Advertisement
So another day and another country.
We left you guys back in bangkok when we had returned from our rather wet but enjoyable stay on Koh Samet. The next day we were off to Cambodia, and both of us were proper excited to be moving on, we felt we had seen enough of Thailand i the time frame we had and were looking for ward to a new adventure.
When we landed off our cheap as chips (45 quid) Air Asia flight in Phnom Penh we didnt know what to expect. However we were instantly greeted by the customs and immigration officials. This process was made so easy by their efficiency and obvious use of foreigners, took us maybe 15 mins from start to finish and cost us $20 each for our visa....sweet! We got outside and from research we knew there was a flat rate of $7 for a tuk tuk into town so we hopped in with a rather nice fella. As soon as we arrived at our guesthouse the owner came out to greet us and gave katie a free coke while i went up to inspect the room, he was literally the nicest
person we have met. I thought the room was fine we rolled up my sleeves and went back down for my favourite part.....the bargaining! I managed to get the $12 room for $6, its ok i will teach you all how some day!
So we have been in Cambodia only a few hrs and we are already completely blown away by the people, they are soooo nice, they want to do everything for you, of course most are trying to sell you things but they are not pushy and not rude they are respectful and curtious. We went for a meal by the river and settled in for a few of the local Ankor beers only 60p a pint! and then it began...............the beggars are everywhere comming up to you in the restaurant where you eat and drink, its really hard but i encourage you not to give them cash or you will be surrounded by ten more instantly. The streets are really dirty and the poverty is very clear to see. However when you have the chance to research their recent history it all becomes apparant and also understandable.
So the next day we went to visit
the grand palace, it is very similar to that of Bangkok just with very few toursists (this time we wore our own long clothes) there are some stunning pieces of art there and their history is very well documented. The king was at home as the flag was raised on the palace pole, however no sightings!
We were wandering around in our own little world and heard a band playing, so we decided to go check them out, next thing i know we are being beckoned into joining in. We both had a go at playing the instruments and generally rocking out with the palace band, it was unreal!
The day after we decided to conqour the killing fields, S21 and the russian market, we got a deal for the whole day costs us $20 for a tuk tuk for the both of us. I will say this if you only do one thing while your in Cambodia do this, you will truly understand the people and the pain they have suffered. We arrived at the killing fields and you are instantly greeted with this huge monument full from top to bottom with the remains of the people
executed in the genecide. This is a harrowing sight and was almost too much not only for katie but also for myself. To stand there in front of thousands of skulls knowing the story behind it and what they went through really puts things in perspective for you. Knowing the Kumer Rouge regime only ended 30yrs ago January just passed really shows the peoples suffering, the fact that its not the grandparents but the parents that lived through the ordeal.
You get to walk around the grounds which contains the exhumed mass grave sights where up to 450 people were burried in each grave, the signs all around detail the ways in which they were tourtured and murdered. The people clothes are still purtruding from the ground.....its really is awful.
After this you just have enough time to catch your breath before your off to S21. S21 is an old high school in the centre of town that was transformed in to a prison camp for the people suspected of treason against the regime. The people held here were torturerd day after day and then murdered either at the prison or at the killing fields, an inmates life
was expected to last no more than 7 months maximum. The buildings have been left exactly as they were found as an example of the bruitality that went on under Pol Pots regime. This includes blood stains on the walls!
After this terribly depressing but unbelievable informative morning we were taken off to whats called the Russian Market, now we menat to find out why its called this however we never got around to it lol Anyway its a huge market, very typically Cambodian with hundreds of stalls selling everything you can imagine. Katie and I purchased a Cambodian silk wall hanging (which we will be posting home) and i got a traditional Cambodian red checked scarf.
Since entering Cambodia it is the first time we have felt like true backpackers, really in touch with a country, where not everything is about hearding as many people as possible into a boat and off to an island full of other westerners. We have met many Khumers (cambodians) and they are truly wicked people that have the time of day for anyone that has it for them, a smile never goes unreturned here.
Scott & Katie
X
Advertisement
Tot: 0.049s; Tpl: 0.012s; cc: 10; qc: 27; dbt: 0.029s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.1mb