Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda - Phnom Penh

We were not allowed to take pictures inside the Royal Palace or Silver Pagoda (or the Palace itself.)  They were absolutely beautiful.

 This is the Throne Hall.  It is topped with a 59 meter tower inspired by the Bayon at Angkor.  It is used for coronations and ceremonies.  Many of the items displayed here were destroyed by the Khmer Rouge.  It was very beautiful and very grand.

 This is the Chan Chaya Pavilion.  Many performances of classical Cambodian dance were staged here.

 Stan really took an interest in the scaffolding being used here.  He didn't think it was OSHA approved. 

Instead of bas reliefs, much of the storytelling was in the form of paintings.

 Ayla is keeping up on all the reading necessary to keep up with the guide. 

 This is the Silver Pagoda with a nice teapot in front.  The Silver Pagoda is named in honor of the floor, which is covered with more than 5000 silver tiles weighing 1 kg each - adding up to 5 tonnes of gleaming silver.  We got to walk on some of them.  The staircase leading up to it is made of Italian marble.  Inside, the Emerald Buddha (believed to be made of Baccarat crystal) sits on a gilded pedestal high atop the dais.  In front of the dais stands a lifesize gold Buddha decorated with 9,584 diamonds, with the largest, set in the crown, is 25 carats.