Phnom Penh, what a great surprise!

Oh, how to describe this incredible city.

We were welcomed to Phnom Penh with traffic that is a chaotic ballet and the tuk-tuks are our new best friends! 

I don't think we were prepared for the delightful mix of history, culture, and culinary adventures. From the majestic Royal Palace to the bustling markets, we find a story on  every corner (and maybe a few stray dogs trying to join us). In Phnom Penh, "traffic laws" are more of a suggestion than a rule. Come experience Phnom Penh with us!

Sameth

In the morning, the moment we stepped out of our hotel we were cascaded with a chorus of "sir, madam" from tuk tuk drivers asking us if we needed a ride.  We politely declined and wanted to walk.  We needed to find an ATM and the walk would give us a chance to experience Phnom Penh's street life.  As we turned onto a main street, the Cambodian heat was already beginning to turn up and an ATM was nowhere in sight.  Another tuk tuk driver pulled up next to us, asking if we needed a ride.  My "no thank you" didn't seem to deter him and he asked again.  I'm not sure if it was the sweat beginning to run down my back or his smile or his good english.  I asked him if he knew of an ATM and how much to take us there.  His responsed, "whatever you feel I deserve".  We hopped in.

After getting our cash, we asked how much for a tour of the city.  His response, "whatever you feel I deserve".  And we were off with our personal tuk tuk driver, Sameth.

Silk Island

What a surprise it was when Sameth suggested we visit Silk Island...  by ferry!  Taking the ferry to Silk Island in Phnom Penh is like stepping into a time machine, except instead of high-tech gizmos, you're surrounded by cheerful locals, bustling motorbikes, and the occasional chicken. The ferry rocks gently as you glide across the Mekong River, and you can't help but chuckle at the charming chaos of it all. Now, compare this to a ferry in Seattle, where passengers sip lattes, glued to their smartphones, and complain about the drizzle. The contrast is striking—one's an adventure in vibrant, unpredictable life, and the other... well, let's just say it's a different kind of jungle.

Silk Island turned out to be so interesting.  Riding down the dusty roads of the villages, seeing the families preparing their meals and doing their chores.  Sameth explained that almost all the people on this island prepared silk garments for selling in the city...  by hand!  We had to stop and see for ourselves.

At the home of a grandmother and her three daughters, we were treated to a first hand demonstration of how silk worms were grown, matured into cocoons and eventually made into silk thread before being woven, by hand, into scarves or table runners or dresses.

You know Sonja could not resist the opportunity to bring home some silk!

Touring Phnom Penh

Touring Phnom Penh in a tuk-tuk with Sameth is like being part of a thrilling yet comedic episode of "Amazing Race". Sameth, a seasoned driver with an infectious smile, weaves through traffic with the grace of a ballet dancer dodging cannonballs. Our conversation is punctuated with his hearty laughs and stories about about Cambodian life. He points out landmarks with such enthusiasm that you can't help but get excited about even the smallest pagoda.

As we zigzag through the bustling streets, the sensory overload is both exhilarating and amusing. The honks of motorbikes, the chatter of street vendors, and the sweet-spicy aroma of roadside delicacies create a symphony of Phnom Penh's heartbeat. One moment we're avoiding a tuk-tuk traffic jam, the next we're slowing down to let a family of chickens cross the road. The wind carries a mix of fresh produce, grilled meats, and the occasional whiff of diesel, making this ride an unforgettable blend of the city's vibrant life. As we continued, Sameth was becoming a friend.

The look of shock and surprise on his face when we invited him to join us for lunch made us smile.  Apparently, this never happened in his life.  We let him choose the restaurant and we were treated to a very tasty Cambodian meal.

Day 2:  Tears on our cheeks

Sameth joined us again for our second day in the city.  By this time, he was addressing us as "my mom" and "my dad".  "My mom, what would you like to see today"?

If you know much about Cambodian history, then you will recognize the term Khmer Rouge.  This refers to a four-year period during the 1970's when a brutal dictator committed genocide on the Cambodian people.  Forcing them into prisons to work in horrid conditions.  Torture and eventually death.  It is documented in the movie, "The Killing Fields".  Visitors to this country are suggested to visit the Genocide Museum and also the actual Killing Fields.  The people of this country, similar to the victims of the holocaust, want visitors to let the world know about what happened here in hopes it will never happen again.

I won't show the pictures of the museum as the images are too stark and shocking.  Suffice it to say, we could not finish the tour.  The horrors of what these innocent men, women and children endured was too much for us.  Tears could not be held back.  As we were leaving, we spent a little time with one of the survivors and his granddaughter.  His hand in ours, we could only express our sorrow and wish him a peaceful life.

We did not go to the Killing Fields.  

We Needed To Go Somewhere Happy

The ride from the museum was quite and somber as we reflected on what we had just seen.  My thoughts kept coming back to how could a human being be so evil and cruel.  How could the people of Cambodia have believed the lies of this man and elect him as thier leader only to have him take complete power and destroy a generation simply for his greed and power.

We needed something happy and down a busy Phnom Penh street, there it was...  Pizza Hut!!!

Sameth had never eaten pizza before in his life and we got the thrill of watching him take his first bite of not only pizza, but of french fries as well.  The smiles and joy on his face was something we will never forget.

His first ever time trying french fries.

The Faces of Phnom Penh

I want to conclude this blog with the faces and sights of this city that surprised us so much.  Meeting Sameth was a stroke of luck that we will forever be grateful for.  Thank you for coming along with us on this amazing journey.