Khmer Independence Celebration

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For twenty-four hours, Cambodians celebrate the anniversary of their independence from France with activities, fireworks, and a parade in Phnom Penh.

Sunday 11/01/09 to Tuesday 11/10/09

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Every year on November 9, residents all over Cambodia celebrate the country’s anniversary of independence from France, achieved in 1953. For 24 hours, a celebration occurs all over the country. The main celebration takes place in Phnom Penh, Cambodia's Capital, at the Independence Monument (shaped like a lotus flower), located at the junction of Norodom and Sihanouk Boulevards. There are multiple cultural activities as well as a parade consisting of colorful floats down Norodom Boulevard during the day. At night, there is a fireworks show by the river, and important monuments and buildings, like the Royal Palace, are floodlit. Flags are hung in front of homes and businesses all throughout the country to show national pride.

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I would like to thank you and your company very much for its excellent organisation of our visit to Siem Reap earlier this month. We greatly enjoyed the visit and found it most interesting. We were well looked after from the moment we arrived to the moment we left. In particular we would like to thank Mr Sophoam, our guide. He was extremely friendly, polite and knowledgeable about his country, its history and the temples we visited. I shall be pleased to recommend your company to others visiting Cambodia and beyond.

Ian Gillis
Cambodia - May 2009

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