Sin Son and Sambo

True friendship knows no specie...






Heart warming, isn't it? I'll visit both of them soon.


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PHSAR THMEI: Testament of Phnom Penh’s Sophisticated Past

Phnom Pehn’s most distinctive landmark is virtually unknown to many. It has one of the biggest domes in the world and its Art Deco architecture is an imposing testament of Phnom Penh’s former elegance and sophistication.

This is Phsar Thmei – commonly known as the Central Market. The four wings of the building houses trade stalls selling everything from souvenirs to electronics; food, silverwares to silk. It is comparable to the great markets of Chatuchak in Bangkok, Tutuban in Manila or the Morning Market in Vientiane but not as grand in architecture.


Under the dome is a dazzling display of jewels, silver and gold, of course, all for sale. I noticed that the dome is not supported by any beam and there are no huge electric lights at all! Only natural light illuminates the interior and the view up is spectacular. Since the building uses natural light, it means that the market closes before 5pm or so.

This amazing building was built by the French some 80 years ago. It is one of the ultra-modern buildings in the region at that time. Because of civil conflicts and political changes in Cambodia, Phsar Thmei was left out and never promoted as one of the country’s great landmarks.

X Marks the Spot. Satellite photos of Phsar Thmei shows it as a big X covering blocks of the city. It is located 1km away from the National Museum and the Royal Palace. From Hotel Raffles Le Royal is about 800m walk but if you’re staying at the Intercon, it’s about 3km away. The vicinity is a highly commercialized area, budget accommodations are mostly found here and you can find almost anything you're looking for.

Shopping-wise, there is nothing really special about the place. Although millions of things for sale here will keep you busy and amazed with the variety. Prices here are a bit higher than other markets in the city.

But nevertheless -- the architecture, the design, the history and the character of the building itself is worth the visit. It is so unique that there is no other building in Southeast Asia quite like it. This beautiful and historic building must be preserved.

The Phsar Thmei – Southeast Asia’s architectural treasure.


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WHAT TO DO IN PHNOM PENH: Aside from Visiting Temples and Museums

Bonjour mesdames et monsieurs! This is Morgan and I have my 2nd post today, ouais? My post is about what to do in this wonderful city of Phnom Penh aside from visiting temples et museums. Please pardon my English, svp. My mother tongue is French and Vietnamese. I think you would like me to write in English, ouais?



This is my first time in Cambodge. I know all of us are thinking that what we will see here is only poverty et depression, no? Everybody look down on this country too much saying it is depressing, very poor, very dirty. Everything we say to make us feel good about our own country.

When I came here with me friends last Monday, my views changed. People are friendly, happy and not miserable. How can miserable people smile so much, oui? Yes there are some people begging but Bangkok, Kuala Lumpour, Manille et Paris has too, n'est-il pas?

We visited a restaurant called “Friends Cafe”. This restaurant is very special. It is a restaurant for training young Cambodians who used to live in the streets. They teach them new skills so they can support themselves. Please visit this place when you are in Phnom Penh. It is near the Musee national du Cambodge.

In the time of the evil Khmer Rouge, traditional performing arts are forbidden. Now, artists are reviving the almost lost Cambodian culture. I suggest a visit to Sovanna Phum, a theater showing the best of Cambodian performing arts.

Early this morning we went water skiing on the river! It is 2km outside Phnom Penh and we enjoy ourselves. Alligator Ski Club is actually a floating bar. Fresh air et bon musique. Tommy et Pisanu go water skiing. Me, no! Because I cannot swim. JetSki is available too at $50 for 1 hour. Don’t be afraid of the name, there is no alligator on the river – only crocodiles! I joke! I joke!

The best way to see Phnom Penh is by moto. It is the best adventure we had yet. This is where you can try your moto driving skills! Hundreds of motos drive directly at you and the chaos is more amusing than annoying. Moi et me friends are like little children having fun while we weave through a sea of cars et motos! This is the most exciting thing we did here!

We also visited the Central Market. I think Pisanu or Sofia will talk about it later. It is a beautiful building like art deco in the middle of the city. I buy many souvenirs for me friends back in Paris.

All I can say is, please tour Cambodia. It is safe, the nightlife is more relaxing than other cities and it is not what you see or read on magazines. Come and see for yourself. Please stop making bad stories about Cambodia if you have not been here yet -- It is fun and people here seem more happy.


There are more to Cambodge than the Angkor.

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PHNOM PENH: The Wealthiest Capital City in Southeast Asia

One of the Orient’s most elegant cities in the 1920s – Phnom Penh is like a widow who have seen all the painful trials in life but remained strong and still standing.

What makes a city “wealthy”? – oversized shopping malls and pretentious towering buildings or rich heritage and affluent culture?

When can a city be called “developed”? – Happy, contended people living in it or busy, unsatisfied inhabitants who got nothing to do but complain? Sad to say – that if we look closely on the real significance of a city, only Phnom Penh is worthy to be called the “wealthiest”.

Phnom Penh’s history dates back to the 1300s. It is the successor of Angkor, the capital of the greatest empire Southeast Asia has ever seen. The Khmer Empire ruled from the southern part of China in the north, down to the borders of Malaysia to the south. It is one of the largest continuing empire the world has ever seen.

Most of Southeast Asian art and architecture are based on Khmer. Our notable designs and intricate crafts exist today because of them. The Khmer Empire was so advanced that they built the largest temple on Earth over 900 years ago – when most of us are still hunting wild boars and living in caves.

When Kuala Lumpur was just a muddy riverbank; Manila and Bangkok was just tiny fishing villages. When Singapore was just a small uninhabited island and Jakarta was just a sleepy trading outpost – Phnom Penh was already flourishing with ancient art and culture.

The glorious history of Cambodia, Phnom Penh and its people is far more valuable than any of our tall buildings and ridiculously oversized shopping malls.


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Related Post:

*WHAT TO DO IN PHNOM PENH: Aside from Visiting Temples and Museums


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