Phnom Penh, Cambodia

While Siem Reap has the allure of both the Angkor Wat complex and a very fun, backpacker vibe – I was thoroughly engrossed by t7he way Phnom Penh still wears its scars in a way that is quite visible.
Far from being the fairy lit, boozy fun town that Siem Reap has become thanks to its obvious tourist appeals,Phnom Penh has an air of sombreness to it that speaks to the very grim history that the the entire country has had to endure.
My visit to S-21/Tuol Sleng remains one of the most moving, confronting things I have done on the road, and the city’s proximity to the infamous Killing Fields makes it hard to forget just how much the people of this beautiful country have had to endure.
It’s not all doom and gloom, though. The people of Phnom Penh (and Cambodia in general) are amongst the warmest I’ve ever encountered, and the city has more to see than the grim monuments. The palaces, pagodas, and museums of the city are also worth a look, and there’s an abundance of great food to be found if you know where to look.
Special mention must go to the amazing Tamarind Mediterranean restaurant, where Nomadic American and I had a truly decadent and delicious feast on our last night in the country.