Haloranch

A tree appears to grow from the top of the temple This is the back of that tree.  Aren't the roots amazing? One of the  Bayon faces at the entry gate to the temples.

There are some great things about this convention. There are also some bad things.  Mostly, logistics. I understand it's hard to move 35,000 people around the city, and it's even harder to do so without tempers flaring. Last night, we waited 50 minutes for a shuttle bus to take us to our hotel route bus.  We should have been waiting in a single line like at the bank, or airport.  Instead, we were in 7 thick, ragged line and as one group was let through the exit doors, that line shortened and newcomers filled it it and consequently got out before some of us who had been waiting a long time. The university students had a hard time going nose to nose with aggresive, older Rotarians, who should have known better than to browbeat young kids into submission.  The kids held their own, but they should have had at least one adult to add some authority. And the Rotarians should have behaved better.  The whole event should have been organized better, ...

A stupa in the background, with Naga, a 7-headed cobra, in the front.  There's a clock in the grass in between the two. The Cambodian dancers, who are very reminiscent of Thai dancers. I love, love, love their hands.

The Royal Palace in Phnom Penh.  The king was not in residence on this day, but was visiting his 93 year old father in China. A Stupa, which is an elaborate place of rest for your remains.  This one would have been for a king. Inside what used to be the elephant house when the kings still used elephants for travel and war. Dancers at a dinner show The female dancers are beautifl and have exquisitely expressive hands.  I couldn't take my eyes off the hands, which are hypnotic with their graceful movements and arched fingers.

Angkor Wat is quite beautiful and even though we got there at 7:00 a.m., it was soon blistering hot. Still, there are many inside areas where we were shaded and cool. Our guide Lyping is excellent at giving us the stories behind the elaborate carvings inside, some of which stretch for 100 feet.  We also dressed appropriately, long pants and shoulders covered, in order to enter the top level of the temple and we saw some tourists refused entry because of their dress. There should be signs in town letting people know what is expected. But even without signs, common sense should prevail After all, would you enter your own church in shorts and a tube top?  Halleluljah!  Got to upload one photo but it took a long time so I'll have to wait to do the rest.