Day off - Royal Palace - Phnom Penh

Interesting visit of the Royal Palace


a Hindu god

 

the Coronation Palace (King Sihanouk was the only king crowned twice- at 18 years old and once back from his exile from China after the Khmers Rouges were defeated).

Garuda holding the Coronation Palace to make it float in the air

the living quarters of the King

the Treasurer: festive clothes of the Royal Guards

The Silver Temple - the floor is made of silver plates: the King gathered all the silver coins from the Cambodians exchanging to banknotes in the XIXth century and made the floor of this temple. It includes (among other) a human size statue of  Buddha in gold and diamonds.

the stupa where the ashes of King Sihanouk are laid

Day off - Oudong

After 20 days work non stop, a break was welcome.

the new face of Phnom Penh

and its traffic jams - note that most drivers wear helmet; this is another change.

The Tonle Sap River in Phnom Penh

It is hard to forget that the general elections are next month.

Hun Sen's ruling party supporters

Oudong, the former capital city of the Kingdom of Cambodia until 1860s. A huge temple complex and some old stupas with the ashes of former kings are what is left. The palace was destroyed by the Khmers Rouges.

 

 

Stupa containing the ashes of a former king

donations by year of birth

the stupas seen from the temple

In Sisophon

First day of training with a dynamic and interesting group of trainers. (see a+b=3 blog).

Lunch with Taingleng, the child we sponsor. It was so nice to meet him and his family again (we met in 2010 with Sebastien and Oliver). He likes studying.

A day in Siem Reap

After a very interesting meeting this morning, I spent most of the rest of the afternoon in the printing shop... old and slow printers, humid paper getting jammed... I ended up switching on my laptop and working there.

the printing shop

I am glad to be inside (it was pouring rain).

The staff invited me to share their lunch.

the road

Phnom Penh - Siem Reap, the main road between Cambodia's largest cities. 5 hours 1/2. 320 km.

the road- driving on the right (not always...)

the road

I can't stop loving looking at the rice paddies - so peaceful and gorgeous

motorbikes delivery

traffic jam

very nice fish at the Silk Lounge (near Salabai): the owner greeted me - she recognized me. Very friendly (and yummy!)

Phnom Penh

That must be my 15th time in Cambodia... I managed to order my breakfast in Khmer, but had to switch back to English when the waitress explained that what I chose was not available and I had to choose something else.

Very yummy dinner at Ratanakiri Restaurant yesterday night with the 'team' (Chhunny and Sophiep) and Chhunny's friend, Rithy.

The rainy season has started:

View from my bedroom: the gardens below are turning into a river

Commute to DB

Nice way to go to work... working day with Myriam in Discovery Bay.

The pier- stormy weather

IFC Tower in Central