owner’s day financially,
It was so crowded, I couldn’t even get my backpack off to take a photo.
Some impressions on the way:
Street Stalls
One thing of notice is the paucacity of push bikes – mainly motor bikes and scooters.
Still searching for the Mekon, but we do find some interesting parks
And what trip would be complete without a dog…
After a hot and sweaty hour and a half (with a quick stop at Amazon Cafe for iced drinks) we finally find the Mekon- with the size of it, a bit hard to miss.
There is a path along beside the river, and a cool breeze makes for a pleasant, if sunny, stroll, including the flower markets
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With markets on her mind, I still mange to convince Annie to pause for a cooling ale and bowl of chips.
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I promised Annie she would find a shoe shop, little did I envisage:
Finally found the central markets
These look roomy and airy, but as soon as you move into the side halls things change. Annie disappeared into what I thought was a dress shop, So I waited outside. Wrong!!! It was just another alley between stalls. 35minutes later she reappeared.
And someone has to keep the merchants fed,