Cambodian Capital - Blogabond

The journey to Phnom Penh was on board a river boat through the large Cambodian Tonle Sap lake and the river into the city. The boat was really a barge with no side rails so everyone on board risked flying off the boat at 40 mph everytime you wanted to go below deck. Fortunately, we survived the trip without losing anyone but Dan and Karl got pretty bad sunburn along the way - a result of the cooling winds on the roof of the barge (and we might also be able to blame the malaria drugs).

Phnom Penh was an interesting albeit polluted and busy city. We spent some time checking out the quite gruesome killing fields and the S21 genocide prison.

A highlight was going to a shooting range on the way back - we decided to share the ammo between us so got the chance to shoot each other's guns: Sean, the Russian Kolashnikov AK47; Karl, the American M16 assault rifle; and Dan, the 1920s Al Capone Tommy Gun. It was pretty scary holding and firing loaded guns but well worth the experience.

We had a few sessions in the city that manages to cater for all types: the backpackers district provides cheap beer and plenty of 'Happy' pizzas - a good start to a night; the ex-pat district with many hostess bars and the legendary Heart of Darkness club - the favourate end of night haunt; and the more posh Riverside. One night we managed to break down twice in a tuk tuk when the rain was lashing down - drunk, soaking and slipping all over in flip-flops is not a good mix (Karl took a big hit by falling over in a huge puddle of water - although, it didn't prevent the night from continuing). (KC)

written by

Sean, Karl & Dan on October 25, 2007 from Phnom Penh, Cambodia

from the travel blog: Around the world in 180 days...

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