I'm too lazy to think of my own introductory note for PhnomPenh so I resorted to the ready made "introduction" from handy Wiki.
"Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, was also previously known as Krong Chaktomuk meaning "City of Four Faces". This name refers to the junction where the Mekong, Bassac, and Tonle Sap rivers cross to form an "X" where the capital is situated."
"The city takes its name from the Wat Phnom Daun Penh (known now as just the Wat Phnom or Hill Temple), built in 1373 to house five statues of Buddha on a man made hill 27 metres (89 ft) high. It was named after Daun Penh (Grandma Penh), a wealthy widow."
As it is widely known, the former capital and grandeur of the Khmer people was situated in what is now known as Siem Reap where the famous Wat of Angkor is located. The capital only moved to PhnomPenh when the Siamese captured Angkor Thom.
"By the 1920s, PhnomPenh was known as the Pearl of Asia" - Wiki. Did I ever hear somewhere that the Philippines is also called "Pearl of the Orient Seas?" ha ha, what could be the difference?
Cambodia was colonized by the French. Then there was the Vietnam War and the Pol Pot Regime which decapitated the Kingdom. But we are not going to talk about dark history here. Let's focus on whatever beauty we can find :-)
The Silver Pagoda
The Throne Hall
Moonlight Pavilion
"Chan ChhayaPavilion" is an open-air pavilion that serves as stage for Khmer classical dance in the past and present.
Perhaps it is also a lovely place for viewing the moonlight.
Who knows what they named this building?
The white small building on the left, the one that looks misplaced, was a gift to the King of Cambodia by Napoleon III
For sure, the Royal Palace Complex of Cambodia is less "complex" and I guess, later - built than that of the Siamese in Bangkok. This is so because, the real deal, when it comes to the building skills and magnificence of the Khmer and Champa peoples, is in Siem Reap!
Khmer styled Buddhas - different from Thai and Myanmar styles.
You can recognize the difference simply by looking at their faces - they look like Cambodians!
They catch the birds. You buy them, set them free while making a wish?
he is not scared ...
... he is in fact very scared and perhaps angry at me, but just too fat and heavy to fly away.
it's a temple drum, equivalent of a church bell.
the Khmer style of gamelan. it sounded really really nice.
colonial French art deco style central market.
"Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, was also previously known as Krong Chaktomuk meaning "City of Four Faces". This name refers to the junction where the Mekong, Bassac, and Tonle Sap rivers cross to form an "X" where the capital is situated."
"The city takes its name from the Wat Phnom Daun Penh (known now as just the Wat Phnom or Hill Temple), built in 1373 to house five statues of Buddha on a man made hill 27 metres (89 ft) high. It was named after Daun Penh (Grandma Penh), a wealthy widow."
As it is widely known, the former capital and grandeur of the Khmer people was situated in what is now known as Siem Reap where the famous Wat of Angkor is located. The capital only moved to PhnomPenh when the Siamese captured Angkor Thom.
"By the 1920s, PhnomPenh was known as the Pearl of Asia" - Wiki. Did I ever hear somewhere that the Philippines is also called "Pearl of the Orient Seas?" ha ha, what could be the difference?
Cambodia was colonized by the French. Then there was the Vietnam War and the Pol Pot Regime which decapitated the Kingdom. But we are not going to talk about dark history here. Let's focus on whatever beauty we can find :-)
Royal Palace Complex
The Royal Palace Complex was built in 1866 and was since the abode of the Norodom Kings of Cambodia. They occasionally leave whenever the country is in turmoil.
The Silver PagodaIts main building houses many national treasures such as gold and jeweled Buddha statues. Most notable is a small 17th century baccarat crystal Buddha (the "Emerald Buddha" of Cambodia) and a near-life-size, Maitreya Buddha encrusted with 9,584 diamonds dressed in royal regalia commissioned by King Sisowath. During King Sihanouk's pre-Khmer Rouge reign, the Silver Pagoda was inlaid with more than 5,000 silver tiles and some of its outer facade was remodeled with Italian marble. - Wiki
The Throne Hall
"Sacred Seat of Judgement." The Throne Hall is where the king's confidants, generals and royal officials once carried out their duties. It is still in use today as a place for religious and royal ceremonies (such as coronations and royal weddings) as well as a meeting place for guests of the King. Inside the Throne Hall contains a royal throne and busts of Cambodians kings of the past. - Wiki
Moonlight Pavilion"Chan ChhayaPavilion" is an open-air pavilion that serves as stage for Khmer classical dance in the past and present.
Perhaps it is also a lovely place for viewing the moonlight.
Who knows what they named this building?
The white small building on the left, the one that looks misplaced, was a gift to the King of Cambodia by Napoleon IIIFor sure, the Royal Palace Complex of Cambodia is less "complex" and I guess, later - built than that of the Siamese in Bangkok. This is so because, the real deal, when it comes to the building skills and magnificence of the Khmer and Champa peoples, is in Siem Reap!
Khmer styled Buddhas - different from Thai and Myanmar styles.You can recognize the difference simply by looking at their faces - they look like Cambodians!
They catch the birds. You buy them, set them free while making a wish?
he is not scared ...
... he is in fact very scared and perhaps angry at me, but just too fat and heavy to fly away.
it's a temple drum, equivalent of a church bell.
the Khmer style of gamelan. it sounded really really nice.
colonial French art deco style central market.
