Phnom Penh, Cambodia is an interesting city full of contradictions–the busy streets contradict the towns seemingly slow pace, the prices are low but the quality is high, and modern architecture sits alongside traditional Cambodian architecture with ease. Two traditional Cambodian compounds sit along the Mekong River, epitomizing the grandeur of Cambodia’s past. These compounds house the Cambodian National Museum, and the Cambodian National Palace.
The Cambodian National Museum houses a plethora of art from throughout Cambodia’s past–it’s really quite a miracle, but the museum and all the art inside survived Cambodia’s civil war intact. Camera’s aren’t allowed inside, but we got several beautiful shots of the museum itself and the gorgeous garden in the museum’s courtyard.
Just a short walk from the National Museum is the Cambodian National Palace. Unfortunately, when we were there the palace wasn’t open to visitors since the King’s father had just died and funeral ceremonies were still taking place. It was interesting to see the palace during the ceremonies though–people were selling incense, birds, flowers and more, and monks and laypeople offered prayers in front of the palace. It’s too bad we weren’t free to wander the palace grounds, but it was definitely an interesting cultural experience to witness the aftermath of the death of a (former) King.
Which photo is your favorite?
