During our tour yesterday we were amazed at the construction going on. Phnom Penh is very different from Saigon and Hanoi, still a lot of motor scooters, but nowhere near the number in Saigon. It has a lot more high rise buildings, and there is quite a contrast between some very expensive looking buildings and basic huts. On the drive yesterday on both sides of the highway vast shopping malls and complexes and apartment blocks are being built. It is on reclaimed land and farms that were bought very cheap from the farmers and then on sold at vast profits to developers.
Chinese are the money behind the development and only Chinese have enough money to purchase when they are completed. Members of the ruling party do very well out of these transactions. Cambodia does not have any social services - no pensions or social security. While China has not been able to defeat Cambodia or Vietnam when they have invaded them, this is an overtaking by stealth!
After dinner last night we travelled on a remork, like a tuk tuk. Our driver was Dan and his number was 15, so easy to remember. We had a tour of the city at night and ended up ar a rum distillery. The city was very colourful and busy at night, on the way back we went through the red light district, which was very busy.
We got back at 10.15 pm - it was a great night.
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