Destruction, History and Return to Familiar Territory

Destruction of a country and genocide of its people was basically what happened to Cambodia under the Khmer Rouge Regime from 1975-1979. It was a horrible time and the effects are still being felt today. Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, which was the takeover point, was emptied as citizens were forced in to the country side to work as slaves. The Khmer Rouge wanted a peasant- dominated society and anyone intellectual or educated was put into prison and executed. Tuol Sleng Museum, also known as Security Prison 21 or S-21, was the main prison in Phnom Penh and was a former high school.  The Khmer Rouge took a picture of every prisoner and those pictures are all on display, giving the museum a very eerie feeling as you look into the sad and scared eye of the victims. Those who were in S-21 were taken in the middle of night and executed at the Killing Fields of Cheoung Ek, 14km outside Phnom Penh. It is also is a museum with a monument full of victims’ bones and skulls at the center, honouring those who perished.  A visit to S-21 and the Killing Fields are very sad and depressing but also very interesting and eye opening and those who visit Phnom Penh really should go see the destruction for themselves.

Monument at the Killing Fields

At the Royal Palace

Thankfully, Cambodia is definitely recovering and tourism is helping in that regard, and thus Phnom Penh has lots of happier/positive things to see.  This was good as I had 4 day to spend there while waiting for my Thailand 60 day visa to get approved.  I did lots of walking around, while saying lots of no’s to tuk tuk and moto drivers on every corner (it can get a bit much at times being asked every block).  I visited the Central Market, the Russian Market, Wat Phnom, the Royal Palace, and the Silver Pagoda. The same afternoon I got my passport with my new visa back, I caught an evening bus to Siem Reap. Siem Reap is the home of Angkor Wat, the most impressive and coolest wat in the world. History resides on the stones of the many temples built in Angkor Wat park and the temples date back from the 9^th -12^th century.  The Bayon is 37 pillars with faces made out of stones, Ta Prohm has cool trees growing out of the stones and ruins, while Angkor Wat itself is just so impressive in its size and the detail of the reliefs (drawings) in the walls. I had a 3 day ticket and took advantage of it. The first day I biked around the little circuit (21km) checking out Angkor Thom , the Bayon, Ta Prohm and some other temples. Sieske and Sanne, the Dutch gals, joined me at my guesthouse on my 2^nd day in Siem Reap and we wandered and shopped downtown before going to Phnom Bakeng, a hill and temple, to watch the sunset. The 3^rd day, the gals and I shared a tuk tuk and did the big circuit, starting with sunrise over Angkor Wat.  It was awesome! I felt like a giant kid climbing all over these ancient temples and exploring the nooks and crannies of them. It was great to see the gals again too and we had a good time hanging out.

Bayon

Sunrise with Sieske and Sanne

Sunrise at Angkor Wat

 At Phnom Bok

After my 3 days in Siem Reap, I hit the road on a 10 hour bus ride through the border of Cambodia and Thailand, back to the familiar territory of Bangkok.  It was weird to be there again as it meant  the midway point of my trip. Still can’t believe I have been travelling for over 2 months now!  It was also nice to be in Bangkok as  I was able to see and hang out with Oh again. I ate all my meals at her food stand on Rambuttri. She makes the best spring rolls ever!! I took the river boat to visit the Palace and Emerald Buddha as I didn’t see them last time.  The Palace is very complex place with a multitude of building of religious and royal proposes. I also went for a walk in Chinatown as it was the day before Chinese New Year (Feb 3^rd ) and everyone was getting ready to celebrate. Would have been fun to be there on the day but instead I did some errands, had a wicked Thai massage and then caught a night bus to the port of Chumphon.  Arrived in Chumphon at 5am and then got the catamaran to Koh Tao at 7am, where I am currently taking my PADI open water course. I have always wanted to do it and Koh Tao is one of the most popular places to dive and to do diving courses which makes sense as the island is surrounded by reefs and the water is clear and warm.  Yesterday was my first day in the pool with my gear and I am really looking forward to 4 dives I have to do over the next couple of days. It will be sweet to have my PADI certification so I can dive in Indonesia and the Philippines in the next couple of months. Well I have a course book to read so hope this find everyone happy and healthy. Love to all xoxox