3 Days in Phnom Penh
The square by the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Birthday Celebrations in Phnom Penh
A new country, a new city, and a new vibe, and we liked it from the get-go. I had read that another blogger described Phnom Penh as more laid-back compared to Ho Chi Minh City, and I would say he is spot on.
Blue Corner Boutique Hotel
The Blue Corner Boutique Hotel is a three-and-a-half-star property with a 100% recommendation on Expedia. We agree. We booked three nights and ended up staying for four. More about this is below. The nightly rate was $36.00.
Street vendor in Phnom Penh
With temperatures hovering around the mid-to-high thirties, we underestimated how refreshing a dip in the pool would be after a day of sightseeing in the heat. Combine this with a couple of happy-hour Angkor Wat local brews, and I’m sure you can imagine the bliss.
The service was superb at the Blue Corner Boutique Hotel. When I told the staff I used to work at a hotel in Canada, they asked for suggestions. I told them they had it all figured out. It was personal service at its best.
It is the small things that make a difference; acknowledging us every time we walked through the lobby, asking if we were feeling better, and if we needed anything. Another five-star rating was in the making.
Flower market in Phnom Penh
Birthday, Shopping, Dining, and Exploring in Phnom Penh
We celebrated Di's birthday on Sunday, and it was a superb day. While shopping at the central market, we found new colorful shorts, a patchwork skirt, a flowered dress, and a necklace for Di.
Lunch was fish Amok, a Cambodian dish, at a rooftop restaurant overlooking the Mekong River. A small temple along the waterfront was the scene of blessings as many offerings were made to the Buddha, and we got to experience it all up close.
Flowers, fruits, and birds. Candles and incense were lit, and musicians played traditional instruments.
Blogging from our office at the Blue Corner Boutique Hotel in Phnom Penh
Di’s birthday dinner was in a beautiful old mansion restaurant near our hotel. The staff were marginalized youth under training. We had a traditional Cambodian meal, followed by a drink and dessert.
And that wraps up the fun part of Phnom Penh. We probably let our guard down for Di's birthday and didn't give much thought to what we were eating and drinking, or perhaps we just felt invincible—a great feeling, but one you sometimes pay for later.
For the next day or two, we paid the price with troubled stomachs. Oh boy. We extended our stay at the Blue Corner for another night as the mere thought of the six-and-a-half-hour bus ride to Siem Reap was unsettling.
We are happy to report that we survived the ordeal. Thanks again to the staff at the Blue Corner Boutique Hotel for helping us through both good and not-so-great times.
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The photos in this article are made using a Fujifilm X-Pro2. Lenses: XF 14mm f/2.8 R - XF 35mm f/1.4 R (links to my camera and lens reviews). Editing was done in Lightroom. I have used Fujifilm film simulations in some of the photos.
