A Photo a Day

APAD 031: Wat Phnom

Posted by on Apr 9, 2011 in A Photo a Day, All things Khmer, Cambodia life | 0 comments

That’s the bell-shaped stupa in Wat Phnom reaching out to the sky.
Wat Phnom (Phnom Temple) is a Buddhist temple that sits prominently on top of a tree-covered knoll. Wat Phnom is one of the iconic landmarks in Phnom Penh and is the only hill in the capital.

I have never been inside Wat Phnom but according to travel sites, inside the temple are bright murals that glow in the dark depicting the life of the Lord Buddha.

Many locals flock to the temple to offer incense, flowers, and bananas as well as prayers and ask for favours – for good luck and success in school, business and personal (read: love). There is an “in-house” fortune teller inside the wat and for a small donation, your future will be read through palm-reading or tarot-reading.

Locals come in free; tourists, however are charged with an entrance fee of $1. Be prepared to come with small notes when visiting the wat.

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APAD 030: Clear, summer sky in Phnom Penh

Posted by on Apr 7, 2011 in A Photo a Day, Cambodia life, Skywatch Friday | 4 comments

Warm days, clear sky, no rain, light breeze… that is how the Cambodian summer is like. Just like the day I took this photo. I just hope it doesn’t get warmer than the usual though – my electric bill last month has already skyrocketed and that’s mostly from using the AC machine and fans almost non-stop.

More sky photos at Skywatch Friday. 


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APAD 029: Khmenglish

Posted by on Apr 7, 2011 in A Photo a Day, Addicted to Meme, Signs | 11 comments

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APAD 028: Cycling in Kep

Posted by on Apr 6, 2011 in A Photo a Day, Kep, Wordless Wednesday | 4 comments

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APAD 027: Hello, moto!

Posted by on Apr 5, 2011 in A Photo a Day, Addicted to Meme, That's My World | 1 comment

This is a typical traffic scene in Phnom Penh. 
Moto-dop (motorcycle taxi) driver wearing crash helmet, check. 
How many people can a moto-dop hold/carry? This is a favourite subject of discussion amongst expats and tourists here in Cambodia. 
It depends. With cargos, or without? hahaha.
But in this particular picture, can you make a guess? 
Answer: A grand total of 4, excluding the driver. A woman, presumably the mother, sat side-saddle with a toddler standling on her lap, check (very dangerous!). A little girl squished between her and the driver, check. Plus another girl in front of the driver, with the pink plastic bank, probably sitting on the gas tank, check. Actually, last year, I have seen and photographed a moto-dop with eight 8 people on it. Unbelievable!

Now you imagine that.

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APAD 025: Sunday drive-by shot

Posted by on Apr 3, 2011 in A Photo a Day | 0 comments

This is the traffic situation this morning  as we approach the roundabout near the Chroy Changvar Bridge, aka, the Japanese-Cambodian Friendship Bridge, coming from France Street. It’s a totally different scene come regular days.

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