July 13th, 2014
A full day in Phnom Penh
I was right about the breakfast! That’s a great way to start the day isn’t it?
So there are some very disturbing things in Cambodian history. And not a long long time ago…we are talking about in my lifetime. Which isn’t very long.
From 1975-1979 the Khmer Rouge killed 3 million of the 8 million people in Cambodia. There were 300 sites where this was done, but the most famous one, the Killing Fields, Choeung Ek Genocidal Center, is 15km from Phnom Penh so we decided to hire a tuk tuk for a half day ($15 (see why the $10 from the airport wasn’t a fab deal?)) and go out and observe, pay our respects and learn what happened. It was really awful. I can’t even fathom it. And I’ve seen it now…..very real and very graphic. I didn’t take any pictures. Then we went back into the city to go to visit the Genocide Museum TUOL SLENG (also known as S21 Museum). This is where the prisoners were held tortured and “interrogated” before they were sent to be executed at Choeung Ek. Also very awful to see.
That’s all I have to say about that.
The roads we travelled today were more than sketchy to say the least. Can’t believe the places that motorcycles and tuk tuks can go. Cars and trucks also actually…
The road was a cement path that was wide enough for one car, one path for each direction. Until it got to the point where there wasn’t a path anymore, and it was a dirt road. All fine until it rains I suppose.
We got back to the hotel around 4:00 and after freshening up we headed out to meet Vanna for a coffee. We met her father and two cousins (both 17). Made plans for supper at 7pm at the place up the street where Vanna’s sister works. While we were waiting for 7pm, we walked along the river again. My mind is blown by the traffic here.
Solid cars (99% Toyotas–over 50% of those are Lexus rx300), motorcycles, and tuk tuks going on forever.
We had another awesome meal at YingYen. I did have amok again, Troy tried a different dish, lok lac, which was so good, if I can, I will order that next time!
Also as I was sitting there gazing at the traffic, I noticed a tuk tuk with a few stickers….made me think of home!
So ’twas another full day. We are sticking around here for one more day before we head to Kampot on Tuesday at 2:45pm. Vanna has arranged for us to get the VIP bus. 😀😀
I am not sure what adventures we will have tomorrow. But I’m sure it will be good.
TTFN
