Phnom Penh Cambodia: chilling history but now focusing on the future

The public bus journey between Saigon and Phnom Pehn is not one to be undertaken lightly - or ever again! The roads are shocking, the dust is choking and the driver's obsession for sounding the horn knows no bounds. But eventually you and your eardrums reach the border, it's an impressive crossing:

Formalities are swiftly sorted out and visas obtained, then a few more bumpy dusty hours on the road including a fairly primitive ferry for a river crossing:

It makes the Greek ferries look like luxury liners.

There is a new bridge to replace this but it is not opening for another week or two:

Then finally I arrive in Phnom Penh, what a relief!

First step: grab a cyclo (ignoring the temptation of selfies!):

Then on to the Independence Monument:

Then another monument but I never did work out who it honoured despite it being so much more attractive than Independence Monument, I think it might have been the last king.

And the park leading from the monuments to the river:

A Buddhist temple, what a surprise:

And the Royal Palace complex:

The empty roads leading to the palace show how little traffic is allowed up this road:

And the Royal Family's private temple of worship:

On the green in front of the palace there is a very large display in honour of the King:

This is particularly eye catching at night:

As is the palace itself:

It is not known who will succeed the present king as he is not married and has no children ( nudge nudge wink wink, the rumour is that he's not a fan of the ladies).

The palace complex has some wonderful buildings:

And some jaw dropping displays of wealth none of which sadly you are allowed to photograph.

The National Museum is not only fascinating but is housed in a magnificent building:

A monument to Lady Penh:

Which is situated by Wat Phnom, classed as the central point of Phnom Penh:

An evening trip on the river is a fun way to spend a few hours:

I thought the building in the centre of the above photo was yet another temple but in fact it's a luxury hotel. And in the other bank you find:

Not quite the same level of luxury! And despite the obvious poverty you will always find Buddha:

But the skyline is wonderful at night as you don't see the depressing bits:

Despite the fact that monks are supposed to be untouchable and dignified I saw a boatload of them having a wonderful time with loud music, beers on board and cameras taking shots of the girls on the boat I was on, good luck to the monks, it's a pretty solitary life at times so why shouldn't they let their hair down every so often ( ok they all have shaved heads but you know what I mean!)

A day exploring Cambodia's dark history was scheduled the next day so I was grateful for the levity of the evening. But it is impressive how Phnom Penh has shaken off its terrible recent history and is building for the future.