Phnom Penh

On our first full day here we walked up to the Central Market which was surprising; instead of the usual market melee it was full of jewellery counters and quietly calm. Our next stop was Wat Phnom which wasn't as spectacular as those in Thailand. There were some shrines where it was chaotic - locals were making offerings of eggs and meat and cracked the eggs on the statues. It was quite a scene - flies everywhere, the smell of incense, queues of people.

More birds captured to earn money ....

This chap was entertaining - he held the lid open with one hand whilst rootling with the other. When he found something to eat he let go of the lid to use the other hand and the lid crashed down on his head. Not sure if he will learn or if he just puts up with the pain.

We walked down to the riverside to visit the Palace but had to wait as the Palace closes for 3 hours over lunch. We rested in the shade under a pavilion. There were several street people using it for shade - one girl of about 4 immediately put out her hand - it's almost a Pavlovian reaction when they see a westerner. Then an Indian Sikh came to chat - he said he was a tourist and a fortune teller (!) and looked well dressed and yes he asked for money too. In the photo is the street girl and, on the right, the fortune teller.