Phnom Penh, Cambodia

A Boy and His Bike - Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Phnom Penh, and its kids, are all on the move. Read more about Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Sugar Cane Juice - Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Sugar cane juice bars are common on the streets of Cambodia. For us, it was a bit too sweet, unless it was cut and balanced with a squeeze of lime or orange juice. Read more about Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Phnom Penh Back Streets - Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Phnom Penh sprawls and dirt roads run up against well-paved city streets, putting expensive government cars and garbage scavengers side by side. Read more about Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Cambodian Style Bahn Xeo - Phnom Penh, Cambodia

We had associated bahn xeo (pancakes with pork, shrimp, and bean sprouts) with Vietnamese food. Our visit to the Russian Market in Phnom Penh demonstrated that the Cambodians also enjoy a good savory pancake. Read more about Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Cyclo Driver Sleeping - Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Another cyclo driver catches a wink in Phnom Penh's mid-afternoon heat. Read more about Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Prahok (fish paste) Dip and Vegetables - Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Our first meal in Cambodia consisted of fresh vegetables and prahok (heavily fermented fish paste dip). We ordered it because it sounded interesting and authentic. The waiter was hesitant, and asked us if we were sure we REALLY wanted to order this. He explained that most foreigners don't like its smell and often leave it untouched. We decided to try it anyway, and actually enjoyed it blended with chili and lime. A wake up call for the taste buds! Read more about Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Photos at the Genocide Museum - Phnom Penh, Cambodia

In contrast to its sunshine and smiles, Cambodia's recent history with the Khmer Rouge is dark and tragic. Tuol Sleng, originally a high school in downtown Phnom Penh, was transformed into a prison by the Khmer Rouge between 1975-1979. It's estimated that 20,000 people were imprisoned here; only a handful survived. The Khmer Rouge kept detailed documentation about its prisoners, including photographs like the ones you see here. Although much smaller, Tuol Sleng reminded us of our visit to Auschwitz in Poland years ago. Places like these are not particularly enjoyable to visit, but are necessary to appreciate a country's historical context. Read more about Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Kids on the Street - Phnom Penh, Cambodia

These kids were sifting through garbage near the bus station. Notice their wispy, lightly colored hair. We saw this almost blond hair in other kids as we traveled around the country. Read more about Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Vendor Balancing Goods - Phnom Penh, Cambodia

A vendor balances her goods on her head while strolling alongside the Mekong River in Phnom Penh. Read more about Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Street Garbage - Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Street markets, garbage heaps, people and transport complete this Phnom Penh streetscape. Read more about Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Cyclo Driver - Phnom Penh, Cambodia

A cyclo driver navigates the rush hour traffic outside the Russian Market in Phnom Penh. Read more about Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Monk with a Yellow Umbrella - Phnom Penh, Cambodia

We think of Buddhist monks as being of another world with their saffron robes and receiving their food as alms, but throughout Laos and Cambodia we witnessed monks trying to educate themselves in languages and technology. Not every monk stays a monk for a lifetime, so its also essential that they prepare for the possibility of leaving the temple. Read more about Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Altar for Chinese New Year - Phnom Penh, Cambodia

We were in Phnom Penh for Chinese New Year. Even though the main Cambodian New Year's celebration is in April, Cambodians also celebrate Chinese New Year with temple visits, decorated altars, and feasts at home, almost as if to hedge their bets and maximize their luck. Read more about Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Burning Fake Money - Phnom Penh, Cambodia

We saw this burning phenomenon in both Vietnam and Cambodia. Day or night, at the midpoint and ends of the lunar month, you'll find people squatting on the street feeding their "good luck" pyres with fake $100 bills. At Chinese New Year in Cambodia, the ritual becomes much more elaborate. This particular family gathered to burn fake money, paper business suits, paper mobile phones, and paper houses. Apparently, If you burn the paper representation, then you have a better chance of getting it in the new year. Now, what would you burn? Read more about Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Fake Plane Ticket - Phnom Penh, Cambodia

A fake plane ticket from Hell & Paradise Airlines awaits its turn in the Chinese New Year fire. Read more about Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Smiling Kid with Condensed Milk - Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Smiley kid and condensed milk (waiting for strong coffee to be poured on top). Read more about Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Royal Palace - Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Royal Palace - Phnom Penh, Cambodia Read more about Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Statues at the Royal Palace - Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Peaceful prayers outside a temple in the Royal Palace complex in Phnom Penh. Read more about Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Royal Palace - Phnom Penh, Cambodia

We were amazed at how well-kept and visually appealing the grounds were at Phnom Penh's Royal Palace Various plants, flowers, stupas, temples, and statues combined to create a colorful and peaceful environment. Read more about Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Graffiti Central - Phnom Penh, Cambodia

A woman composes a text message in front of a large wall of graffiti. Graffiti interpretation: the peace dragon devours hatred and evil in the world. Well, maybe that's Audrey's overly idealistic interpretation. Read more about an amazing sunset at Boeng Kak Lake.

Shrine and Cow - Phnom Penh, Cambodia

A cow at the altar? Now that was something new for us. Although the bigger temples in the Royal Palace have all the gilt, shine and fame, we preferred the smaller temples where local people prayed and made offerings for Chinese New Year. Read more about Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Plumeria Flowers - Phnom Penh, Cambodia

A Southeast Asian floral staple, the flowers of plumeria tree. Read more about Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Royal Palace Grounds - Phnom Penh, Cambodia

We were amazed at how well-kept and visually appealing the grounds were at Phnom Penh's Royal Palace Various plants, flowers, stupas, temples, and statues combined to create a colorful and peaceful environment. Read more about Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Bougainvillea - Phnom Penh, Cambodia

A sprinkler at the Royal Palace cools down some bougainvillea during Cambodia's dry season. Read more about Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Young Mechanic - Phnom Penh, Cambodia

These kids play on their father's tuk-tuk in the Boeng Kak Lake area of Phnom Penh. Read more about an amazing sunset at Boeng Kak Lake.