Passing Phonm Penh

I was not expecting great scenic or historical sites in Phonm Penh so I alloted just 2 days to go around the city before proceeding to my final destination in Cambodia which was Siem Reap.

The tourist area is around the Sisowath Quay along the Tonle Sap river. This is where the nice hotels and restaurants are located. You will also find restored french colonial buildings in the area. Sisowath Quay is nice enough for a pleasant afternoon or evening stroll by the river. The restaurants in the area are a bit pricey with meals costing an average of US$5.00 per person.

The best place I visited is the National Museum, housed in a beautiful pink painted building done in Khmer architecture. The museum has an impressive collection of Khmer artworks.

Best place to shop for souvenirs and presents to bring home like scarfs and Cambodian handicrafts is the Russian Market. The Old Market done also in Khmer architecture is worth visiting for cheap shoes,shirts, and fruits.

Vietnam to Cambodia: A River Runs Through It

Mekong River in Cambodia


Mekong River in Vietnam


To get to Cambodia from Vietnam, I opted to take a 2 day 1 night tour from Saigon Vietnam that ends in Phnom Penh in Cambodia. It was a pleasant boat ride along the Mekong River in Vietnam in a comfortable boat that brings you to Vin Xuong border.

At the Vietnam border, you will be brought by your guide to river side restaurants to wait while he takes care of getting your departure stamp on your passport. These cheap looking restaurants have unreasonably high prices considering the quality of the food. On my way to the Cambodia side of the border, saw cardboard sign which fell to the ground prepared by a unhappy tourist, "Beware of Scams in Vietnam border!"

Had no problems with Cambodia immigration. No visas required for Philippine passport holders. After clearing immigration, you will board another motor boat that will travel through the same Mekong River to bring you to Phnom Penh. I was unhappy with the quality of the Cambodian boat. It was a wooden boat but with no proper seats. So it was an uncomfortable 3 hour boat ride to the capital of Cambodia. Good thing that I found a reclining seat at the back of the boat which made the trip more pleasant for me.

East of Emirates

Instead of taking a tour to Abu Dhabi which is another modern city in the United Arab Emirates, I took a tour to its east coast. At least I got my first glimpse of the Arabian desert and countryside.

Nothing really great.... oasis towns, mountain scenery, canyons, beaches with fine grey sand, roadside fruit stalls, and a 300 year old fort which does not look that old!

Destination Dubai

Al Fajidi Fort and Dubai Museum

Burj Al Arab

The Creek and Water Taxi

Dubai Skyline

We flew Emirates to get to our final destination which was Egypt. Emirates offers free stopovers in Dubai. They will arrange for your transit visa in Dubai provided you avail of their stopover tours. So we took this opportunity to finally see the financial center of the Middle East.

You will like Dubai if you are after a progressive city with modern and high rise buildings and big malls. But if you are after culture and history, you will be disappointed. You will be brought to Al Fajidi Fort where the Dubai Museum is located during the city tour. Although the Fort is said to be at least 150 years old, it appears to be newly constructed/restored.

Nonetheless, Dubai is still worth visiting if only to get to see the great strides achieved by a once poor Middle East nation in the last decade.

Ramen in Makati

Noodles continue to be my all time favorite comfort food. And so when I heard about this place in Makati that serves good ramen, I just had to check it out. And it lived up to its good reviews!

Isshin on Pasay Road ( close to where Dusit Hotel is located and in front of Park Square) serves authentic Japanese ramen at very reasonable prices. With prices ranging from P155 (US$3) to P220 (US$5), the ramen choices are truly satisfying and serving portions generous. I particularly enjoyed the seafood ramen.

The place also looks like the ramen houses that you find in Japan. Service is warm and friendly and they provide free hot and cold tea.

The Old and the New at Alexandria

Since Alexandria was under the Greeks and Romans, you find such historic sites such as Pompey's Pilar ( a granite pillar build in 297 AD to honor Emperor Diocletian) and the Roman Amphitheatre. Impressive also is the Fort of Qaitbay, a fine example of medieval architecture.

A striking contrast to these old structures, is the very modern Biblioteca Alexandrina, which is both a library and cultural center. Its modern design is a refreshing sight amidst the old buildings that surrounds this famous library.

Alexandria Smiles

It is probably in Alexandria where you will find the friendliest Egyptians. The locals here are very warm and always ready to give a smile to foreign tourists. The children would ask for their pictures to be taken. And they take such a delight in viewing their photos on the LCD screen of a digital camera.