I was really looking forward to visiting Cambodia, mostly as I have always wanted to see Angkor Wat but this wasn’t our destination for this trip (hopefully next time) as we were going to the capital, Phnom Penh. I would describe Phnom Penh as hectic and nowhere near as modern as Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur. The hotel we were staying in was very nice but not one I would recommend due to the location. I did have the best massages I have ever had though in the hotel spa (hot herbal compress) at an extremely low price.
It is impossible to go to Cambodia and not visit one of the infamous Killing Fields, a number of sites across Cambodia where over 1 million people were killed in a state-sponsored genocide during the years 1975-1979.
I visited the Choeung Ek Killing Field, believed to be the largest, approximately an hours drive from Phnom Penh. It is hard to believe that this quiet former orchard, surrounded by rice fields, was the location of such horrific acts. Once inside the gate I was given a headset and an audio tour guided me around the site. Every step of the way are horrific reminders of what occurred as the audio guide shares stories from survivors, guards and executioners as well as explanations about the 129 communal graves (43 have been left untouched). It is estimated that 20,000 people were killed at this one site.
In the middle of the area a large Buddhist stupa has been built as a genocide memorial. There are 5000 human skulls on display. I found this part extremely traumatic and shed a few tears as I wandered around. The museum contains extensive information about the events that occurred and displays items of clothing and weapons used by the guards/executioners.
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| Cheung Ek Killing Field |
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| The 17-storey Buddhist Stupor memorial |
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| Skulls displayed in the memorial |
