Monday, November 19, 2012

Phenom Penh, Cambodia





Our bus to Cambodia

Border crossing from Vietnam to Cambodia
We took a six hour limousine bus from Ho Chi Minh to Phenom Penh.  Our bus included lovely Cambodian music videos, a hostess handing out towels, sandwiches and water, and comfy seats.  Stacey and I arrived in Phenom Penh and settled into a coffee shop to wait for Stacey's friend who lives in the city and would be housing us for a few days.

Jane is a USAID worker in Phenom Penh who opened her house to us and gave us some great dining advice.  Our first night out we went a noodle house where they had fresh pulled noodles that the man was making right in front of our eyes.  They were the best noodles I have ever eaten (no exaggeration) and I am not sure if I will ever eat noodles again, unless they are fresh.

Our first Tuk Tuk driver

Monk walking the street barefoot.




The next morning we went to the killing fields, one of many fields where The Pol Pot regime committed mass murder.  Under his command 3 million out of 7 million Cambodians were killed.  Teachers, doctors, actors and actresses, entertainers, artists were specifically targeted.  It was a humbling experience that I would highly recommend to anyone coming to the area.  It makes you question humanity and why people inflict so much pain on others.

Memorial to the victims of the genocide

Bracelets in front of mass grave

Tree where executioners would bash babies heads in

Former mass grave site, hundreds and humdred's of bones where unearthed where the holes are.

 We spent the rest of the day exploring the city.
Beautiful palace

Independence monument

Yummy shakes from Blue Pumpkin

More monks

No comments:

Post a Comment