PHNOM PENH: a day in the city

After the race we bussed it back to Phnom Penh for a day in the city.  

Phnom Penh was an unexpected, charming, surprise. 

 

We took tuk tuks to get around

 

shopped at the Central Market

 hungry? just a little snack?  

 

We visited the Royal Palace. The building in this picture is just the Pavilion where they stand to watch parades. There are about 10 other buildings just as gorgeous.   

 

 

 

The Throne Hall.  

My favorite was the Silver Pagoda with its floor made out of silver tiles and its collection of buddhas, including an emerald buddha and a big gold one with diamonds. We even saw the relic believed of being ashes of Buddha himself.

 Natalie, Malia and me outside the Library. These girls were so much fun to travel with! 

 

 

We also visited the Tuol Sleng genocide museum. They had exhibits explaining what happened in this prison (originally a primary school) in the 1970s when the Khmer Rouge were in power. Over 17,000 innocent people were tortured and killed. In the 4 years they were in power the Khmer Rouge killed over 2 million Cambodians with their extreme brand of communism, and the infamous Killing Fields. their own people.  

It was sobering to walk the halls and read the stories.  Why was I born to such an easy life?

When I got home I cuddled up my boys and read them this book.

 

We were told Street 240 was the place for shopping and great lunch spots. Perfect. We walked in and out of art and clothing boutiques, and stopped for lunch at a french cafe. Such yummy food! the one good thing I can think of about colonialism.

On Street 240 we popped into Open Book, a library run by a NGO. I won't forget this lady, so grateful, covering her mouth with her hands, when we bought a couple books to support her library.  Like we just gave her a diamond necklace.

Or the tuk tuk driver who wouldn't take our 50 cents when we didn't realize we were so close to our destination, calling us his friends. Or the driver with the big white smile who recognized us from the day before and came over just to say hi - while he was waiting for his fare. Big smiles and kind words everywhere we went.

The National Museum

 

Watching the hip hoppers bust a move at the night market. 

Great trip! Thanks Natalie and Malia!!