Mbah & Atok go to… Cambodia - Day 7
Day 7: Phnom Penh round n about
Friday 17 November 2023
This is a series of Mbah’s and Atok’s travelogs to Cambodia on 11-18 November 2023 originally published in Mbah’s Facebook (some original formatting have been modified to suit this blog page presentation). You can read the rest of her postings (and the originals in Facebook) here:
- Day 1 - Part I: Kuala Selangor - Phnom Penh (published in Facebook on 11 November 2023 at 18:08)
- Day 1 - Part II: Phnom Penh (published in Facebook on 11 November 2023 at 22:22)
- Day 2: Route to Siem Reap (published in Facebook on 12 November at 20:49)
- Day 3: Kampong Thom - Siem Reap (published in Facebook on 13 November 2023 at 21:50)
- Day 4: Angkor Wat & Lara Croft (published in Facebook on 14 November 2023 at 23:20)
- Day 5: Siem Reap round and about (published in Facebook on 15 November 2023 at 23:21)
- Day 6: The loop to Phnom Penh (published in Facebook on 16 November 2023 at 23:24)
- Day 7: Phnom Penh round n about (published in Facebook on 18 November at 00:08)
- Day 8: Phnom Penh (published in Facebook on 18 November 2023 at 19:02)
Today is kind of easy for nothing specific was planned. We could just say that it is up to our whims and fancies. Starting the day a bit later than the usual. We made our way our in search for breakfast at around 8. Upon looking at GMap, AK found another masjid - Jamia Masjid Preak Prah. The biggest mosque in Cambodia. Tablighi Markaz, Phnom Penh, Cambodia. When we arrived there, a few kids were playing. As we look further in the ground, there are other facilities like a madrasah and a canteen. Pengajian juga sedang berjalan di dalam masjid. Its an active masjid. We took a few pictures and the kids were rather curious.
Then we made our way to the nearest market which was only a few meters away. Our eyes were scanning all over the place trying to fix a focus. Everything was fascinating. The focus came about upon seeing smoke - barbecued fishes. Available seats. A place for breakfast. Many a time I saw nasi berlauk but not for us. Rezeki for today as the stall was selling a few local lauk with ikan panggang. We chose a small pealing and a slice of patin. On our individual rice plate, AK had liver with long beans while mine with Telur rebus masak kicap. The pelaling tasted like our ikan rebus while the patin was actually a salted piece. The whole ensemble was delicious.
We got talking to the owner Haji Norul Iman and Haji Amin who was in Malaysia for more than twenty years. He has been back to Cambodia for ten years and some of his family members are still in Malaysia. He said that one of his niece is working in Maybank Malaysia. We could sense the pride in that. From our conversations, we learned that:
- there are more than 800 Muslim families living around the area.
- there are four madrasahs near by the masjid.
- no compulsory schooling for the kids. The parents could decide to send their kids to a madrasah or a public school or a private / international school. In Malaysia, primary school is compulsory while discussions are being held to make secondary school compulsory too.
- the Cham Market is run mostly by the local Muslim population.
Before leaving, we bought 5 pieces of what look like lempeng (pancake) but the taste is similar to otak2 (fish cakes). It can be consumed just like that or with rice. Thus, a packet of rice was added in the bag. We thanked the two hajis and made our way.
The next destination was Europark, where miniature European landmarks are displayed. We saw the archway, took a picture and that was that. I went in just to have a short look, took a picture with the Eiffel Tower. That was that.
Then after, off to Cambodia National Museum which was located about 200 meters away from the hostel we stayed in the first day. USD10 per person. We met the second frumpy person in the form of ticket lady. The representations of Cambodian to us were friendly and courteous but not this one. She was eating while serving us and made no effort to share a smile. For someone who is working in an international setting, she should be more approachable. Or is it because we are Asian? We will never know the truth. The caste system is almost everywhere and we had experienced a few, at home and abroad. The only difference is the level of extremity.
To say that the USD10 was worth it is quite difficult. On one hand, we learnt a few things but on the other, we feel that a few more efforts to improve it should be carried out. For example, there should be an audio guide. Having to read all the descriptions on a fine print had proven very challenging. Furthermore, an audio guide helps to humanise the story of the artificacts. Spoken language could strengthened the message delivery. The museum was not big and it did not take that long to finish the walk about. Architecturally, it was an open concept so in part, it was cool and breezy but in others, it could be rather stuffy.
Nearing to lunch hour. Since we had the otak2, baguette would go nicely with it. A bakery was only a few steps away and two baguettes we bought. We too saw a lady selling banana and sweet potatoes fritters. 3 banana fritters for 1000 Riel and 5 sweet potatoes fritters for the same price. We bought 2000 riels for the first and 3000 Riel for the second. Almost the same price as in Malaysia. Yummy.
Had lunch at the abode. The otak2 and baguette made an appetising sandwich.
Din din time. Off to Maria's place again - Stoy Food Halal. Had the same barbecued beef (charcoal is used) but this time around with fried rice. A wholesome dinner. A must place to have dinner if you come to Phnom Penh. Scrumptious food with friendly staff. We stayed on for quite a while for there were still places to seat for other guests. This place would have been a hit in Malaysia.
Tried our luck to find Cambodia coffee to take home but no rezeki yet. A local said that we could try Orussey Market. In sha Allah. Will try tomorrow.
A rather laid back day. Alhamdulillah.
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