AsiaLIFE

As the Phnom Penh International Airport enters its final stages of renovation, Lindsay Muscato finds out how worthwhile it is to check in early. Photography by Dylan Walker.

After more than eight months in Cambodia, an expat friend of mine headed to the Phnom Penh International Airport, and I rode along to say goodbye. We expected a tearful farewell, but within moments of wheeling her luggage through the glass doors, we were squealing with joy. We'd never seen a Dairy Queen in Cambodia before, and for us Americans, it sparked nostalgia for summers gone by. We were soon snapping photos of our M&M Blizzards and devouring the candy-filled soft-serve before heading to the ticket counter.

A trip to the Phnom Penh airport is a treat now more than ever, and not just because of the ice cream. The airport's new shops in the international terminal give travellers a chance to browse away their layovers and lighten their pockets of local currency before heading to their next destinations.

For those with a taste for the finer things, the duty-free Dufry Cambodia shop now offers perfumes and cosmetics by Christian Dior, Hermès and Prada; spirits from Hennessy and Glenfiddich; and cigars from Davidoff and Dunhill. Local retailers such as Bambou, Smateria and Waterlily have opened airport outposts of their in-town shops, giving travellers a chance to pick up unique last-minute souvenirs. For those desperate for airplane reading material, a Monument Books shop is also being revitalised.

It's all part of a major expansion that began last year, with much of the renovations completed in June but some are still on going.

Bambou, which opened its airport store six months ago, offers casual wear, summery resort clothing, t-shirts and children's clothing at four outlets around Cambodia, with two in Siem Reap. “The airport store has been a good move for the company so far,” says manager Nil Korm, who adds that its sales volume sometimes far outpaces the other three shops.

Smateria and Waterlily share one shop space. The Smateria store sells its signature bright, colourful bags and accessories made from recycled, woven plastic. Small wallets and bags work well as packable gifts that are more utilitarian than the average tourist trinket. Waterlily’s hand-beaded earrings and bracelets offer glittering but affordable ways to commemorate a Cambodian sojourn for those who missed the shop on Street 240.

The neighbouring Happy Painting Gallery offers charming depictions of Cambodia—cheerful cyclo drivers and jewel-laden elephants—through the eyes of French-Canadian artist Stef Delaprée. Originally founded in 1995, Happy Painting Gallery also sells the iconic pieces at locations in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap as well as the airport outlet. Postcards and small paintings slip nicely into carry-on luggage.

The dining selection is expanding too. August marked the opening of Pho 24, a Vietnamese noodle shop with locations in Phnom Penh as well as Indonesia, the Philippines, Sydney and Vietnam. Building on its popular riverside and BKK spots, Café Fresco has added an airport café, with coffee and gourmet bakery items for the weary traveller.

For an airport that can see nearly two million international passengers a year, it's a welcome upgrade. Similar improvements to the duty-free section of Siem Reap are also underway, making travellers passing through Cambodia even more likely to remember their visit fondly.

When it was my turn to board a flight in early August, I suddenly remembered a former colleague who would love a purse from Smateria, and a friend hosting me in South Korea who deserved a cute pencil case from Waterlily. As I picked up a tshirt from Bambou, my carryon became heavier, but at least I knew I would be making some people happy.