Leaving Vietnam by boat we arrived in Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s capital. After a day of settling in and getting acquainted with the very friendly locals and delicious food we arranged a trip around the less savoury parts of the city to see the relics of the Khmer Rouge regime.
Located in a former high school the S21 interrogation camp is where perceived enemies of the Khmer Rouge were imprisoned and tortured in order to obtain confessions of treason and lists of accomplices. Those named would soon be arrested and suffer the same fate. Once the necessary confessions and denouncing of others had finished the prisoners were taken by the truck load to the killing fields for the final stage of Pol Pots political cleansing. To save money and equipment the executions were very brutal and a giant column of smashed skulls was a gruesome testament.
Back in the city we watched men in long boats race down the river in preparation for the annual water festival from the Foreign Correspondent’s Club bar. Since it was the King’s birthday while we were in town we paid the palace a visit to help give him the bumps. Unfortunately it seemed that all of the cake had been eaten by the time we arrived and there wasn’t a balloon in sight so instead we contended ourselves with a look at his solid gold, diamond encrusted Buddha.
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4 comments so far
November 11th, 2008 at 6:43 pm
Message from us at last (our connection to internet has been playing up and still is, where is Mark when you need him - gallavanting!!), wonderful to read and SEE your brilliant journey so far, what memories you will both have when you eventually come home to blighty, take care both and enjoy. Just read your mum and dad’s previous comments Helen, do hope they don’t come back here with eye patches, wearing headscarves and striped t-shirts - oh the mind boggles - xxxx
November 13th, 2008 at 11:24 am
Aaaargh me hearties?……..shiver me timbers?……pieces of eight?……..or what ever else pirates say!!!!!…….we managed to escape …….so far…..watch this space???
November 20th, 2008 at 11:32 pm
Photo’s show quite a contrast of the Have & Have Nots don’t they?……all that obvious wealth & all that gruesome brutality!
Nice picture of you/beer Helen, is that the King’s chair your sitting in Mark?
December 12th, 2008 at 12:37 am
Wow, you’ve got some amazing photos of Anchor Wat, that place really is incredible and has to be seen to be believed for its shear size and outstanding heritage.
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