After our initial arrival; being ripped off and searching for a better place, we happen upon the most amazing hostel called Number 88 Backpackers. The place is run by a humorous guy from Paisley who used to own a club in the city but changed to the 'quieter life' of running a hostel. Despite it being over our standard budget, the place was well decked out, played great music, was really up to hotel standard, centrally located and he selling point - it had a pool. The place also held a legendary pool party once a month. We stayed an extra night for the pleasure and had a great time - at around 12 they unexpectedly brought out a full samba band playing steel drums, amazing!

The city itself is pretty dirty and depending where you are and can seem rather hectic. I'm not sure if it was the fact that I had been travelling for a while and was getting used to the Asian urban environment, but I somehow found Phnom Penh very manageable and liked it a lot. There are a few beautiful temples lit up in the evening you are free to wonder around, a tuk-tuk mafia, lots of expats, and so funky bars and night life. We spent our time wondering in massive markets, buying sandals, eating the delights you can only find in a city, making friends with smart street kids and testing their geographical knowledge. The river front area is lined with tourist bars and restaurants, disabled beggars and kids selling drugs. It is a crazy mix that made me feel pretty uncomfortable, I didn't stay around here for long. Like much of Cambodia, contradictions are everywhere in Phnom Penh.

On our last evening, we couch surfed with the owners of a bar/hostel who let us sleep in the bar before we caught an early morning bus south. This was especially kind of them as we weren't even staying at the hostel. I love meeting people like this; who are just genuinely kind and open, and don't hesitate in helping others for no real personal gain. A characteristic commonly found in Asians, but these were Europeans!