Phnom Penh

I've just arrived in Phnom Penh! Mr. Sothea, a very nice man who will serve as my translator and driver in Cambodia, picked me up from the airport. Before dropping me off at my hotel, he bought me a beautiful and fragrant reath made of Jasmine flower buds from a woman on the street and took me to buy a cellphone that I can use while I am here. The hotel I am staying in this week, The Pavillion, is beautiful.

The building also has an interesting history: "The main building was built in the mid-twenties, allegedly by Queen Kossamak, King Sihanouk's mother. Living here brought her closer to the Botum Royal Pagoda, where she often liked to go to pray. The architecture is an original combination of Khmer and French colonial styles."

I think I'll go take a dip in the pool and wander down the street to find some food.

Jasmine reath

My room