🇰🇭 Phnom Penh | A City I Won't Revisit

Honestly, before heading to Phnom Penh, I was a bit nervous—all those negative news stories about "compounds" in Cambodia made me worry I might accidentally stumble into some shady situation. But with a "since I'm already here, might as well see for myself" mindset, I went anyway. First Impressions 🏨 Stayed at Novotel Phnom Penh (surprisingly nice!) – a relief after all the anxiety. The Sightseeing Rundown ✔ Independence Monument: Fine for a quick photo, but that’s it. ✔ Central Market: Beautiful French colonial architecture, but inside? Endless rows of the same souvenirs—zero shopping appeal. ✔ Wat Phnom: Actually pleasant! The temple grounds were calm and photogenic. 🛍️ Shopping Malls? Even worse—generic and boring, with barely any international brands. 🍜 Chinese Restaurants Everywhere: Felt more like a Chinatown tour than a Cambodian experience. The Dark Tourism Dilemma ⚫ I planned to visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, but the heavy atmosphere at the entrance made me chicken out. Maybe next time... or maybe never. Final Verdict 🚶♂️ Walking around, I never felt unsafe, but the city just felt... underwhelming. Not terrible, but not exciting either. Definitely a "one-and-done" kind of place. Travel Realizations ✈️ Maybe the point of traveling isn’t to love every destination—but to learn what truly excites you. For me? Angkor Wat’s ancient ruins and Sihanoukville’s beaches sound way more appealing. Goodbye, Phnom Penh. 👋 Next stop: somewhere with real magic! #CambodiaTravel #PhnomPenhDiaries #OneAndDone #SoutheastAsia #WatPhnom #TravelReflections 🌏✨