Phnom Penh Getaway

The ride itself was long and a bit bumpy; I drifted in and out of sleep while watching the Cambodian countryside pass by through dusty windows. Fields, small houses, and roadside stalls, all slowly giving way to the busier outskirts of the capital.

By the time we arrived, the city felt loud, alive, and chaotic. We checked into the Patio Hotel, dropped our bags, and took a moment to freshen up. Cool air, a quick shower, simple things that felt amazing. Washing the travels off our skin.

For dinner, we found a small Vietnamese restaurant tucked away in an alley. If you don't know what to look for, you’d probably walk past without noticing. The delicious smell of herbs and broth fills the narrow space. The food was incredible: fresh, warm, comforting. Exactly what we needed.

The next morning, we went straight to Aeon Mall. Air conditioning hit us the moment we walked in, along with bright lights and the hum of a completely different world. Kiki was in her element; finally some proper shopping again. I mostly followed along, watching the contrast with a bit of amusement… though I did manage to win a free ice cream somehow.

We tried to find a dog café we had heard about, but after circling around and checking Google Maps more times than we’d like to admit, we realized it simply didn’t exist anymore.

A bit disappointed and very hungry, we jumped in a tuk-tuk and headed back. The late afternoon heat clung to the city, the air thick and heavy. Without much discussion, we returned to the same Vietnamese restaurant from the night before. No need to take risks when you already know it’s good.

Back in the hotel room that evening, things slowed down. We sat on the bed, scrolling through our phones… and somehow ended up looking at engagement rings.

The next day, we started with a small mission: getting the Nintendo Switch fixed. Once that was sorted, we somehow found ourselves back at the mall again. This time Kiki found a necklace she really liked.

Later, we left the malls behind and walked along the boulevard by the Mekong River. The air was softer there, a light breeze coming off the water. Boats drifting by, people sitting along the edge, the city moving at a slightly slower pace.

We stopped at a café and called my grandpa. Sitting there, with the river in front of us and his familiar voice on the phone, felt grounding. A small connection to home, even from this far away.

That evening, we went for dinner at a Nepali restaurant.

The moment the food arrived, the smell alone brought us straight back to the Himalayas. Spices, warmth, that distinct flavor we had come to know so well during the Everest trek. It was almost surreal, sitting in Phnom Penh, yet mentally back in Nepal for a moment.

The next morning started with a big, slow breakfast. No rush, just enjoying the quiet before heading back. Then it was time for the long bus ride to Siem Reap again. The same roads, the same passing landscapes, but this time with a slightly more rested mind.

Back home, we kept it simple. Lao noodle soup for dinner, one of our favorite spots in Siem Reap. Warm broth, rich flavors, familiar comfort.

And just like that, we were back.

Tomorrow, Bert arrives.