Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous*

This weekend was another exciting time in Phnom Penh. Cathy and I, both not feeling 100%, decided to pamper, wine, and dine ourselves. After our lazy Saturday which consisted of our breakfast of champions, shopping and pedicures, we decided to classy it up on Sunday - crazy not to!

First on our list was to visit Wat Phnom - a Buddhist temple and the largest religious structure in Phnom Penh standing 27 metres above the ground. Legend states that Lady Penh, a wealthy lady who lived on the outskirts of a village located in present day Phnom Penh, built the temple in 1373. During the flood of the Mekong river, a hollow tree floated up to her lawn, and in the tree were four bronze statues of the Buddha. She saw this as a sign that the Buddha wanted a new home, so she built a temple.

 On the front steps of Wat Phnom*

The interior has a central altar complex with a large bronze seated Buddha surrounded by other statues, flowers, candles and items of devotion and worship. The walls are covered with murals, particularly of the Buddha's earlier reincarnations before his enlightenment. There are also murals depicting stories from the Reamker, the Khmer version of the Ramayana. There is also a small shrine dedicated to Lady Penh which is usually crowded with people praying and presenting food offerings.

 Central Altar in Wat Phnom*

Next on our list was to visit the Raffles Hotel Le Royal for High Tea. Raffles is a luxury five star boutique hotel in Phnom Penh first established in 1929 and then refurbished in 1997.  The international clientele predominantly consist of globetrotters and adventurers, writers and journalists, royalty and dignitaries.

We sat in Elephant Bar for our tea and three-tier pastry and sandwich treats. The Elephant Bar is absolutely beautiful with paintings on the ceiling and all along the walls of beautiful elephants and scenic landscapes. On the drink menu you can order a Femme Fatale, a cocktail named in honour of Jacqueline Kennedy from when she stayed here.

 High Tea in the Elephant Bar of Raffles Hotel Le Royal*

Cathy and I both felt as though Raffles must have played a role during the Khmer Rouge rule either as protection for foreigners or housing for the Khmer Rouge regime. As beautiful and sophisticated as the atmosphere was, you could feel the history and sense the significance as you walked down the long, marble hallways. It reminded me of the Hotel from the film "Hotel Rwanda". Sure enough, according to wikipedia: "Between 1970 and 1975 most journalists working in Phnom Penh stayed here, and part of the film The Killing Fields was set in the hotel. It featured in the film as the last refuge for foreign journalists before the Khmer Rouge forced all French nationals into the French Embassy."

After this, we headed to the riverfront for a stroll along the Mekong River and stopped in at this Irish Pub called Paddy Rice. We later learned it was run by a guy from Toronto (Scarborough) who came over to chat when he heard my accent.

After all our hard work during the afternoon, we went to Metro Restaurant for a late dinner. This place is a stunningly stylish venue with a real cosmopoltian New York look and feel. We treated ourselves to a bottle of Argentinian wine, a cheese and pate platter, and some tapas.

Metro Restaurant on the riverfront*

Can't live this way every day but there is nothing wrong with splurging from time to time!