After a 26-hour journey (22 on a plane), I finally arrived in Phnom Penh Friday night. Appropriately enough, the lavatories on the 14-hour leg from DC to Seoul had some issues, so the plane reeked of toilet from boarding on thru. I eventually got immune to the smell, but I think it’s a mild case of things to come.
Anyhow, although this blog will mostly be about all things toilet, I’ll include a bit here and there about my general living in Cambodia. . . today included. The Phnom Penh airport was nicer than expected, and the hustlers outside not so aggressive. The ATMs here dispense US Dollars, and it seems to be the preferred currency. Most people (locals included) seem to be paying in dollars, and the Cambodian riel seems to be mostly used as replacement for US coins (which don’t seem to be used). 4000 riel to the dollar is the current exchange rate, and I’m not sure if it’s pegged or what, but restaurants have it printed on their menus and there doesn’t seem to be much expectation of it moving a lot.
Pisith (the Logistics officer for IDE) met me at the airport and guided me to my temporary temporary home: the Golden Gate Hotel. I’m only here for two days then I walk across the street to my real temporary home: the Golden Comfort Apartment Hotel. Also on the same street are the Goldiana Hotel, Golden Bridge Hotel, Goldie Hotel, Golden Star Guest House and Gold Star Service Apartment. . . . If you name it, it will be. . . Here’s a pic off the front balcony of the hotel of a tuk tuk driver waiting for a fare.
Tuk tuks and moto-taxis (think scooter/moped with you sitting on the back behind the operator) are equally represented in the ‘taxi’ business. No sign of the car option that most westerners would consider a taxi. My first day took me to the Royal Palace, the National Museum and Wat Phnom (the founding temple of Phnom Penh). Here are some pics from those and from just walking around:
marvelous photos jefe. That SLR is coming into good use.
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