A day in Phenom Phen

On Wednesday the 27th we visit the National Museum, which houses one of the world's largest collections of Khmer art, including sculpture, ceramics, bronzes, and ethnographic objects. The museum's collection includes over 14,000 items, from prehistoric times to periods before, during, and after the Khmer Empire, which at its height stretched from Thailand, across present-day Cambodia, to southern Vietnam. The Museum buildings, inspired by Khmer temple architecture, were constructed between 1917 and 1924.

We then walk the short distance to the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda. We also stop in at Wat Phnom, a magnificent temple overlooking the town, said to be the spot whereupon the city was originally founded.

Royal Palace

The Royal Palace, Preah Barum Reachea Veang Nei Preah Reacheanachak Kampuchea is a complex of buildings which serves as the royal residence of the king of Cambodia. The Kings of Cambodia have occupied it since it was built in 1860s, with a period of absence when the country came into turmoil during and after the reign of the Khmer Rouge. The complex is divided by walls into four main compounds, on the south side is the Silver Pagoda, to the north side is the Khemarin Palace and the central compound contains the Throne Hall and to the west is the private sector or the Inner Court. The buildings of the palace were built gradually overtime, and some were dismantled and rebuilt as late as the 1960's. But some old buildings dates back to the 19th century.

Spirit house in front of  Throne Hall

The Silver Pagoda houses many national treasures including gold and jeweled Buddha statues. It also has the small green crystal Buddha or the Emerald Buddha of Cambodia and a life-sized gold Maitreya Buddha decorated with 9584 diamonds, the largest of which weighs 25 carats. It was created in the palace workshops during 1906 and 1907, the gold Buddha weighs in at 90 kg and is dressed in royal regalia commissioned by King Sisowath. Photos are not allowed inside.

Outside the Silver Pagoda

After our tour we take a Tuk Tuk to find a hidden gem, the ARTillery tucked away in the new creative alleyway of Phnom Penh. It is an organic cafe serving fresh, healthy, creative homemade food and drinks. They specialize in raw, vegan, gluten free food and everything is prepared fresh every morning.The ingredients are organic and fair trade wherever possible. We then get into another Tut Tuk and head to the central market to buy kramas which are a sturdy traditional Cambodian garment with many uses including as a scarf, bandanna, to cover your face, for decorative purposes, and as a hammock for children.  Then another Tuk Tuk ride back to the hotel for a rest.  In case you are wondering a Tuk Tuk ride cost $1 per person.

Lentil and chimichurri baguette

Tuk Tuk ride with new friends from Canada