A cultural half-day tour today, taking in the splendour of the Royal Palace where the King of Cambodia (no real power but constitutionally necessary) receives foreign ambassadors. I expected the Silver Pagoda to look silver but it has silver floor tiles.

The tour also took in the National Museum which had a strong emphasis of stolen artefacts being returned to Cambodia. I understand a little more about the history of this region, and Cambodia’s current situation. Much sadness. A descent from its greatness a millennium ago. Under the shadow now of Vietnam and China to name but two countries.

We saw the Waterfront where the king apparently goes for a water festival if I understood properly. Young children badgered one to buy food for the abundance of pigeons. We also saw another market, the Central Market which overflows from an imposing colonial structure. My guide pointed out the rubies being sold in stalls there, along with gold (popular investment here) and watches and clothes and phone and cameras and suitcases and fish and many varieties of food. I felt I disappointed my guide by not trying my hand at bargaining - but what I most wanted to take away from Cambodia was memories and the sights I had seen. If I tried to buy rubies I would probably end up with very expensive pieces of coloured glass.

On my last full day I went to to a Samatha Spa massage parlour for a Khmer massage, well the Iroha Garden Hotel had conveniently a special room for having massages. I rush to say I had checked first, my guide asserted a Vietnamese massage was the kind your travel insurance might not cover. The Khmer massage started with my feet being bathed in quite hot water, then kneading and stretching and tapping initially face down. The therapist seemed to try to pull my fingers off at one point but I’m sure that did them good.

Grab worked to get me to and from where I ate my last evening meal in Cambodia. Malis was a very stylish place, and I enjoyed my starter of Royal Mak Mee. Not sure the main was what I ordered but I try to be inclusive.

Played more this evening of Phoenix Wright which I have been enjoying this holiday. A very amusing game as Phoenix defends his clients against damning evidence.