I am writing again so soon as tonight i have been struck down with my first asia borne stomach bug it was only a matter of time really, although im pleased that it's not too bad, just means i have only had dry crackers today.

So with two of us down with stomach bugs, and one girl in hospital with Thyphoid (possibly from when she was in India) i have now decided to boycott street-side food. Unfortunately, not many of the rest of the group (aside from the sick) are quite in agreement. I am sure they will change their mind after rich tea - tasting cashew nuts and green, mouthwash fanta.

Today i was too sick to go to the Royal Palace and the NAtional Museum in Phnom Penh, which was gutting. I had also planned to go to the Mekong River for pre-breakfast Tai Chi, but also abandoned.

I did, however, make it to Tol Sleung Prison and the killing fields this afternoon. Quite a harrowing experience that i don't think it's entirely possible to prepare for. Some of us took a guide, which was definitely worth it as you got a lot more information and background than you get otherwise. Although you may not think this a good thing during the tour.

I didn't take any pictures today, as i didn't think it was appropriate. I don't think you can really understand the what happened in the genocide in Cambodia 1975-1979 without visiting these places. I had already read the histiry, but today i saw photos of the prisoners and guards, heard about life in the prison and methods of the regime, and saw clothes and human bones literally scattering the floor i walked on around the killing fields (these are in addition to those exhumed and stored, and the vast number of graves that will not be disturbed).

A few things bother me; that there were hundreds more prisons and killing fields just like these across the country built, but are not open to the public; that Pol Pot and his colleagues were not tried for their crimes, only a few are on trial now, and some are actually ministers in the current government; and that the UK government ignored the crimes being committed in this country, and actually supported Pol Pot's regime as a political tactic in their conflict with vietnam. It amazes me that the people in Cambodia can treat us tourists as well as they are doing. And i think the way in which the people have re-built their country from scratch, and can remain positive and optimistic is testament to their extraordinary strength and their faith in their religion.

Sad blog...

Caz x