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Published: August 11th 2013
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We have been in phnom penh now for a couple of days and its a great city, loads going on all the time. We're lucky to have got here alive though!! Had the worst 5 hour bus journey ever.......crazy driver with a death wish!! Hit speeds of 140km per hour on tiny bumpy roads. Despite being asked to slow down on a few occassions he carried on regardless. No wonder it was called an express service!! Never again, we almost hit people, bikes, trucks, dogs, tuk tuks, water buffalo to name a few. We was on the back row so pretty much a white knuckle ride the whole way. Buddha only knows how we didnt throw up.......anyway here safe and sound but perhaps a few more grey hairs to add to the ever growing collection.
Only been in the city for an hour and got ourselves a dinner date with two old ozzie blokes, johnny and ewan. Such a good night swapping travel tales. Also met a french couple who we met on the slow boat laos, its amazing who you meet.
Visited the killing fields and s21 today, heavy stuff is all i can say but glad i
went to pay respects. As ive already said before, google it if you dont know about pol pot and the khmer rouge. The human race can be so cruel to each other.....i wont go into too much detail as it really is emotional and upsetting stuff but what i will say is that at the killing fields the clothes and bones still visible in the earth provoked emotions ive never felt before. I also found a tooth, which i laid to rest in the special place there for all things found.
S21 was worse in many ways as you could actually see the torture equipment, cells etc. I kept having to come out for a breather as it really was too much at times. I didnt take too many pics here, the images are just to harrowing. Of the thousands that was brutally murdered here only 7 survived and one was there today. Finally my emotions crumbled when i met him and i cried....he gave me a tissue and beckoned me to sit next to him. He is one special guy and has captured all of his experience at s21 in a book, he is 80 odd now and
believes his story should be shared before the 7 survivors all die. I bought the book and am reading it now.
The cambodians are trying to maintain peace here by not digging up all the untouched mass graves, they believe if they did this it could provoke a revenge mentality amongst the community and that would destroy the peace.
I am deeply touched by this country and its people, as a nation they have been to hell and back but carry on smiling regardless. Cambodia will forever stay in my heart. Please visit this country if ever you get the chance.....
Big love to you all, today is about sharing the love. Hug it out with your nearest and dearest.
Peace and big love xx
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sue ladiges
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Mel heaven!!
Mel, this picture just sums you up! Your face says it all! what a cute little puppy. The other photos are so harrowing though. They send a shiver down your spine.Much love to you both and thank goodness you survived the bus trip xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx