The business district of Sihanoukville Cambodia where Sihanoukville Market can be found, is on a small hill with the beach areas of Serendipity, Ochheuteal, Sokha, Independence and Victory spread below like a skirt front, while our favorite beach Otres is 5 km away on the outskirts. Phsar Leu or Market Upper is central in the upper town, and is so named because it is in the same district as Wat Leu (Wat Upper). But don’t expect the Wat to be close by – it is 6km away.
You could argue that all Asian markets are the same and that we are all too familiar with photos from their fresh food sections. We usually visit markets to pick up our favourite fruit – Mangoes. They must be more expensive than bananas and pineapples here in Cambodia, because they never graced our (included) breakfast fruit platters.
Phsar Leu seemed a more user friendly version than some other local markets, with the wide central walkway offering a chance of escape from the squeezy corridors.
Orchids on Poles. We hadn’t seen this sight before. Notice the jeans and shirt of the first girl as opposed to the traditional Pajama suit of the second. The open central walkway of the Market can be seen in this photo.
Hairdressers are common in Cambodian markets. The areas set aside for them are usually in the centre of the market and can be unbearably hot and icky.
This one was quite spacious by comparison.
At this and most markets it is possible to get clothes made or altered, watches or shoes fixed, purchase gold jewellery or the kitchen sink and eat gastronomic delights on a scale from insects to banana fritters.
But we had come to Phsar Leu looking for a gift. My Dad loves shirts and has possibly kept every one he has ever owned. He sometimes arrives at a family BBQ decked out in the cuffed trousers he wore sixty or more years ago – still in mint condition. He was a bit of a looker back in the day and enjoyed dressing well, and at 88 years of age he still appreciates a new shirt. He only has one non-negotiable request – they must have a pocket.
What use is a shirt without a pocket?
In Barcelona in 2012 we found him a shirt with not one, but two pockets, but so far Cambodia was playing hard to get. Up and down aisles we walked, retracing our steps with no idea where we had or had not been, until out of the blue we found one.
A shirt with olive green flowers and prerequisite pocket for only 4AUD.
Walking home we came upon a French Patisserie in the same street as the market, where Mama sat peeling and finely slicing bags of apples by hand and from where in our seat beside her we ordered the end product Apple Torte with a Cappuccino. The Torte was every bit as good as if we were in Paris.
Talk about diversity 🙂
There is always a diversity of subjects over at Nancie’s Travel Photo Thursday at Budget Travelers Sandbox.
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That’s it…I’m going to the County Commission and showing them this post so that we can have our work attire policy changed. Pajamas every day! I love how shared your Dad with us and his shirts. By the way, Jan…he’s still a looker today! 🙂
I don’t know how pajamas became street wear, but it is the same throughout Asia. I think you might need a bit more cultural background before the County Commission will relax it’s views 🙂
Great photos 🙂
Thanks Lily.
What a great market. I love all the different things on offer. Your Dad looks very smart in his new shirt..hope you bought more than one for him at that price! Did you try a rose apple..they look interesting
I spoke to someone who bought some at the market and they said they were bland and not to bother Jenny 🙁
What some strange, awesome and photogenic delights you bring to us today Jan. I loved the food photography, but then I think the picture that captured my attention most was the woman at the basin with a facemask! Loved your Dad’s new shirt – very handsome!
That is an interesting photo Jo, I bet she has got whitening paste on beneath that mask 🙁
hello Jan! Loving the new layout: it’s been a while since I visited your blog. It truly highlights your amazing photography: look at those photos!
I keep hearing lovely things about Otres Beach and the surroundings in Cambodia: will have to check it out when I finally visit the country!
-Maria Alexandra
Otres is a lovely relaxing beach to spend the day on Maria and is less polluted that Serendipity in the heart of the popular area. We found staying near Serendipity and taking a Tuk Tuk to Otres when we wanted a beach day worked for us. There are islands off Sihanoukville as well 🙂 Thanks for noticing the new look of the blog!
Jan, theses are a fabulous selection of photos. They just seem to be getting better and better with a lot of punch to them. What an interesting market to visit.
Thanks Leigh I tried to give a sense of what it is like inside the market 🙂
He’s definitely rockin’ that shirt. 🙂 The rose apple and the tamarind look very interesting.
I loved the look of the rose apple but its taste is bland while the tamarinds are quite sour. Tamarinds grow in North Queensland where we live and I use tamarind paste in curries. Thanks for commenting Bob.
That is a beautiful shirt. And a very attractive price too.
I eat a few of those rose apples right now. We call them otaheiti in Jamaica. That’s a lovely bundle of sugar cane.
So Marcia, do you just eat the rose apples like an ordinary apple or do you prepare them in some other way – like cooking them?
I am leaving for Cambodia in 24 hours and should be packing (for myself +3 kids) but am instead reading your blog. I am hoping that I will come across some French influenced food while I am there. I would love to find a snow cone vendor like the one you show. You’ve also inspired me to finish off the mango I have in the fridge.
Enjoy Siem Reap and Angkor Wat. You have to eat mangoes while you have them 🙂
The photos are vibrant and colorful.
Mangoes also happen to be my favorite fruit, but they are also seasonal probably that’s why they never graced your breakfast fruit platters.
Looks like a fun excursion to Sihanoukville, I was planning on going once from Phonm Phen but there was a dengue fever outbreak that scared me and I decide to go to Batambang…love markets though
We liked Sihanoukville Noel, It is touristy but enjoyable.
Fabulous showcase for your photos, love all of them and now I have to visit….how could I resist with places like Serendipity, Independence and Victory xxx
I love your Dad’s shirt. I buy my Dad shirts when I’m in Chiang Mai, and he loves them. I have one waiting to go into the mail right now. By coincidence, it’s green. I love markets, and never tire of visiting.
That is quite a market with so many diverse things. A hairdresser in the middle of it all too. It’s like Cambodia’s outer mall. What a great place to spend the day and get lost. Love all those Asian fruits you posted. It takes me back to my childhood.
I have seen those rose apples in the Philippines as well but unlike the ordinary apples, rose apples are bland. Little to no sweetness at all.
Hi Jeanette. Yes I spoke to someone in Sihanoukville who told me she purchased some at the market and they were bland. Pity, because they look interesting 🙁