Yet another holiday for us! So while Honey is slaving away in the kitchen cooking my lunch, here I am typing two blog entries.
Today is the 53rd anniversay of Cambodian independence. Check out this amazing 20-meter tall, red-stone structure — the Independence Monument. It was built in 1958 in honor of Cambodia’s independence from France. It is shaped like a lotus and built in the Angkorian style. It consists of five levels with a hundred snake heads.
There was a wreath-laying ceremony at the monument this morning, presided over by King Norodom Sihamoni, to commemorate Cambodia’s war dead.
Just a little history about Cambodian independence. Cambodia was a protectorate of France from 1863 to 1953 and administered as part of the French colony of Indochina. I have mentioned before that the former King Norodom Sihanouk played a big role in the attainment of Cambodia’s independence. He was crowned king in 1941 when he was only nineteen by the French who wrongly thought that they could manipulate the young Sihanouk. They were greatly surprised when then King Sihanouk rallied for Cambodia’s independence and eventually attained it for the country on November 9, 1953. Until now, although he has abdicated, King-Father Norodom Sihanouk is still considered the Father of the Nation.
Just northwest of the monument is the Independence Park. This is just five-minute walk away from our office. So every weekday after work and before choir practice, Honey and I enjoy the golden sunset as we take our daily stroll around the park.
Today is the 53rd anniversay of Cambodian independence. Check out this amazing 20-meter tall, red-stone structure — the Independence Monument. It was built in 1958 in honor of Cambodia’s independence from France. It is shaped like a lotus and built in the Angkorian style. It consists of five levels with a hundred snake heads.
There was a wreath-laying ceremony at the monument this morning, presided over by King Norodom Sihamoni, to commemorate Cambodia’s war dead.
Just a little history about Cambodian independence. Cambodia was a protectorate of France from 1863 to 1953 and administered as part of the French colony of Indochina. I have mentioned before that the former King Norodom Sihanouk played a big role in the attainment of Cambodia’s independence. He was crowned king in 1941 when he was only nineteen by the French who wrongly thought that they could manipulate the young Sihanouk. They were greatly surprised when then King Sihanouk rallied for Cambodia’s independence and eventually attained it for the country on November 9, 1953. Until now, although he has abdicated, King-Father Norodom Sihanouk is still considered the Father of the Nation.
Just northwest of the monument is the Independence Park. This is just five-minute walk away from our office. So every weekday after work and before choir practice, Honey and I enjoy the golden sunset as we take our daily stroll around the park.
