Not all days are created equal and this day was going to be different from all others thus far. Our expedition leader Larry Prussin had filled every minute of the day with activities.
We awoke to find the Jahan still tied up to the wharf at Phnom Penh. After a delicious breakfast, we set off on a Phnom Penh immersion via “cyclo.” These people-powered contraptions allowed us to get into places confidently like a local, so we could observe daily Cambodian life, from tuk-tuk drivers starting their day with traditional breakfasts to watching monks collecting donations. Our final destination was the Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda. The palace and its antiques are a national treasure for a reason and they did not disappoint. After wandering through the different buildings within the temple, we were off to the National Museum to see and learn about the amazing artifacts it holds.
There is something special about travelling with Lindblad Expeditions. It always feels seamless, as though someone has come through and done all the thinking for us and found the “hidden gems” for our enjoyment. Our lunch at Topaz Restaurant felt like one of these occasions.
In the afternoon, we had a more sobering time visiting both the Tuol Sleng “S21” Prison and the Killing Fields. After learning about the senseless violence inflicted in both these locations, many of us left feeling changed.
Afterward, we returned to the ship and spent some time taking in everything we had seen. We freshened up in time for an elaborate BBQ, put on by the ever hard-working Jahan staff. We dined on the top deck, where local folk dancers performed a traditional Aspara dance.
