Chilling out by the riverside was one of my favourite ‘activities’ during my six week stay in Phnom Penh. Young and old alike would spend their early evenings here- talking, sharing food and mucking about in the river.

I was in Cambodia to help my sister out with an art project and we spent a lot of time getting to know the city by foot. We stayed in a wonderful place called Top Banana near the Independence Monument and Wat Lanka.

From here we could easily walk to most places of interest, including the many markets and monasteries. The roads in PP are insane. When we first arrived in the city we stood for about ten minutes trying to cross, before we worked out that the traffic will simply steer around you once you start walking!

My favourite memories are the simplest: watching an electrical storm play over the impressive National Museum at dusk, talking to people at the Independence Monument, admiring the sunset over the Tonle Sap river, jumping in a tuk tuk, getting caught in a rainstorm, getting lost, playing ping pong in someone’s front room and singing karaoke in their back… the list goes on and on.

There’s loads going on in this city. A real focus has developed on rekindling the traditional culture, nearly obliterated by Pol Pot’s despotic regime, while also encouraging new arts. The best way to experience this mix is to get a map and start walking.