I was seeking an introduction to describe our day in Phnom Penh so I tool a look at ChatGPT. Here’s what it had to say.
“Phnom Penh, the vibrant capital city of Cambodia, is a bustling metropolis situated at the confluence of the Mekong, Bassac, and Tonle Sap rivers. With its rich history spanning centuries, Phnom Penh is a captivating blend of ancient Khmer architecture, French colonial influences, and modern developments. The city boasts an eclectic mix of attractions, from the majestic Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda showcasing traditional Khmer craftsmanship to the haunting reminders of the Khmer Rouge regime at the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the Killing Fields.
Amidst its bustling streets and chaotic traffic, Phnom Penh exudes a palpable energy that reflects the resilience and spirit of its people. Markets like the lively Central Market and the sprawling Russian Market offer a glimpse into everyday Cambodian life, while the riverside promenade provides a serene escape from the city’s hustle and bustle. As the culinary hub of Cambodia, Phnom Penh tantalizes the taste buds with its diverse array of street food stalls, chic cafes, and upscale restaurants serving traditional Khmer delicacies alongside international cuisine. With its dynamic cultural scene, thriving nightlife, and warm hospitality, Phnom Penh is a city that captivates and enchants visitors from around the globe.”
We were visiting the streets around the port and downtown by cyclo, a form of rickshaw that is attached to a bike and peddled. Here’s a photo of the drivers lined up waiting for us and one of JoAnn comfortably seated in her cyclo waiting for the parade to begin. Lastly, one of the procession as it wound its way through the streets of Phnom Penh.
The cyclo ride was fun and as we went I managed to take a good number of photos of the city. In no particular order but to give you a sense of the area here is a collection.
I snapped this photo as the family of three, perched on their scooter, smiled at me as they passed by.
Some more of the city. As you can see, Phnom Penh is a collection of old and new.
Here’s a pic of the impressive electric company building.
And, I took this photo because I was intrigued by all the wires running along the poles.
Last, but certainly not least, is a picture of the central market taken as we wizzed by.
We paused at this monument to King Father Norodom Sihanouk who ruled Cambodia off and on from 1941 until 2004 when he abdicated as King in favor of his son Sihamoni.
And, we had this picture taken in front of the Independence Monument which was erected in 1958 to commemorate Cambodia’s independence from France in 1953.
Then we were off to the Royal Palace. A photo of JoAnn in front of the complex as we approached.
Built between 1866 and 1870, the Royal Palace has been the home to Cambodian monarchs ever since. The palace is a complex of buildings set on lovely grounds. I have endeavored to provide a good overview of the complex. But, as we were approaching we came upon a couple of recent graduates from the National University of Management who were having their photos taken with the palace in the background.
As I said, the palace is a complex of interesting and lovely buildings. Let’s have a look. As you can see, renovations and restorations are in progress.
The grounds were beautiful.
The Silver Pagoda is on the south side of the complex. It houses many national treasures. The most significant are the Emerald Buddha and a life-size gold Buddha which was originally encrusted with 9,584 diamonds. The floor is inlaid with more than 5,329 silver tiles. This photo is of the outside
Unfortunately, no photographs were permitted inside the pagoda but I snapped these shots of this magnificent mural which depicts the Reamker, an epic Cambodian poem, before I noticed the sign, “no photography allowed.”
We stumbled across a group of schoolchildren on a day trip fast at work.
Then we were back on our cyclos returning to the Viking Saigon. I managed to capture these photos as we were boarding our boat. The first is of boats moored along the Mekong and the last is a meeting mid-river.
