Uniworld Timeless Wonders of Vietnam & Cambodia Cruise: Phnom Penh
Royal Palace Phnom Penh Cambodia
Uniworld Timeless Wonders of Vietnam & Cambodia Cruise: Phnom Penh
DAY 6: PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA
Cruising aboard Uniworld River Orchid towards Phnom Penh as the sun started to rise in Cambodia was the perfect start to our morning. During breakfast in the Dining Room the ship docked at the Phnom Penh location where we would stay for two nights. This would give us ample opportunity to explore this city for the first time.
Phnom Penh – Uniworld Mekong Cruise
INTERESTING FACTS – CAMBODIA:
- Is officially known as the Kingdom of Cambodia
- Gained its independence from France in 1953
- Has a landmass of 181,035 square kilometers (69,898 square miles)
- Is a constitutional monarchy
- Has a population of 14.8 million people
- 50% of the population are under the age of 22
- Primary ethnic group is the Khmer
- Official language is Khmer
- French and English are also taught in schools
- Official religion is Buddhism
- Tourism is the fastest growing industry
- Textiles are the largest industry in the country
Viv and Jill take a Cyclo Ride in Phnom Penh – Uniworld Mekong Cruise
The included Uniworld 3.5 hour morning excursion was via a cyclo tour of the city. This also included guided visits of the Royal Palace, including the Silver Pagoda, and the National Museum.
Uniworld Phnom Penh Cyclo Excursion
Phnom Penh Tour
INTERESTING FACTS – PHNOM PENH:
- First time as the capital of Cambodia was in the 1430s
- Permanently returned to being the capital in the 1860s
- Is the largest city in Cambodia
- Has a population of approximately 2.2 million people
- Was once known as the Pearl of the Orient
- Is situated on the banks of the Mekong River
Royal Palace Phnom Penh
INTERESTING FACTS – THE ROYAL PALACE:
- Built in the 19th century
- Built in classic Khmer style
- Is the official residence of Cambodia’s reigning monarch – King Sihamoni
- Was built on the site of a former temple
- The Silver Pagoda houses the Emerald Buddha and is named after its floor – which has more than 5,000 inlaid silver tiles
Roof of Royal Palace in Phnom Penh
Statue on Royal Palace Phnom Penh
Statue at Royal Palace in Phnom Penh
Wat at Royal Palace Complex in Phnom Penh
INTERESTING FACTS – THE NATIONAL MUSEUM:
- Is housed in a Khmer-French style building that was built in the early 1900s
- Houses the world’s finest collection of Khmer sculpture dating from the 4th century
- Is the country’s leading historical and archaeological museum
The National Museum in Phnom Penh, Cambodia
National Museum of Cambodia
Once our time at the National Museum was over we had the option of returning (via cyclo) to River Orchid (in time for lunch), or staying in the city and exploring on our own.
Phnom Penh Cyclo Ride
We decided to return to the ship to enjoy a leisurely lunch before venturing back into the city for some late-afternoon shopping.
Phnom Penh Cyclos
Phnom Penh Royal Palace
Uniworld Mekong Cruise – Monks in Phnom Penh
Cyclo in Phnom Penh – Uniworld Mekong Cruise
Next… Central Market in Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Day 1: Ho Chi Minh City | Day 2: Cu Chi Tunnels | Day 3: Saigon City Tour | Day 3: Embarkation | Day 4: Cai Be | Day 4: Sa Dec | Day 5: Chau Doc |
