Leave the capital’s hustle and bustle behind and instead of lunching alongside the masses, opt for DIY dining and do something a little different.
Cambodians love to picnic and where there’s water you’ll find wooden structures straddling the banks, kitted out with hammocks. This is where local families love to laze away their days, packing a picnic and heading out of town for some down time.
Stock up on goodies at one of the supermarkets – try Lucky on Sihanouk Boulevard or Thai Hout on Street 63 – or for some upmarket deli products, hit Digby’s on Street 63 or MU Gourmet on Street 51 for a range of luxury eats.
With the picnic packed, get a tuk tuk and go to Tonle Bati Lake, about 30km from Phnom Penh.
As a popular picnic spot with locals, the lake is surrounded by bamboo structures that can be hired for the day for a few bucks – settle on a price before you settle down. Tonle Bati is also home to Ta Prohm – different to Angkor’s Ta Prohm – and Yeay Peov and Wat Tonle Bati pagoda, which dates back to 1576.
Kien Svay, about 1.5 hours away in tuk tuk, is another option, with plenty of picnic spots surrounding the large lake there.
