Cambodia Trip Day 3

Day 3 began as another beautiful day in Phnom Penh. The weather was great again and we had plans that morning for a 2 hour Khmer massage. Rob had recommended a place called Champei to us telling us we HAD to get the 2 hour massage because 1 hour wasn't enough...so a 2 hour massage it is. The massage place wasn't too far from our hotel so instead of boarding a tuk tuk we decided to walk. I always enjoy a good walk, especially in a new place. Once we reached Champei we ordered our 2 hour Khmer massage then we were escorted to our rooms.

The massage routine was different from what I have been used to. There was a set of clothes to change into on the massage bed. A very large pair of pants and a shirt. It took me a minute to figure out how to situate myself in the past due to them being a size 50 in the waste...at least LOL. The Khmer massage is done on top of the clothing or she moves it out of the way during the massage. No oils or lotions were used but this was one of the best massages I have received. The massage being 2 hours long didn't hurt either. The massage also involved a lot of stretching which I needed because I definitely was feeling tight from our travels so far. She capped off the massage with rubbing my head which was AMAZING then silently said she was done and left the room. "WOW"... is what as running through my head and I will be getting another one or a few of these before we leave. Oh...did I mention that it only cost $14. Not too shabby! I'll be sure to describe my massage as well as the cost to my masseuse in Tampa. Although, I'm sure I'll still have to pay the $50 per hour there...

After some complementary tee and fruit we were off to lunch. We chose a Khmer cuisine place not too far from Champei and it was another good meal in Cambodia. The sticky rice for desert was EXCELLENT! It still amazing how good the food here is for the cost. I'll gladly give them $4-6 dollars a meal...I may have to have seconds LOL.

Next stop was the central market and the local mall. The central market was similar to the Russian market that we had visited the day before and the mall was pretty much the market except in doors. They were both nice to see but I didn't buy anything yet. I plan on picking up a few souvenirs from one of them before we leave.

After visiting the markets we decided to check out one of the Wats in Phnom Penh. We have past a few of them while we've been here but have yet to enter one to walk around. Wat Phnom was only a short walk from the central market and was a very nice place to visit. Along the outside of the Wat there are vendors, children playing, and people relaxing. Inside the Wat, or up the stairs, there were tourist, like us, but also there were people praying and lighting inscence. It was a calming experience to have. The atmosphere of the Wat was very peaceful and calming, which was a nice break from the organized chaos of the streets of Phnom Penh.

Once we left the Wat we headed back to the hotel for a short rest before dinner with the Cody's again. Tomorrow we would be off to Siem Reap to see Angkor Wat and some other temples in that area.

Almost forgot...we hit up the casino to see how we would do in the local no limit game. All I will say is we both left with a nice profit! Hoping we have to time to stop there again once we return back to Phnom Penh the last night before we leave...maybe the entire trip could be a freeroll LOL!

Another great day in Cambodia!

Fred