Cambodia

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The bus to Phnom Penh was quite good, and due to a lack of people onboard, we could fully recline our seats into an almost horizontal position. There was a little phaffing at the border, but we had come to expect this of Vietnam. Luckily, our second encounter with Vietnamese immigration officials was considerably faster and less worrying than the first.

There was an instant stark contrast between the two countries. Many people were farming rice in the open flats. The land was quite flooded and lots of kids ran around beside the road, wearing either tops or bottoms. Despite the basic living conditions, whenever a child caught your eye they would smile and wave.

Phnom Penh was a stark contrast to the wooden shacks on stilts. The city was heaving with people and traffic. The buildings looked tired and worn, and almost everyone was desperate for a slice of the dollars in our pocket.

We hired a tuk tuk for a day and toured the main sights of the city. This included the stunning and ornate Palace, a temple, two markets... too much to see.

We also made it out to the Killing Fields where the Khmer Rouge had committed genocide against so many of their fellow Cambodians. It was hard hitting to hear the statistics and see the mass graves.

We went to S21 in the afternoon, the school reformed into a torture and concentration camp for those suspected of rebelling against the communist regime. The untouched classrooms/cells and striking photographic exhibits again shocked us.

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Comments

[mum murphy]

tea at the palace
So many palaces to visit like you we experienced an amazing gastronomical delight in Jodhpur palace just like the Ritz in London. So posh and a waiter each to wait upon you, imcluding in toilet where the boys were set upon by an attendant who produced soap, towels lavender water all at the drop of a hat, he even helped dry their hands. Now that was service!