Not too early a start for a full day seeing Phnom Penh and learning about Cambodia’s turbulent history. Not sure how we feel about Cambodia yet as not as vibrant as Vietnam and there is a lot of building work making everything dusty. People are delightful but huge disparity between rich and poor which is probably due to the corrupt despotic government.
Our first visit was to the Royal Palace which was beautiful with temples, gardens and pavilions. The country still has a ‘puppet’ king who is an ex dancer with no wife or children!
Our next visit was to the infamous Killing Fields of Choeung Ek, a sight where more than 15,000 men, women and children were executed and buried in the days of the Khmer Rouge. A very sad and moving experience and we couldn’t believe that nearly 25% of the population died under Pol Pot in just over three years. Also that the UN only managed to bring 5 leaders of Khmer Rouge to trial and Pol Pot lived out the rest of his life in Cambodia without paying for his crimes. We then returned to the city to visit the Tuol Seng Museum of Genocide situated in a former school building which was used as a prison under the regime. Very harrowing with photos of all the victims who were tortured and then executed. The museum serves as a reminder for future generations and hopeful reconciliation and renewal. We met a survivor from the prison and purchased his book to gain a better insight into the time.
The next two stops, Wat Phnom temple and the National Museum were a little uninteresting after such a moving morning but we finished the afternoon on a short sunset cruise back on the Mekong with uplifting views of the city.
Quiet evening with just a few beers over the road as early flight to Siem Reap tomorrow.
Our first visit was to the Royal Palace which was beautiful with temples, gardens and pavilions. The country still has a ‘puppet’ king who is an ex dancer with no wife or children!
Our next visit was to the infamous Killing Fields of Choeung Ek, a sight where more than 15,000 men, women and children were executed and buried in the days of the Khmer Rouge. A very sad and moving experience and we couldn’t believe that nearly 25% of the population died under Pol Pot in just over three years. Also that the UN only managed to bring 5 leaders of Khmer Rouge to trial and Pol Pot lived out the rest of his life in Cambodia without paying for his crimes. We then returned to the city to visit the Tuol Seng Museum of Genocide situated in a former school building which was used as a prison under the regime. Very harrowing with photos of all the victims who were tortured and then executed. The museum serves as a reminder for future generations and hopeful reconciliation and renewal. We met a survivor from the prison and purchased his book to gain a better insight into the time.
The next two stops, Wat Phnom temple and the National Museum were a little uninteresting after such a moving morning but we finished the afternoon on a short sunset cruise back on the Mekong with uplifting views of the city.
Quiet evening with just a few beers over the road as early flight to Siem Reap tomorrow.
Emma
2020-01-24
I’m loving the blog and fabulous photos. Keep them coming xx
Jane
2020-01-24
Makes for harrowing reading. No wonder you felt so moved xx