We woke up pretty early, had breakfast, lazed around (too much!!) and decided to walk over to our first sightsee for the day. We passed by several government buildings on route as well…
Portrait outside government building
Council of Ministers. Ministry of Justice.
First stop:
Royal Palace and the Silver PagodaEntrance fee: US$6.25. No photography inside the Throne Hall and Silver Pagoda.
Hours: Open daily 07:30-11:00 & 14:00-17:00
(We were chased out of the compound by 11AM lor, even though we only got in at 10.15AM!! Argh, the result of lazing around in guesthouse for too long…)
Path leading from ticketing booth to side gate…
Side gate to the palace
Cambodia's Royal Palace is the official residence of King Norodom Sihamoni built in 1886, when the capital was moved to Phnom Penh from Oudong. The Royal Palace faces towards the East and is situated at the Western bank of the Tonle Sap River in central Phnom Penh. The palace ground comprises a complex of buildings including the magnificent Throne Hall, where coronations and official ceremonies take place, the Silver Pagoda (the Pagoda's floor is covered with over 5000 silver tiles), an iron house given to King of Cambodia by Napoleon III of France, shrines, libraries dedicated to the past kings of Cambodia and several royal offices. However, a number of precious items once exhibited in the Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda were destroyed by the Khmer Rouge. Visitors are only able to walk around the Silver Pagoda and the central compound housing the Throne Hall.
For use of visiting foreign dignitaries
Dancing Hall
Victory Gate
Throne Hall with its entrance staircase flanked by lions and seven-headed nagas
Coronation throne
Ex-irish with Banqueting Hall
Garuda with outstretched wings to support the roof
Princess with Pavilion of Napoleon III
The Silver Pagoda has murals running around its outer wall, telling the story of the Ramayana. Its 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.
Murals painting
Niyana Mudra – Gesture of Meditation
His Majesty King Norodom’s statue and stupa
Temple of the Emerald Buddha
Stupa
Statues under the trees
Museum of items used by royal family
Artifacts for Royal Procession
Craving on the metal gate
As the visit to Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda ended much earlier than expected (we were chased out, so no choice!!), we decided to check out the supermarket and park near our guesthouse. Brought a tub of ice cream to savor in the comfort of our air-conditioned room too! Today’s a super sunny day…
Loveflower and Princess at the park
Ex-irish pulling the elephant’s tail
Tub of new zealand ice cream to share!
Second stop:
Phsar Tuol Tom Pong (Russian Market) We lazed in our room and watched cable movies for quite a while before we decided it’s time to move, else all the stalls at the market would be closed! The market got its name due to the masses of Russians who shopped here in the 1980s. Though the Russians have mostly disappeared, the bargains haven't. It’s a must-shop spot as there are tons of stalls there… clothing, bags, handicrafts, real and replica antiques and other knick knacks. Nice place to browse and we bought a few items from here too…
Shopping at the market
Notebook to record down our expenses. Yummy dishes!
We got back to guesthouse for dinner and more cable tv! Ah, the nightlife in PP is really boring, nowhere exciting to go!
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