Cambodia life

APAD 031: Wat Phnom

Posted by The Insider 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.

APAD 030: Clear, summer sky in Phnom Penh

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

>Wordless Wednesday 009: Rainy PP

Posted by The Insider on Jan 20, 2010 in A Photo a Day, All things Khmer, Cambodia life, Phnom Penh, sights, Wordless Wednesday | 5 comments

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This is how it is today in Phnom Penh, which is unusual. Rain doesn’t come till May.
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>Wordless Wednesday 008: A stupa rises from nowhere

Posted by The Insider on Dec 15, 2009 in All things Khmer, Cambodia, Cambodia life, rural, sights, Wordless Wednesday | 3 comments

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>Wordless Wednesday 007: A traditional Khmer wedding

Posted by The Insider on Nov 4, 2009 in A Photo a Day, All things Khmer, Cambodia, Cambodia life, culture, people, Wordless Wednesday | 3 comments

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>Pixel Bug Weekend 001: Sambo the Elephant

Posted by The Insider on Nov 1, 2009 in A Photo a Day, All things Khmer, Cambodia life, Phnom Penh, Pixel Bug Weekend | 4 comments

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More than a month ago, I promised Sassy Mom to join her Pixel Bug Weekend Meme. Well, to make the story short, I broke that promise simply because there were too many things for me to do that I’d forgotten all about it. Apologies, Sassy Mom. I hope it is not yet too late to join.

So for my first entry for the Pixel Bug Weekend, I am featuring Sambo, the elephant.
Sambo is the legendary elephant in Phnom Penh. Everyday, at Wat Phnom, she works there carrying tourists and locals on her back for a short walk around the temple. Every 4-5pm Sambo and her mahout are seen walking along Sisowath Quay as they head home. While I may be too chicken to get a ride, I had the opportunity to see him close enough one afternoon. I was waiting for a tuk-tuk when I spotted her ambling along the riverside. She stopped at La Croisette, just a few meters across me, and patiently waited for treats from the restaurant employees, customers and bystanders. She returned the kind gesture by entertaining them much to the delight of the crowd.