We woke up early to say good-bye to Siem Reap and catch a boat to Phnom Penh to continue our adventure there. As with other places in Asia, the official price of the ride for foreigners is over three times the price it is for locals. Oh well, it was well worth it and fun to see life thriving along the river.
Establishments such as this bring new meaning to the term "houseboat". It's basically a house on a raft that people pull behind their boat.
A floating neighborhood
Freezing (and loosing my hearing) on top of the boat
A floating city...complete with electrical poles and wires.
Upon arrival in Phnom Penh we headed to our hotel and then took it easy, got hair cuts and pedicures and walked around to get a feel for the city. Phnom Pehn is the essence of a large city in a third world country. It is full of blaring contrasts. Straw huts next to an enormous temple housing a floor made of sterling silver and a Buddha with a 25 carat diamond on his head. A Bentley driving past tuk-tuks on the street. Beggars missing limbs from land mines and NGO's setting up organizations creating opportunities for street kids. We found it both depressing and fascinating, as I suppose anyone would.
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