The Malaysian Prime Minister arrived for a three day official visit to Phnom Penh on Sunday night. The striped flags, stretched out in the hot Cambodian breeze above the gaudy red and gold frames, are Malaysian. The shaven headed man sitting demurely in the far frame is Cambodia's current monarch, King Norodom Sihamoni. A former ballet dancer he, somewhat reluctantly, took the throne after he was unanimously chosen to replace his father following the former King's abdication, in 2004. Sihamoni, soft spoken and humble and often seen smiling the creases round his eyes dancing, is known for his charitable work and is fluent in five languages including English and Khmer. The King is a small man with a large warm charismatic presence. My partner, who meets a lot of 'important' people, had the pleasure of meeting him in person last year and came home still glowing from the experience.
Not me James did at the Royal Palace one saturday morning then was asked to play soccer in the royal team (by one of the princes) on sunday. Pretty exciting!
Sadly Karen he is just the King. The country has been run since 1985 in one way or another by Prime Minister Hun Sen who is very different from the king.
What a beautiful photo...gorgeous art work! I can imagine it would be an honor to meet a king...and one who sounds as though he has such a warm personality...
I'll have to look up what it means to be...what you are since age 8! You must be an amazing person yourself...I see many amazing qualities emerging about you...
(Funny story about the pigs... Today's sure was a little cutie!)
Your photos and stories are fantastic.
I have told my son about them.
I'll have to look up what it means to be...what you are since age 8! You must be an amazing person yourself...I see many amazing qualities emerging about you...
(Funny story about the pigs... Today's sure was a little cutie!)
The 'sails' in my last shot are silos for something, perhaps the sulphur?