I had my last two days all planned out. Saturday I was going to hit S-21 the Genocide Museum, the Russian Markets and the Killing Fields, while on Sunday I would pack the majority of my stuff and go back to the Central Markets before meeting Xanthe for dinner and ice cream by the river.
29/1/2011
After a huge sleep in to 8am (whoop whoop) I got myself ready and headed out on my trusty moto to Tuol Sleng/ S-21 the Genocide Museum. The museum is the ex prison, ex high school used by the Khmer Rouge used to torture and interrogate victims. The majority of the place has been left as it was found by the Vietnamese soldiers that liberated Phnom Penh in 1979. Many of the images are truly horrific and it is completely beyond comprehension how someone (or a group of someones) could commit such heinous crimes. The experience is quite harrowing but very necessary in attempting to understand such a significant part of Cambodia's history. In order to lighten the mood a little I went for lunch and some last minute shopping at the Russian Markets. For only $1.75 I had a huge plate of the most delicious noodles on the planet and a bottle of the tastiest drink, Green tea with pomegranite. The trip also saw me accumulate some more clothes and DVD's as well as earning me a trip back the next day to pick up a hand carved silver necklace I had ordered (the carving is my name in Khmer).
In the afternoon I headed out to the Killing Fields, about 15 minutes out of town. The Killing Fields are so named as they were the site of the killing and burial of the Khmer Rouge victims sent in form the city prisons (such as Tuol Sleng). On the site they have a huge memorial stupa filled with the bones and clothes of some of the victims found in the many mass graves, a small museum and marked areas of interest. It is very disturbing to see all of the skulls of victims and the number of graves that have been excavated. Overall it is quite difficult to believe that the site was once a place of atrocities with its peaceful atmosphere and beautful flowers.
My ended with me updating my journal in front of multiple episodes of Dexter back at the house.
30/1/2011
I spent the morning packing and internet blog updating as best I could before lunch. Over lunch Mummy was quite sad as it was my last day and she spoke of missing me. I also had to alter my plans with Xanthe as Mummy insisted that I have dinner at home. So in the afternoon I went out and picked up my necklace from the Russian Markets before heading to the Central Markets for one last look and to meet Xanthe at a cafe. In the cafe I tried an Italian Soda. While I have no idea what is in an Italian Soda I do know that it is one of the most delicious drinks I have ever had, YUM! Eventually the two of us went back to the house for dinner, Mummy had said I was more than welcome to bring a friend for dinner (at least I think that is what she said). Mummy made an incredible, and very Western pasta dish. The two of us talked with Piseth over dinner and then headed out to the Riverside with him later. He took us to a bar for cocktails and to meet some of his friends. His friends were quite nice but it was difficult to communicate as they knew very little English and the music was very loud. We all had a good time even if we never got our ice cream :-)
31/1/2011
In the morning I was fully packed and ready to go at 7.45. I had some photo's with the family, taken by a most obliging tuk tuk driver before heading off to the airport at 8 as Mummy insisted. It turns out I left far to early and had to wait nearly and hour before my check-in opened. Eventually I got through, $180 poorer due to my far too heavy suitcase!! Followed by more money divulging as I found an awesome bookshop and the best bacon and egg roll ever, before heading off on the first leg of my trip home. Bye bye Cambodia
N.B. During my stop over in Hong Kong I saw someone I knew against all odds. For 15 minutes I spent time with my friend Sarah L from Westlake! What are the chances?!
