Click here for Cambodia Tales by Andy Brouwer.
Its a fantastic site!

Tales of Asia

One of the most informative sites on Cambodia.

Well you either love it or hate it, we absolutely loved being in Phnom Penh.
Cambodia is a very special place for us. 

Gary was there for one year with the Australian Army (UNTAC) United Nations back in 1992-1993 and while he was away I met 3 other wives whose husbands were also in Cambodia with UNTAC. 

The four of us formed a friendship that has been going for 15 years. We all decided that wherever we lived we would meet somewhere in Australia every two years for a reunion.
We haven’t missed one yet.

 It just so happened that one of the girl’s husband’s was posted to Cambodia, so when it was her turn to choose where we would all meet in 2005 the decision was obvious. 

We are off to Cambodia. 

Gary was a bit wary of this as he had not been back in 12 years so we decided we would only stay 5 days.

What a time we had, we loved it there and as soon as we came home we booked to go back for three weeks again just over 7 months later.  We have also been back again recently this year for a couple of weeks.

I cannot comment on hotels in Phnom Penh, as we stay with our friends each time we visit, however I have listed a few that have come highly recommended.

Our friends live in a secure compound with a huge pool, the house is 3 story, with 5 toilets and can sleep 15 comfortably.
We have their driver Sameth every day to take us where we want plus they have a cook and housekeeper.
(So it was just like being spoilt in a luxury hotel).
It is a lot easier being with friends who have lived there for a few years and can speak the language fluently and they are able to recommend where to go etc.

Our first trip to Cambodia was very exciting as on our arrival we were met by our friends and an old mate of  Gary’s who he hadn’t seen since he lived in Cambodia in 1992/93.
Rada was Gary’s interpreter and they hadn’t seen one another for 12 years so it was a very emotional  reunion.
There is more on Rada in ‘Special Times’.

I just loved our first drive through the streets of Phnom Penh with Gary pointing out things and remembering places. 

The traffic was unbelievable, so many push bikes, motor bikes and cyclos, there seems to be no road rules but more important no road rage. 

It's a city of young people. 

Buildings that were once modern and impressive now look old and tired.  Then next to them are beautiful renovated grand hotels. 

It truly is an amazing city.