From the kitchen at Bai Sor to the Silver Pagoda

The following day, after spending the night perhaps at the flamboyant Chef Nak Homestay, nestled in the forest just 40 minutes from the city centre, sleeping in wooden four-poster beds in the centre of rooms furnished with traditional textiles, or in the futuristic glass-and-steel building of the Rosewood Hotel, situated at the top of the Vattanac Capital Tower  , which stands 187 metres tall and comprises no fewer than 39 storeys, the time has come for an unmissable visit to Wat Preah Keo Morakot, also known as the Silver Pagoda. This part of the Royal Palace complex is well worth a visit in its own right because, whilst King Norodom Sihanouk resided here after taking his monastic vows in 1947, and the current monarch personally conducts Buddhist ceremonies here, you’ll come across the magnificent main statue of the Buddha encased in an emerald of inestimable value: what is most astonishing, however, are the 5,329 tiles of genuine silver that cover the floor. Post Office Square is also an interesting next stop, thanks to the French colonial style of its trendiest venues, such as Bai Sor, where renowned chef Tim Pheak delights in preparing dishes that showcase regional diversity, even using terracotta ovens. Meat, on the other hand, is the undisputed star of the show at Khmer Funk, whilst Kinin is an ideal spot for brunch thanks to its graceful architecture, where the trees and wooden furnishings exude a sense of calm and warmth.