February 23rd 2025, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Good afternoon from Phnom Penh. Before I give my first impressions of Cambodia I think I need to go back to my Lao review to give it the respect it deserves. I entered Lao solo traveling, with little plan and no bookings. I embraced the spontaneity of the adventure, not booking accommodation or tickets in advance. I really liked traveling this way. You get cheaper deals, and better finds. It always worked out thankfully. I was able to change my plans on a dime because I had all the flexibility in the world. That is all. I took a 10 hour bus from Don Det to the capital of Cambodia, Phnom Penh, yesterday. I booked the VIP bus for 35 dollars which had nice reclining chairs, solid wifi and a meal included. It was totally worth it. The ride was super long and exhausting but not the worst thing. Immediately when I arrived in Phnom Penh I realized it was way nicer and cleaner than I expected. Maybe this is because I was coming from Lao. Walking around today I was really impressed. There are really nice high rise apartments being built, tons of vibe cafes, and a bunch of international restaurants. Today I started my day by going to the sauna and cold plunge. I found a place for five dollars. Wow it made me feel amazing after a 10 hour bus ride. It makes my body and mind sharp. I would do it everyday if I could. I walked around the city and saw Japanese influence with sushi restaurants, flags, and more. As I said the city is pretty clean for a SE Asian city. I went to the mall to get some toiletries. It was really nice being able to be a consumer again. I like consuming. I think being in Lao for a month gassed me. Now I have the option of what kind of food to eat, where to go and more. It is nice and is making me feel better. Taking it chill today before heading to the islands. I need to learn more about Cambodian culture and some basic phrases. I find myself saying Lao phrases because I was in so deep!