A well needed rest day in Phnom Penh, allowed a chance for sightseeing, replenishing stocks of pharmaceuticals and groceries and a bit more retail therapy for those of us who cannot get enough of markets.
Half of us headed to Wat Phnom, which is the main temple in the city. Situated by the Mekong river, legend has it Madame Penh found four Buddhas on the banks of the river and put these on the nearby hill and the temple was subsequently built on the site. This majestic structure is surrounded by a lovely parkland. The Wat was initially constructed in the 1300's, it has been rebuilt four times, the last face lift in the 1930's, and it is clearly showing a bit of wear and tear. The parkland was lovely and was home to a few monkeys, which of course intrigued us tourists. The site also had an arts and craft centre, which had beautiful homemade traditional wares, made by people from villages throughout the country.
A couple of the group stumbled across a Raffles hotel, and partook of a little luxury. The hotel boasts Jackie Kennedy as a previous guest, so clearly we were hobnobbing with the rich and famous.
The group dined at a favourite - Jars of Clay - with most licking their plate of schnitzel and mash clean. Early to bed as the anticipated pack up and departure in the morning was set for the crack of dawn. Goodbye Phnom Penh, you have treated us well.
Half of us headed to Wat Phnom, which is the main temple in the city. Situated by the Mekong river, legend has it Madame Penh found four Buddhas on the banks of the river and put these on the nearby hill and the temple was subsequently built on the site. This majestic structure is surrounded by a lovely parkland. The Wat was initially constructed in the 1300's, it has been rebuilt four times, the last face lift in the 1930's, and it is clearly showing a bit of wear and tear. The parkland was lovely and was home to a few monkeys, which of course intrigued us tourists. The site also had an arts and craft centre, which had beautiful homemade traditional wares, made by people from villages throughout the country.
A couple of the group stumbled across a Raffles hotel, and partook of a little luxury. The hotel boasts Jackie Kennedy as a previous guest, so clearly we were hobnobbing with the rich and famous.
The group dined at a favourite - Jars of Clay - with most licking their plate of schnitzel and mash clean. Early to bed as the anticipated pack up and departure in the morning was set for the crack of dawn. Goodbye Phnom Penh, you have treated us well.