Kings .... and Queens

So, we've arrived. After a second film, yet another 'square' meal and a mad dash through Bankok International Airport (huge, modern and otherwise nondescript) accompanied by a student hostess who had been charged with barging us through the crowds to ensure we made our connection, we hopped across another border on flight no 2 and landed in Phnom Pehn where Sarath, our guide for the next few days, met us with a Cambodian grin and a characteristic bow. 

The city was humming at night, the final vestiges of the Khmer New Year celebrations clinging on from the weekend just gone to eke out every last commercial opportunity, and crazy-busy from motorbikes with whole families aboard, small children wedged between their 'responsible' adults, cars taking the shortest line to everywhere, and the tuk tuk army transporting everyone else (more about those another time). 

Independence Memorial

Phnom Penh by night

During the short drive to our hotel Sareth gave us a potted description of Phnom Penh today and a conversation ensued about the royal family. Still in residence in the palace we will visit tomorrow (today?) the present king lives with his mother. His Majesty Norodom Sithamoni acceded the throne 3 years ago on the death of his father. Pondering this idea and imagining a youthful monarch bearing huge responsibilities I asked if he was very young and whether he had yet married to secure the lineage. I can't be sure but I thought I detected a wry chuckle when Sareth informed us he's 62 and no, no wives (wink wink).  Still, not to worry, his mother was one of 14 spouses to the previous king so there's no shortage of cousins waiting in the wings!

And so to bed - a huge four poster draped in mosquito nets where sleep was quick to overwhelm hastened along by a cold Khmer beer and the hum of the welcome air conditioning. A demain.

Haven!