Cambodia: Wat Ounalom in Phnom Penh

****** Happy New Year! ******

On Saturday I got two postcards: one from Cambodia and one from Belgium.

The card from Cambodia shows Wat Ounalom in Phnom Penh. Phnom Penh is the capital of Cambodia and the country's economic and cultural centre. The city was founded in 1372 and was capital for the first time between 1434 and 1497, but after loosing the status it just regained it in 1865 during the French colonial era. Back then it was considered to be one of the loveliest French-built cities in Indochina and was nicknamed Pearl of Asia. Today it is again a popular tourist destination. Wat Ounalom is the most important wat of Phnom Penh and the center of Cambodian Buddhism. It was damaged during the Khmer Rouge period but has since been restored. The main complex houses a stupa that contains what is believed to be an eyebrow hair of Buddha.

Stamp:
55 years Cambodian-Chinese Friendship (from set of two) (issued 14-05-2014)

Thank You very much Jobbo!

Cambodia: Bayon

On Friday I got a postcard from Cambodia.

It shows the stone faces of Bayon. Bayon is a Khmer temple in Angkor. It was built in the late 12th century for a Buddhist king and was later modified by other kings in accordance with their own religious preferences. Beside Angkor Wat it is considered to be the most famous temple in Angkor.

With a nice stamp:
Lion Statues (from set of two) (issued 16-11-2017)
It is a joint issue with China.

Thank You very much Therese!

Cambodia: Siem Reap

On Monday I got two postcards: one from Germany and one from Cambodia.

The card from Cambodia shows again Angkor Wat. Many of the people visiting Angkor Wat pass the night in Siem Reap.

Siem Reap is the capital of the Cambodian Province Siem Reap.

Stamps:
Flowers (two from set of five) (issued 2008)

Thank You very much Elma!

Cambodia: Angkor Wat

On Saturday I got eight postcards: One from Canada, one from Russia, five from Austria (which I sent to me when I was there) and my first card from Cambodia.

The Kingdom of Cambodia is a state in Southeast Asia. Cambodia is bordered by Thailand, Laos and Vietnam. Phnom Penh is the capital of the country.

The postcard shows Angkor Wat. King Suryavarman II had Angkor Wat built as his state temple and capital. Angkor Wat is a national symbol of Cambodia and is shown on the national flag. Angkor Wat is since 1992 a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Stamp:
30 years AIDS prevention (from set of four) (issued 2011)

Thank You very much Elma!