After visiting the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda (called the Silver Pagoda because the floors are laid with pure silver tiles), and piecing together some history, we begin to learn more about the royal family and politics and people of Cambodia... seems like the last generation and King of the Royal Family was at least tacitly supporting the Khmer Rouge leadership. Did everyone who spoke out get killed? Would seem so. More than thirty years later, the PM and those who have political power in the country from the Communist Cambodia People's Party have Khmer ties... little wonder that those who committed genocide were never held to account.

[Aside: Interestingly, we also learn that the current King Norodom - son of the previous King - is rumoured to be gay, and his father had spoken out in favour of gay and lesbian rights in 2006. His mother, who still lives at the Royal Palace, has said to the press: "my son loves women like sisters." Snap!]

Also visit National Museum full of Cambodian artifacts from pre-Angkor and Angkor times. I'm drawn especially to the infrared photos in the gallery. We also visit Wat Phnom, the city's Buddhist pagoda on a hill in the city. It was created by Lady Penh for which the city became named. We hit the mid-day lull, quiet and peaceful on the hilltop and a cool respite from the heat of the city.

We leave this eve for a brief stop in HCMC before heading to the island of Phu Quoc for some beach time.