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  • An Evening Boat Ride at Phnom Penh

    Phnom Penh at Night: My Riverside Boat Ride Experience

    If you’re looking for a different way to explore Phnom Penh, taking a boat ride along the riverside is something worth trying. Instead of seeing the city from the streets, you get to experience Phnom Penh from the water, with the city lights, riverside buildings, and the Royal Palace creating a completely different atmosphere.

    I decided to try the boat ride during the weekend, and it turned out to be more than just a boat trip.

    A Weekend Evening at Phnom Penh Riverside

    Before getting on the boat, I spent some time exploring the riverside.

    On weekends, the riverside becomes a car-free area in the evening, which makes the whole atmosphere much more lively. There were many food stalls, drinks, and small shops where you could walk around and enjoy the evening.

    So, if you arrive early, you don’t have to get straight onto the boat. You can walk around, grab something to eat, or get a drink before your ride.

    For me, I decided to buy an orange juice before getting on the boat. 🍊

    There are also food and drinks available on the boat, so you don’t necessarily need to eat beforehand. However, I enjoyed having some time at the riverside before boarding.

    The Boat Ride

    The boat departs approximately every 45 minutes, and the ride takes about one hour.

    The price I paid was $5 USD per person for a one-hour ride, which I thought was quite reasonable for the experience.

    I chose a 6:30 PM departure, but there was one thing I didn’t realize beforehand: I wouldn’t actually get to see the sunset.

    Because my boat departed later in the evening, it was already getting dark. So, if watching the sunset is one of the reasons you want to take the boat, I would recommend choosing an earlier departure time.

    I was a little disappointed that I missed the sunset, but honestly, the nighttime view made up for it.

    Phnom Penh Looks Different From the River

    Once the boat moved away from the riverside, the view became even more beautiful.

    The city lights reflecting on the water created a completely different feeling from walking around Phnom Penh.

    One of my favorite views was the Royal Palace. Seeing the palace from the river, surrounded by the evening lights, was incredibly beautiful.

    Sometimes we get so used to seeing a city from the streets that we forget how different it can look from another perspective. This boat ride gave me exactly that—a different view of Phnom Penh.

    Don’t Forget a Light Covering

    One thing I didn’t expect was how strong the wind could be once the boat was moving.

    The breeze was actually refreshing, especially in the evening, but it can get quite windy on the water.

    So, if you’re planning to take the boat, I recommend bringing a light jacket, cardigan, or something to cover yourself. Even if the weather feels warm when you’re standing at the riverside, it can feel much cooler once the boat starts moving.

    Can You Get Food and Drinks on the Boat?

    Yes!

    Besides the food stalls and shops along the riverside, you can also order food and drinks while you’re on the boat.

    I think this makes the experience more enjoyable because you can simply sit back, have something to drink, and watch Phnom Penh from the water.

    If you’re going on a weekend, I would recommend arriving at the riverside a little earlier. You can explore the car-free area, grab some food or drinks, and then board your boat.

    Is the Phnom Penh Boat Ride Worth It?

    For me, yes, it was worth trying.

    I didn’t get to see the sunset because I chose a later departure, so if I did it again, I would definitely hop on an earlier boat.

    But even without the sunset, I really enjoyed seeing Phnom Penh at night from the river. The city lights, the Royal Palace, the breeze, and the peaceful feeling of being on the water made it a fun experience.

    And at $5 USD for approximately one hour, I think it’s a nice activity to add to your Phnom Penh itinerary.

    My Tips Before You Go

    If you’re planning to try the Phnom Penh Riverside boat ride, here are a few things I would recommend:

    • Go earlier if you want to catch the sunset.
    • Arrive early on weekends so you have time to explore the car-free riverside.
    • Grab some food or drinks from the riverside stalls before boarding if you’d like more choices.
    • You can also order food and drinks on the boat.
    • Bring a light jacket or covering because the wind can be quite strong.
    • Bring your camera or phone—the views of the city and Royal Palace are beautiful at night.
    • Allow yourself some extra time to enjoy the riverside before or after your boat ride.

    Final Thoughts

    Although I didn’t manage to catch the sunset, I’m still glad I decided to try the boat ride.

    Phnom Penh has a completely different charm when you’re looking at it from the river. The lively weekend riverside, the food stalls, the cool breeze, the city lights, and especially the view of the Royal Palace made the experience memorable.

    If you’re already exploring Phnom Penh Riverside, why not see the city from the water too?

    Sometimes, the best way to discover a city is to look at it from a different perspective.

  • Exploring Phnom Penh After Dark: A Fun Night Bus Experience

    Phnom Penh feels completely different once the sun goes down. The streets become brighter with colorful lights, restaurants start filling up, and the city takes on a completely different atmosphere compared with the daytime.

    I decided to explore Phnom Penh in a different way — by taking a night bus around the city.

    I had seen the red sightseeing buses around Phnom Penh before, but I had never experienced one at night. So, I thought it would be fun to see what Phnom Penh looks like after dark from the top of a sightseeing bus.

    And honestly, it was a really fun experience!

    Where Can You Buy the Ticket?

    If you’re interested in trying the Phnom Penh City Tour, you have several ways to book your ticket.

    You can purchase your ticket directly from the ticket office, or you can book it online through:

    • WhatsApp
    • Telegram
    • WeChat
    • Bus Station

    The ticket information also provides a phone number for Phnom Penh City Tours.

    If you book through WhatsApp, Telegram, or WeChat, they will send you the ticket information and a barcode for online payment, which makes the booking process quite convenient.

    Ticket Office Location

    The ticket office is located at the corner of Preah Suramarit Boulevard (Street 268) and Preah Sisowath Quay in Phnom Penh.

    If you’re planning to buy your ticket in person, I recommend checking the location beforehand so you have enough time to get there.

    How Much Is the Ticket?

    For my trip, I paid $11 per person.

    According to the ticket information, the price depends on whether you’re a resident or non-resident and whether you are an adult or child.

    For the Happy Night Tour, the listed price is:

    • Resident child: $4
    • Resident adult: $8
    • Non-resident child: $5
    • Non-resident adult: $11

    There are also other options available, including the Sunset Tour, Night Tour, and Hop-On Hop-Off tours.

    So, if you don’t specifically want the late-night experience, there are several different tour times and packages to choose from.

    What Time Does the Night Tour Start?

    I chose the last evening/night ride, which was around 8:30 PM for my trip.

    The bus starts and ends at Independence Monument, so this is also where you should plan to meet the bus.

    Important: You should arrive at least 15 minutes before departure.

    I think this is especially important if you are unfamiliar with the area or if you need time to find the bus.

    What Is Included in the Ticket?

    One of the things I enjoyed about the experience was that it wasn’t simply a bus ride around the city.

    We received one complimentary drink, with a choice of soda or beer, as well as some chips.

    There was also fun music playing during the ride, which made the atmosphere feel more lively.

    So, instead of simply sitting quietly and looking outside the window, it felt more like a small evening activity.

    My Night Bus Experience

    The entire ride took approximately one and a half hours, which I thought was a good amount of time.

    Once the bus started moving, I could sit back, enjoy the music, have my drink and snacks, and watch Phnom Penh pass by.

    One of my favorite parts was seeing the city from a different perspective.

    During the ride, we passed by bright city lights, shops, restaurants, buildings, and different neighborhoods.

    Some places that look completely ordinary during the day can feel totally different at night when they’re surrounded by lights and people.

    I also enjoyed simply sitting back and watching the streets through the bus.

    Sometimes, when we’re traveling, we focus so much on getting from one destination to another that we forget to enjoy the journey itself.

    For me, this bus ride was more about seeing Phnom Penh rather than simply going somewhere in Phnom Penh.

    Phnom Penh at Night Feels Different

    I’ve been exploring Phnom Penh during the day, but seeing the city at night made me realize how different the atmosphere can be.

    During the daytime, you can see the city’s busy streets, traffic, shops, and everyday life.

    At night, the city becomes more atmospheric. The lights from the buildings and restaurants create a different feeling, and there is something relaxing about watching everything from the bus instead of walking through the streets.

    It was also nice not having to think about where to go next. I could just sit down, enjoy the music, and let the bus take me around the city.

    Don’t Worry About the Toilet!

    One small thing that I think is worth mentioning — the bus has a toilet.

    So, if you’re worried about being on the bus for around one and a half hours without access to a bathroom, you don’t have to worry.

    It’s a small detail, but when you’re traveling, these little conveniences can make the experience much more comfortable.

    Is the Phnom Penh Night Bus Worth Trying?

    For me, yes!

    I think the night bus is a fun way to experience Phnom Penh, especially if you’re new to the city or if you’ve already visited some of the usual attractions and want to see the city from a different perspective.

    I particularly enjoyed the combination of city lights, music, snacks, a drink, and sightseeing. It felt relaxing rather than rushed.

    If you’re looking for something different to do in Phnom Penh at night, this could be a fun option.

    And sometimes, you don’t need a big plan to enjoy a city.

    You can simply get on a bus, sit back, and see where the night takes you.

  • My First Impressions of Living in Cambodia

    Moving to a new country is always an interesting experience. You arrive with expectations, but once you actually start living there, you realize that everyday life can be very different from what you imagined.

    This is how I feel about living in Cambodia for the first time.

    My First Impression of Cambodia

    Before coming to Cambodia, I had heard different things about the country. I knew Cambodia was famous for places like Angkor Wat, but I also heard some negative things about safety and wondered what it would really be like to live here.

    After arriving, I realized that you can’t really understand a country just by hearing what other people say about it. You have to experience it yourself.

    My first impression was that Cambodia felt busy, interesting, and full of contrasts. There are modern cafés, restaurants, hotels, and shopping areas, but you can also see a very different side of everyday Cambodian life just a few streets away.

    That was one of the things I found interesting about being here.

    Getting Used to Everyday Life

    Living somewhere is very different from visiting as a tourist.

    When you’re traveling, you might spend your time visiting beautiful places and taking photos. But when you’re actually living somewhere, you have to think about much more ordinary things—where to buy things, what food to eat, how to get around, where to go when you need something, and how to deal with the weather.

    Even simple things can feel like a small adventure when you’re new to a country.

    I’ve also been discovering different cafés and places to eat, which is one of the things I’ve enjoyed about being in Cambodia.

    There are so many places to explore, and sometimes I just enjoy going somewhere new and seeing what it’s like.

    The Food

    One of the fun parts of living in another country is discovering the local food.

    Cambodian food has been something I’ve been getting to know little by little. Sometimes you find something you absolutely love, and sometimes you try something and realize it’s just not for you.

    But that’s part of the experience.

    I think food is one of the easiest ways to learn about a new culture because you don’t just see how people live—you get to experience it yourself.

    The Things That Surprised Me

    One thing I’ve learned from living in Cambodia is that your first expectations aren’t always correct.

    Before coming here, I had certain ideas about what Cambodia would be like. But after spending time here, I’ve started seeing the country in a more personal way.

    There are things that I really enjoy, things that I’m still getting used to, and things that have surprised me.

    And I think that’s what makes living abroad interesting.

    You don’t just learn about the country. You also learn about yourself.

    Is Cambodia Safe?

    Before coming to Cambodia, I had some concerns about safety because of things I’d heard about the country.

    After arriving, I realized that safety isn’t something you can judge based on one simple description of a whole country. Like anywhere else, there are places and situations where you need to be careful.

    As someone new to Cambodia, I think it’s important to stay aware of your surroundings, take normal precautions, and learn from people who actually live here.

    My experience is still relatively new, so I don’t want to pretend that I know everything about Cambodia yet.

    I’m still learning.

    What I Like About Living Here

    One of the things I like most about being in Cambodia is that there is always something new to discover.

    A new café.

    A new restaurant.

    A new neighborhood.

    A new food.

    A new experience.

    Even when you’re not doing anything particularly exciting, living in a new country can make ordinary days feel different.

    And I like that.

    What I’m Still Getting Used To

    Of course, living in a new country isn’t perfect.

    There are things that I’m still learning to understand and things that I haven’t completely gotten used to yet.

    Sometimes the language can be difficult. Sometimes everyday tasks are different from what I’m used to. And sometimes you simply miss the familiar things from home.

    But I think that’s normal when you’re living abroad.

    You can’t expect yourself to immediately feel completely comfortable in a new country.

    It takes time.

    My Thoughts So Far

    I’m still new to Cambodia, so I don’t think I can give a final opinion about what it’s like to live here.

    But maybe that’s the point of this blog.

    I want to share my experience as I discover Cambodia—not as a travel expert, but simply as someone experiencing the country for the first time.

    There will probably be things I love, things I don’t like, places that surprise me, and experiences that change my opinion.

    And I’m curious to see how I will feel about Cambodia after I’ve been here longer.

    For now, I’m enjoying discovering the country one experience at a time.

    This is only the beginning of my Cambodia story.