The Thirty-minute Tour Inside the ROYAL PALACE Phnom Penh for $8 ?

I thought paying $8 just for a 30-minute peek inside the Royal Palace Complex in Phnom Penh was one desperate move but we had no other choice.I asked my friends and they all agreed ----andito narin lang tayo,why not make the most out of it.

It would have been a shame if we missed it.The reason is because we already purchased shuttle tickets to Siem Reap and the transportation was to leave 3pm with our things still at the front desk of the hotel.At least we got to enjoy a palace visit with less the crowd.Say,in Angkor Complex for example, the temples are amazing but it's difficult to take photos without photo bombs.

at the ROYAL PALACE Phnom Penh

Locally known as Preah Barum Reachea Veang Nei Preah Reacheanachak Kampuchea. It was built in the 1960's and served as the residence of Cambodia's kings. It is a complex which includes other significant landmarks like the Throne Hall, Moonlight Pavillion and Silver Pagoda (which i didn't notice) among others.

Moonlight Pavilion

Phochani Pavilion

The Throne Hall

My friends were amazed at the Royal Palace. I thought it's rather not as grand as other palaces in the region but it is a feel-good place.Clean,not crowded, you can appreciate how simple yet majestic it is.It's neat and pleasant to the eyes.I guess my friends were surprised coz they were not expecting something this beautiful in a rather simple city like Phnom Penh.

So what we did is more of sightseeing and picture taking.Say,what can you do for 30minutes? Luckily, the place is small.It was kinda unfortunate though that thr main hall of the Royal Palace was close for the public.Para lang kaming mga aliping sagigilid taking photos of the facade and sorrounding areas.There goes $8.The most expensive 30-minute tour in our Vietnam-Cambodia-Thailand leg.Instant gratification?

But it was okay.Seriously.At least the important thing is,we were there and we got to see and feel the place mo matter how brief it was.Another experience which made us know Phnom Penh a little deeper.Hope I could get the chance to return one day and learn about the place more.

And btw, after writing about the Killing Fields last time, I made a little research about Toul Sleng Prison which we skipped intentionally, it's a must see! I regret not going there.Another reason to go back one day.wink *****

ALSO READ:

• Ho Chi Minh City to PHNOM PENH via Mekong Bus
• The KILLING FIELDS Choeung Ek Cambodia
• Khmer Kor Koo Soup and Amok Fish in SINH FOO RESTAURANT Phnom Penh
• souvenir hunting + lunch at the CENTRAL MARKET Phnom Penh
• where NOT to stay in Phnom Penh: KHA VI GUEST HOUSE

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