Asia Trip - Day 20 - Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Sat

28

Vientiane • Fly to Phnom Penh, Cambodia • Royal Palace After breakfast at the hotel, we head to the airport for our flight to Phnom Penh, Cambodia. After lunch on our own, we'll visit the Royal Palace, where former King Norodom Sihanouk still lives today. The palace was opened in 1870 and now contains the Royal Residence, the Throne Hall, and the Silver Pagoda (Wat Preah Keo Morokat), which draws its name from the more than 5,000 silver tiles that cover its floor. After checking in to our hotel, we'll enjoy an orientation tour of our surroundings by remok (the Cambodian version of a tuk-tuk, a three-wheeled motor rickshaw). Later this evening, we'll have dinner together at a local restaurant. Breakfast,Dinner 1 of 2 nights TOWN VIEW HOTEL NO.65. STREET 174, SANGKAT PHSAR THMEY 3, KHAN DAUN PENH PHNOM PENH Cambodia Tel: 011-855-23-982-057 Fax: 011-855-23-982-058 Website: WWW.TOWNVIEWHOTEL.COM

At breakfast Chear wrote my name in Lao on my card next to the Lao flag.

The bus took us to the airport where we did the check-in, security and passport control. At the gate we had some time to waste so we strolled through duty free. Look what they had there but everything was so expensive.

I was tatting to use the time and another tourist immediately changed seats to take a look. She is from Boston, lives now in England and knits caps for preemies. She then showed her collection to me.

The flight took about 1 1/2 hours and we even got lunch. Before landing I had a nice view of the Mekong.

We were met by our new local guide Leng and a bus took us straight to the hotel. Because of traffic that always takes longer then it should.
The view from our room on the 10th floor.

A table in our room with a bowl of fruit since we are traveling with OATs for at least the 3rd time.

They got this wrong though.

We had about an hour and then the bus brought us to the School of Arts where we observed children learning traditional dancing.

One of two girls who spoke good English and explained things. With the classical dance the hand movements are most important.

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I was very happy that they demonstrated how this piece of closing works.
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They asked for volunteers.
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And more audience participation.
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Back to the bus. James and I agreed that this was excellent. Much better and more fun than a serious professional performance would have been.

Back at the hotel we went to the rooftop where pool and bar are.

At 6:30 pm tuk tuks were waiting. These are very different. We were only two in each and they were much more comfy. It was quite a ride.
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A brief stop for a photo opportunity.

Then we are at the restaurant. This sign seams funny to us.

Local drink.

While we are waiting the new guide shows to us what the street vendors are selling: lotus seed pots. Got to pick the seeds out which are about the size of acorns, peel and eat. Tastes nutty.

Today's menu. Lots of delicious food. I ate too much.

The bus brings us back to the hotel. It was hot here today 95°F or so but no complaints from me. The air is lovely in the evening. The city is buzzing with life and very colorful.

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