Sunday, May 12, 2013

Getting to the airport, easy. From there on, it takes balls

Yay! Managed to reach Phnom Penh safety. Of course, there wasn't much to the flight. Like the title suggest, who can't get to the airport? What matters more is what happens after getting to the airport The airport here is really unlike Changi (I would be v surprise if it's anything like Changi). It rather simple, straight out of departure to the taxi stand. 

Before coming to Phnom Penh, I've read a lot abt unethical drivers who overcharge, bring you round and round or do a little something to their taxi metre. Was actually informed to look out for Mai Linh, as they are suppose to be the most professional. But for some reason, I can't seem to spot any of the taxi companies names, just a few taxi around. In Singapore, tourist usually queue at the taxi stand and board the taxi, but it seems like no one is doing so. Everyone just went away...almost as though they know where to go

Thus, I actually waited there to observe a little (around 30mins). There was this 2 young man who were seemingly harass (it looks like harassment when u are surrounded by like 6-7 taxi drivers). So the usual bargaining scenario happened (did I mention how much I hate bargaining...and I totally sucked at it). It was like "do I really have to go through thatttt?". I decided to wait a while longer. I started noticing people coming out of the airport with yellow slips on paper and they went right into the taxi. So I went back in and look around. Discovered that they were offering taxi services to the city centre for a flat rate of $9. Yay! No need to bargain! And I'm sure my place was close to the city centre!

So many taxi driver...quite intimidating if they all approach at the same time rite 

So in I went into the taxi. Was trying to tell the driver where my hostel is, but he has never heard of it before. Thank God for the 50 pages of maps I printed! So I just told him to drop me at the ministry of women affairs (sound like some activist group rite) and gave me directions to the street. I handed him a twenty bill, and he gave me back at ten (I'm pretty sure 20 - 9 = 11...correct me if I'm wrong), but oh well, it could have been far worse, so I just took the ten and left

Look! It says $9!

My map clearly indicated that the hostel is in the next block from the ministry, but I've learn to manage my expectations. Luckily the houses were well numbered and I managed to find my way there. Given an introduction on safety in Phnom Penh, not to carry my bags (crap, I was hoping to lug my stuff everywhere, but I shall not ask for trouble). The room wasN't exactly what I expected. There were mattresses on the floor instead of beds, mosquitoes nets, there's aircon (weather's hot here). And I have 2 Caucasian girls for roommate (hehehe, nothing to complain abt already!)

Haha, it does look a little shady

Mattresses instead of beds! I actually prefer mattresses to bed :)

Mosquitoes nets to fend those pesky little things away! 

The first thing I saw when I came out was this group of kids waving extremely enthusiastically at the tourists who were passing by. It just felt a little creepy, as my cousin was relating her experience when she brought ice cream for a kid, only to get surrounded by others a while later. I had similar experience when I was in India as well, thus I'm a little wary of kids

Kids on the streets, they seem a little overly friendly with the tourists :/

Nice park just directly opposite my hostel

No idea what this is, just past by it while roaming around

By the time I settle down, it was almost noon. Took a short walk to the riverside as I heard that's where all the good food is located. I must say, the roads here are a nightmare, seriously! This is really 马路如虎口I think the locals must be finding me a little queer to be waiting for the traffic lights. The most taxing part is to cross the roads...and I always heave a sigh of relief after successfully going through

As with most developing countries, there is a fair bit of touting on the streets, from the food stalls to the tuk tuk drivers, to the pimps and gigolos (one of them got a little on my nerves). Eventually settled for dinner at a restaurant. I guess the pictures speak for themselves...grilled white cod in white wine. It meat was really soft and succulent, with a tint of aroma from the white wine 

While I was paying for my meal over at the counter, the cashier asked if I was Thai...which was rather puzzling (I am that sure I'm not Thai). Apparently, it was due to the Singapore dollar note I have in my wallet. So he asked me abt the exchange rate, and asked if I have S$1 to exchange for his $1 USD. Sadly, all I had with me was $10, and couldn't accede to his request.

Grilled white cod in white wine

Tempting right?!

Headed over to the river after dinner, it was getting a little dark, thus no pictures from the river. It was starting to drizzle as well, so I thought I should just make my way back (through that nightmarish road condition). Came across this cartload of teddy bear. The way they stack it...=.=



Cartload of teddy bears

Went back and started using wifi in the common areas. Apparently, there were 4 Caucasian students in front of me who were exchange students in Singapore...night is still young, so might as well eavesdrop a little before going to bed:)

Mark
Learning the art of crossing dangerous roads

PS: If I get a dollar everytime someone asked me why am I fluent in English despite being Chinese...erm...I would be a few dollar richer...but u get the point

1 comment:

  1. when i was in UK, a couple of Chinese asked me why am i fluent in mandarin despite being singaporean. hahaha!

    People probably think we speak SINGLISH only!

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