The Phnom Penh Visitors Guide 62nd

See &Do

La Rose Boat Traverse the Tonle Sap on the colorful two-floor La Rose Riverboat. Enjoy a sunset cruise along the Mekong, or go on a day trip to Silk Island for just $12.50, including lunch. La Rose Riverboat is also available for unique private parties, corporate events, or charter tours with a river cruise on Phnom Penh's fabled waterways. The boat features seating for 70 people and full catering is available. Call for reservations and event planning. Tel 088-8884900, 023-991938 If you prefer to do it yourself, independent cruise boats can be chartered from among dozens of cruise boats that cluster a couple of hundred meters upriver from the Port near Street 90. Just stop at the riverside and the touts will come to you. Prices are quite flexible. Generally speaking boats run around $20-$25/hour, depending on the duration and number of passengers. And you must be very specific about what exactly you want on the boat, where you want to go and for how long. Things like food, drink and tour services are not available unless specifically requested. Phsar means ‘market’ and a visit to at least one traditional phsar is a must. A typical traditional market is a sprawling ground level affair, open-air but covered, crowded with rows of booths and stalls. If you visit only one or two markets in Phnom Penh, begin with the Phsar Tuol Thom Poung (Russian Market) and Phsar Thmey (Central Market.) Both offer curios, souvenirs and a cultural shopping adventure. Other traditional markets have fewer items for tourists but can still be culturally and photographically interesting. The markets open and close with the sun. Traditional Markets

Central Market Phsar Thmey: ផ្សារថ្ មី Street 130 / Street 63 This distinctive building is a city landmark a unique Art Deco interpretation of a traditional market. Four

arms of the market converge in a soaring dome at the hub, perhaps reflecting the four arms of the chaktomuk (the confluence of the Mekong River.) Prior to 1935 the area was a swampy lake known as Beng Decho that received the runoff during the monsoons. The lake was drained and the market constructed in 1935-37 during the colonial period, and originally dubbed the ‘Grand Market.’ The central section of the market building displays an amazing collection of gems and jewelry. Souvenir vendors along the central entrance walk offer curios, statuary, handicrafts, silks, t-shirts, etc. (‘Phsar Thmey’ is properly translated ‘New Market’, but ‘Central Market’ has caught on in English.) Map Area G-9

Phsar Kandal Street 13, between Street 144 and 154

A typical, sprawling,low- slung local market similar to Phsar Chas. Meat, vegetables, fruits and tailors fill the north half while jewelers and

electronics stalls are located in the building next door. It’s a very local scene but as the market is only a couple of blocks off the riverfront tourists occasionally find their way to the coffee stalls and noodle shops. There is a comparatively large Vietnamese population in the area reflected in the character of the market. Map Area G-11

Russian Market Phsar Toul Tom Poung

south sides, but the rest of the market is well worth exploring. Don’t miss local food, drink and coffee stands in the middle of the market. Map Area N-7

Street 450, between 155 and 163 The Russian Market became the foreigner’s market in the 1980’s when most of the foreigners in Cambodia were Russians, hence the name. Unlike the Central Market this is a classic traditional market - a sprawling, single level collection of stalls - offering a larger, more varied selection of souvenirs, curios and silks. It is also one of the best markets for fabrics and has the largest selection of DVDs of all the markets. Most of the visitor oriented places are on the

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