Up bright and early this morning to catch a lift with the Sussex school-mobile :-) as we planned to visit the Killing Fields, Central Market and Royal Palace today.
Phil then practised his Khmer language and bargaining skills to negotiate a good price for the day with a tuk tuk driver close by. He did well and we set off toward the Killing Fields (Cheoung Ek) with Sun (the driver). Managed to beat most of the hordes out there and took our time walking around the site. The loss of life, brutality, proximity to the city and sheer scale of genocide blew us away once again. Good to be able to honour those who lost their lives during Khmer Rouge rule and be educated some more.
After walking through the mass grave sites we viewed the short film and looked through the on site museum before heading back to where Sun was waiting.
The day had heated up and it was a long way to the palace - saw many other parts of PP and inhaled our fair share of dust, exhaust fumes and scents along the way! We had a wee detour en route as Sun was confused about our destination and almost dropped us at the biggest hotel we have seen in our lives! The map came out again and we arrived safely at the palace.
After walking the complete perimeter - past the PP Museum and with a beverage pause at Newtown Pizza - we arrived at the gate only to learn it was closed until 2pm... and it was now only 11 or so! Mutual decision to flag it then we walked to Central Market on our hunt for Bryn's 11th birthday present - success! Then to the plaza for lunch on the top floor...we were grimy, hot and in sore need of an A/C break. The view was a bonus! Also fun to watch kids tearing around the rollerblade rink that is within the top floor - very cool.
We got a tuk tuk back toward home in time for dinner and play time with the Sussex whanau. Much planning and scheming that evening by Phil, Becky, Bray & Roni in preparation for Bryn's elaborate Indiana Jones Themed party for the following night. Eventually we made it to sleep.
