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Published: April 15th 2009
Tuol Sleng Museum
Prison 21 formerly a schoolArrived in the capital of Camodia late last night , Phnom Penh. Intersting ride across the border,ended up getting a chartered taxi as the the mini bus that turned up for 20 of us had 12 seats. After trying for what seemed like hours to rearrange us and luggage....was not going to happen they ordered a taxi! First sampling of Camodian food at visa stop shack-think it was rice with pork, yummy anyway. Arrived at our new boudoir for next 2 days-Tatoo GH-flushed couple cockroaches down loo first before hiitting sack. Such friendly staff despite arriving so late at night, warm welcome.
Oyr 1st day in the cpital involved lots of history and sight seeing so started with a fab brekkie ar Garden Centre Casfe (highly recommended) and then we chartered a Tuc Tuc for the day (Camodonian style are far bigger and far more comfortable despite the roads been more like dirt tracks, alot more space on roads too). Spent the morning learning lots at Tuol Sleng Museym which was the secruity prison 21 (S-21) , formerly Tuol Svay Prey High School. A big eye pener to to the 1975-1979 Pol Pot take over where this place became a
Killing filds of Choeung
This photo speaks for itself, depressing trip but learnt lots horrendous prison for families of all ages of unimaginable torture. It was also the largest incarceration centre where a shocking 100 prisioners were killed daily. It wasn't pleasnt seeing the various means of torture but I think the worst [art was knowing this all only happened 3- years ago and the families we were passing in streets had been involved. Onwards to Killing Fields of Choeung Ek where about 20,000 of the S-21 prisoners were executed. Pretty depressing sight was the glass tower holding the 8000 skulls of various aged children, women and men along with our guide who recounted the horrors. The bizarre fact is that the international trials of the leaders of the Khmer Rougefor the crimes of genocide are mainly still to take place and I hear recently been all over news at home so I gues quite topical to read about.
Don't worry before you all get too depressed a couple of ice creams chnged the mood of the day and it wasn't ong before we were back bustlng with the locals at the famous Russian and Central market. These markets are sights in themselves to visit and gaze at the stalls from meat (freshly
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Glass towere containing 8000 skuls of various ages being hacked amongst the flies), to the recognisabe smelly fish stalls, jewrelly, clothes, all intermixed into a maze of shaded stalls from the now boiling midday 40s temps in PP.
Had a nice walk around the palace and silver pagoda while chatting away to loal girl trying to convince us she needed more money to go to school-her english was amazing compared to the adults so it was only right tobuy a few bottles of water off her for a few riel (pence). Decided after a riverfront stroll to take 1 of the boats up on their sunset rides which was derfinitely a good way to view the city from and even worth the few extra mosquito bites! Reminds me Mum we're all out of deet!!!
Our evening was spent being enertained watching the many western men pursue the many local girls on offer in the famous Sharkey's Nightspot-put it this way we were the only western girls in there and probably the only girls who were not "working". Very interesting culture and some very dodgy old men! Took a tuc tuc home via backpacker arae of Boeng Kak Lake area where we were advised muggings were high-definitely far better
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The bus they wanted us to get on having a drink there amongst all the locals creating their little ouside clubs with dancing where they were eagor for you to join in....now had we had enough margariitas....I'll leave u with that thought. Sweet dreams in our last night in Phnom Penh....
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