It's only took about 2 hours to get to the Vietnam-Cambodia border and we passed through with ease, we didn't even have to bribe any one. After being stamped out of Vietnam we wondered through no mans land to the Cambodian office. Our bus guide filled out all the information on our forms and all we had to do was to have our finger prints and picture taken, even the locals had to go through this process but the border officer had to lift the camera up for us as were taller. We found it amusing. Luckily unlike American officers they laughed along with us. Four hours later and we arrived in Phnom Penh. With a new language to learn. The locals seemed confused when we said hello and thanks in Vietnamese. Being dropped off in the middle of the city didn't help but we found an amazing tuk tuk driver who was really nice and friendly, could speak really good English and also had a good sense of humor, we liked him so much we got him to take us to the shooting range, killing fields and S-21.
We loved the shooting range, we didn't hold the guns like in the movies but had to sit at a table, we presume this was to stop us from shooting holes in the ceiling. We were offered coconuts but thought we'd stick to the paper target, we managed to hit them with the AK-47 and M-16, the machine gun was a different matter we think half the bullets found it the rest peppered it with dirt.
Going to the shooting range first was a good idea as the killing fields and S-21 were a tough site to see but also eye opening. The killing fields were where thousands we're taken to be executed under Pol Pots genocidal regime. After the Cambodians fought back and removed the Khmer Rouge from power this place was found. It has now been turned into a memorial site. A stupa was built and the skulls and bones of victims were placed inside it. In memory of the people who lost there lives. We laid flowers and planted incense sticks as a mark or respect.
S-21 used to be a school but was turned into a prison in which people were arrested and taken to, to be interrogated, tortured and executed. The people taken here were academic, intellectual, with a profession, even people who wore glasses or had soft hands. Whole families were imprisoned here. It has now been turned into a museum.
Our tuk tuk driver said he takes people numerous times a week and hasn't been inside as its too upsetting.
Even with this the Cambodians are still smiling and happy and are some of the nicest people we've met and like to interact even if you don't get in there tuk tuk. They'll even practice different accents on you.
Out next day was more upbeat. We visited the national museum, we weren't allowed to take photos in here but the artefacts come from all over Cambodia which was much much larger than now. Some predate the year zero when records began.
We then went to the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda. We took a guide around the palace so we could learn about its history and purpose. Everything is very shinny but wouldn't mean much without an explanation. Maz was disappointed as the silver pagoda was so shinny because all the silver floor tiles were covered in carpet. We did get to touch a small piece of the silver tiles as our guide explained it was for good luck, we planted both feet and he planted his big toe claiming he was quite full of good luck.
Because it gets so hot the king would employ many ladies to fan him. He then fell in love with them and took them as concubines. Now with the invention of air conditioning the queen no longer need to worry about the extra women around. They also used to ride an elephant to get around, and ring a hand bell to call servants. With the invention the car and mobile phone these now surplus to requirements. The architecture was explained to us, once we've got more pictures online we will explain them in more detail.
We're amused that the Riel comes second to the dollar, but change comes in both.
After travelling for 11 weeks Ryan's hair is a bit over grown so decided to have an all over. The beard went first with a blade whilst looking slightly horrified expecting a Sweeney Todd outcome. That didn't happen fortunately and a hair cut followed, it's amazing what you can get for $5. Even if the hair stylist did used a scissor come clipper device. Maz has now had 4 massages from 4 different countries. This time by a blind person and learnt a new technique each time. She believes that after about 50 minutes they run out of ideas and just shake your limbs for 10 minutes. She still enjoys them
We're heading now to Siem Reap and the Temples of Angkor. Ryan's refusing to travel to them by bicycle and Maz's been practicing Lara Croft poses.
We aim to find a decent computer so you can see the sites behind our stories.