Phnom Penh: A City I Won’t Miss 🥱

Still lingering in the magic of Siem Reap’s Angkor Wat, I took an overnight bus (12 AM–5 AM) to Phnom Penh to save time. Dropped my bags and headed straight for a disappointing citywalk. The Letdowns: 1️⃣ National Museum 🏛️ $10 entry + $10 guide (no audio guide?!) Exhibits paled in comparison to Siem Reap’s—felt like a waste of money. 2️⃣ Tuk-Tuk Chaos 🛺 Driver "accidentally" took me to Wat Phnom instead of Tuol Sleng (S21). "Foreigner fee: $1"—but no one collected it? Just followed the crowd in. Later, $5 for a $1 ride? Nope. 3️⃣ The Only Must-See: Tuol Sleng (S21) Genocide Museum A former high school turned prison under the Khmer Rouge. 20,000 imprisoned, only 14 survived. Heart-wrenching, but necessary—watched local students taking notes for school projects. The only place in Phnom Penh that moved me. The "Meh" Stuff: ☕ Cafés (Brown Coffee) & Restaurants (Malis, Mama Thai) Okay, but Thailand does it better. Street coffee stalls were the real winners! 🌙 Walking at Night (7–8 PM) Near Royal Palace & Mama Thai—no muggers, but kept my phone hidden. No "snatch-and-grab" incidents, just constant vigilance. ✈️ Tiny Airport + Random Perk Felt like a provincial Chinese airport. Tom Ford "Rose de Chine" at half price! A rare bright spot. Final Thoughts: "Glad I came, but never again." Phnom Penh’s only soul-stirring moment was S21. The rest? Overpriced rides, mediocre food, and exhaustion. #PhnomPenh #Cambodia #TravelDiaries #MixedFeelings ✈️💔