Phnom Penh

We woke up this morning in Phnom Penh, the capital city of Cambodia. This country has had a very violent story in recent history with first the spillover of the American War in the 1970’s leaving tons of unexploded ordinance all over the country. Then came the brutal rule of Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge in 1975, murdering in the vicinity of two million citizens. This was followed closely by war with Vietnam in 1979. Our first visit this morning was to the Royal Palace. Cambodia is a kingdom. As is true in most of these oppressed third world countries, the decoration here was opulent.

On the same site as the Palace is the Silver Pagoda, so named for it’s silver floors. They do not allow photos in the interior of these buildings.

The stupas on the site are the burial sites for the ashes of the Royals.

Next was the National Museum. To be quite honest, we cut this one short with a cold drink holding sway.

The couple above with us are Michel and Fleurette, our New Brunswick francophone dining mates. The morning concluded with a walk through the Central Market. I think we are starting to get marketed out as we left empty-handed. The centre of the market is all jewellery - maybe real, likely not.

Dawn opted out of the afternoon agenda for reasons that will become obvious. Our guide Sophal was a child of the Khmer Rouge. Separated from his parents, he grew up in the rice paddies and didn’t really get any schooling until he was 14. Our bus driver is also shown below.

So, the first stop was a former high school turned into a prison and torture chamber by Pol Pot and the Khmer and now the Tuol Sleng genocide Museum. The barbed wire here was installed by the Khmer. Of the 20,000 prisoners that were here only seven survived. These four children were among the survivors of this genocide. I excluded myself from the description of much of the torture here.

One building was devoted to the victims with prison mug shots of most inmates. The classrooms were converted into a series of small brick cells.

We also met this man who was a survivor and spoke about his torture..

This visit was a confirmation of the inhumanity of man towards their fellow man - very disturbing. To lighten things up, we next headed off to the highest point in Phnom Phen. On the way we passed the Independence Column. You'll also see a night time shot of this column later.

Wat Phnom was built in 1373 and is the highest Buddhist edifice in Phnom Phen. The stupa here (big white tower) is the resting place of the King who moved the capital from Ankor Wat to Phnom Phen.

Outside the last pagoda there was a tree loaded with bats.

Then it was back to the boat and cool off time. One of the oddities in this city is the large number of Lexus SUV's. It's called, either super rich or nasty poor.

Before dinner we were treated to a Cambodian dance performance by young members of a school. What they can do with their hands and feet is truly amazing. At the end they encouraged audience participation. You may recognize one of the participants.

After dinner the day finished with a Tuk Tuk ride through the harrowing streets of Phnom Penh. It was,in equal parts, crazy and wonderful. Dawn was ready to puke.