Phnom Penh, capital of Cambodia.

We docked at Phnom Penh in the early morning, after breakfast. Phnom Penh is the capital of Cambodia. We boarded our coaches to drive to Oudong, this took a good hour to get to where the monks live and study, after a tour of the grounds, we were then to have a blessing from the monks.

The tour of the compound was an eye opener, just to see where the monks live and study and the order of seniority was interesting. We saw where the nuns live and retire, rudimentary timber huts.

Different types of clothing on the status of the monks was enlightening as well.

The grounds are beautiful and buildings were well maintained and pristine.

The entry to the Buddhist Centre.

This is the photo of the monk, responsible for raising funds to finance and build this centre.

 Our blessing from the monks

 The monks eating area, shoes need to be removed before entering.

 Lovely gardens and sculptures with a large pond in the centre.

 Inside the temple.

 A golden Buddha

 The monks going about their daily duties.

 The snake represents protection and are depicted in all the sculptures surrounding the temple.

 Our two monks that gave us our blessing.

This is where the nuns reside.

Inside the temple.

 The walls and ceilings are very ornate with painting, symbolising life, these all tell a story.

The ceiling of the main temple.

After our visit to the temple, another optional tour was to do an ox cart ride, as we were up for some adventures we chose to do this tour, although it did take 1 1/2 hours to get to the village for the ride, it was fun and by doing this tour, helps local villages with some income.

 Here we are all set for the 20min ride to the village, 30 of us braved the ride, as we were pulled through the village the village children waved and was delighted to have us visit their village.

 Our ox cart, ready to board

 Off we set!

 The parade of oxen.

We concluded the ride in the village shrine area.

After our ride, we returned to the boat, had lunch and teamed up with another couple with a tuk tuk to go into the central market of Phnom Penh.

 Lots of jewellery for sale.

 Our ride ends.

 Lovely flowers for sale.

 More flowers, the Cambodians like US $ and so ever was priced in US $, I am pleased to say that I did not buy anything and neither did the other couple. It only took an hour to tour the markets, we then returned to the boat, for dinner. Tonight we were going to be entertained bu some school children just before dinner.

The school children performance.

We will stay a couple of days in the capital, tomorrow evening visit the killing fields.