eatsleeptravelrepeat

Journey

We organised this through the hostel over the road from us because our hostel was useless. We were picked up from our hostel on a mini bus which then took us to the bus office. From here, we got on to the bus where we were provided with a bottle of water. The bus was old and the air con was poor. We travelled with Phnom Penh travel who were not great but we're not horrifically bad- welcome to asian bus travel! The stops we made were at horrible cafes, more flies than food with toilets that would turn your stomach. Also, as the journey went on we were picking more and more people to the extent that there was a man sat in the aisle. Apparently, this is common occurrence across buses in Asia. 

Once we finally arrived we were running over an hour late. Our complimentary hostel tuk tuk was nowhere to be seen...So picture the scene; two girls alone with their MASSIVE backpacks and the taxi men swarm over trying to 'help' us. In the end, we managed to use one of the bus company employee's phones to call them and they sent someone. Apparently they were not actually offering the service because of Khymer New Year however because they never told us this, how were we supposed to know!?

Killing Fields

This is a must see whilst you are in Phnom Penh. However, be aware that the day is quite heavy and the topics discussed are heart breaking. 

The Killing Fields or Choeung Ek is the mass grave site as a result of the horrific genocide of many Cambodians by the hands of the Khymer Rouge. 

I would recommend getting a tuk tuk for the day so that you can go to the fields and other main attractions. It's a cheap way to get around and means that you don't have to worry about transport throughout the day. The road there is quite bumpy and dusty so take a scarf to cover your mouth...be that sort of tourist for the day. Believe me, I never thought I would be but that or coughing and spluttering-I know which one I would rather be. 

Do not pay for a guide for the day. It is a waste of money. You can get an audio description for $6 which will tell you all about the Killing Fields, the Kymer Rouge and more. I listened to a tour guide for one of the stops and they didn't even share half the information the guide did. Plus, you get to hear real life stories from people that experienced what went on in Cambodia at that time.

The tour itself is heavy. Although some of the structures have been torn down now. You can imagine what it was like. There are mass grave sites that have now been made in to huts. Visitors have left bracelets and money for those who were lost. I warn you, you will still see clothing, bones and teeth on the ground of the fields. 

The structure in the middle of the site is the final destination on the tour. The building is beautiful and it was built to give the victims somewhere to finally rest. Their bones have been polished and analysed and they are now displayed within the structure. The sheer amount of skulls is numbing. 

There is a mini museum here which has interesting exhibitions and also a film to watch about the fields.

Dress conservatively as a sign of respect. As an establishment, they ask you to do this although some people have a disregard for this. This is especially important if you wish to go in to the building at the end. 

Despite this being a heavy day, I can only recommend the visit. It is well worth $6. 

Genocide Museum

The Genocide Museum or as it was called, S21. Similarities can be taken from this to the concentration camps in Nazi Germany. Individuals would be arrested and taken here whilst they were tortured in to confessing to crimes they did not commit or acts against the Khymer around. Often if a close family member was accused it was very likely that the family would end up dead too. It became the stop before the Killing Fields.

Now, the site of terror has been made in to a museum. This is again $6 to get in to. Although interesting, I think improvements do need to be made in the museum especially the first section. One aspect that was shocking is when you saw the cells of the prisoners. 

I thought the museum itself was alright, imorovements are needed though. However, it opens your eyes to see how badly the Cambodian people suffered. 

If you do only have time for one of the attractions, do the Killing Fields hands down. I would recommend going earlier in the day to avoid the sun and take lots of water! I knew I sound like a nagging mother but you won't regret it!

-Is it awkward that we look like Michael Jackson...maybe. 

Love Imogen xoxo