Cambodia part 3: Phnom Phenh

Day 6: 27 Feb, 2014

A quiet day today. It was a somber morning as I took the trip to the killing fields at what is now the Choeung Ek Genocidal Center. The mounds here are what remains of the mass graves dug during Pol Pot’s regime.

There was a monument at the center where all the skulls that had been found in the area had been placed. It was pretty unnerving. You can see the hole on the right skull here which was probably made by a farming tool — bullets were expensive, so the Khmer Rouge would use farming tools and whatever else was in hand to dispose of their victims as fast as possible.

Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum

Next was a visit to the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum. Hundreds of Cambodians had been imprisoned here during the regime’s rule. It was repurposed from a school to a prison. Here you can see a wooden beam — that would have normally been used for rope climbing in PE classes — used for hanging prisoners instead.

The Khmer Rouge would place barbed wire across the balconies to prevent prisoners from committing suicide.

The Khmer Rouge would take pictures of every prisoner which at least meant that there would be records. There were samples of the forced confessions made by the victims on display as well. It was sad how just about everyone confessed to being a CIA agent and was forced to implicate their friends too

Went to the Russian Market area to browse around and then went back to the hostel the rest of the afternoon.

Met up with Uncle Joo Chong and Aunt. Elaine again for dinner. Was great catching up! Probably the best meal I had in Cambodia and it was very cheap too.

Waiting at the airport now for my flight. Didn’t do much today — walked to the Palace but it was closed for the morning.

A lot of people would say “back to the grind” but truth is I don’t feel that at all. For me travelling gives you perspective. Not just in a “there are people worse off than you” way (although that is true) but at the end of the day we need something to drive us and a way to earn our keep in the world :)

Travelling solo was a pretty good experience. I haven’t had any bad travelling buddies so far though, thankfully

I don’t think solo always better but there are always destinations where it’s good to be able to go anywhere and do whatever you want without worrying if you are having it too rough, whether you are being too stingy, waiting for people to get ready, deciding where to stay etc etc. Already thinking of my next trip 😊