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Hi everyone, how's it going??
I've crossed the border from Vietnam to Cambodia, and after 4 nights in the capital, Phnom Penh, I'm now in the beachside resort of Sihanoukville, where it's just been raining the whole time.
My last few days in Vietnam were spent in Ho Chi Minh City. I did a walking tour of the city, which was cool. My favourite part was visiting the War Remnants Museum, which housed articles from the Vietnam war. Outside there had helicopters, planes and tanks that the Americans used. It's definitely worth a visit if you're ever in HCMC, although there is quite a bit of propaganda, which is always the case when there is something to do with the war. My second favourite part was getting ice cream from Fanny's. The ice cream is great if a little expensive, but it's my one little treat.
I left Vietnam on Friday, and got a bus that would take me to Cambodia. Getting across the border was hassle free, it just involved getting of the bus, having my passport stamped, then getting on the bus and driving across the border, getting off the bus to get my visa, and then getting back on the bus and continuing our journey. I expected to not see much once I crossed into Cambodia, maybe a small border town or something, but what there actually was, was something I would never have expected. As soon as we crossed into Cambodia, it was like I was transported to a mini Las Vegas, maybe it's what Atlantic City is like (I've never been there so don't know). There were loads of casinos, quite big ones actually, but not Vegas scales. They didn't look very busy, but I wouldn't have minded stopping for 10 mins to play some roulette or blackjack.
I usually have a nervous feeling about crossing into a new country, especially after spending so long in a country. I had the feeling when I crossed into Laos from Thailand, and now when leaving Vietnam to Cambodia. I think it's because I've got so used to the country then I'm not sure what to expect in the new place. I'm also really excited about going to new places but that niggling nervous feeling is always present.
I arrived in Phnom Penh, and was, as usual, surrounded by loads of people offering me tuk-tuks and hotels. I made the mistake of telling one guy, who I thought worked at the bus station, that I had no hotel booked so he began trying to get me to stay at this hotel he obviously gets commission from. He literally wouldn't leave me alone, and even when I asked him for 5 minutes to have a read and a think, I sat down and he sat right next to me and was so close it was quite uncomfortable. I then spotted a seat next to 2 people from my bus, and the seat on the other side was occupied, so I quickly moved to there. As soon as I got up, this other guy got up and followed me, and as he couldn't sit, he decided to stand right in front of me, so annoying!! After a few minutes of him not really giving me time to read anything or decide, me and the other travellers decided to check the hotel out, if anything just so he would leave me alone.
I got to the hotel and it was too expensive so began walking up the road when the tuk-tuk driver came after me. I realised he wasn't going to leave me alone, so I paid him $1 and quickly ducked into the next guesthouse which turned out to be really nice. I spent the afternoon walking round the city, and after hearing about how poor Cambodia is supposed to be, and the terrible things that have happened there, I was surprised to see a quite modern and really beautiful city. The riverside area is especially beautiful, where everyone hangs out and kids and grown ups play football. The buildings are spectacular, and look like temples. The one difference I have noticed here is that begging is a lot more common here. Usually people come up to sell you stuff, but here people beg a lot more, and also when trying to sell you stuff they say people are trying to take their homes, but it's hard to believe what's true and what isn't. Also every 5 metres, you have a guy asking you if you want a tuk-tuk, which gets a bit boring after a while, especially as they see you say no to someone else, but think somehow you'll miraculously want one 5 seconds later!!
The next day I went to the Killing Fields and the S21 prison, which were both used by the government in the late 70's to hold and kill many Cambodians. Before I went I didn't really know what had happened in Cambodia, but from going I learnt a lot more, and it is really horrific to see what happened. For those who don't know, there was a civil war in Cambodia and the Khmer Rouge were victorious. They decided they wanted to make Cambodia into a place where people weren't educated and would do what ever the Khmer Rouge wanted, so they first began imprisoning and killing their enemies, and then moving on to intellectuals, basically anyone with any sorts of skill or anyone who could speak english. No one was spared in families, they killed many children, in most cases to stop them taking revenge for their parents murder in later years.
The Killing Fields is an orchard, where the prisoners were transported and killed, by either electrocution, tools or just by being bludgeoned to death. It was all done in secret and it went on for around 3 years. The victims were then buried in mass graves around the fields. It's a strange to place to visit, it's very somber, and makes you wonder how people can be so evil to do that to their own country. There is a large stupar in the middle that was erected afterwards that is used to remember the dead. It holds skulls and bones of the victims who's bodies have been excavated. The one bit that ruined it for me were the kids who would start talking to you through a fence, and then wanting money afterwards. They spoke excellent english, and looked well fed and wore newish clothes so it's sad to see people exploiting places such as this for their own gain. Also outside a kid was begging, while wearing a new England football top. I told him he had better clothes than me and when we waved back to his friend who was waving at us, he hit him and seemed to say to him, what are you doing!
I visited S21 afterwards, which was where victims were imprisoned and tortured, before going to the Killing Fields. S21 used to be a school but was converted to a prison. Most of the rooms have been left as they were, so you see the beds and some of the weapons used for torture. Again, it's very somber, and a lump in your throat kind of place, especially when you see the photos of many of the victims and some of the photos of what they were like after being tortured. Reading some stories from people who were affected by what was going on also made me realise how bad the situation was, many joined the Khmer Rouge just to save their own and their families lives. What also made it worse for me, was that it was so recent, only years before I was born, and also that someone would do this to their own people.
Again there were beggars outside, one guy had a crutch and had lost half of one of his arms. I was waiting outside when I saw him go to a shop across the road, which I now assume he owns, and then leave the crutch and walk off without any problems down the road!! It was ridiculous. It's things like that that make you not trust any of the beggars.
The next day I went to the shopping mall, which again was surprisingly good. It's very modern for what I initially thought it would be. I had a look around, they have some good shops and they have 3D tv's here too!!
I really liked Phnom Penh. Most people spend a day seeing the sights and then leaving but I'm glad I spent longer. I'm now in Sihanoukville, which is the party beach town of Cambodia. Initially I really didn't like it. It was raining, people follow you up the beach trying to sell you stuff. You're then mobbed when you're eating by bracelet sellers and people wanting to manicure your nails, and just generally no one leaves you alone! It's got better, although it has just been raining all the time. I have some some great thunder storms though!!
All in all, I'm liking Cambodia. It's still got a long way to go to match Vietnam, and the people are always trying to sell you something, but I admire their work rate, and they are very strong willed people, considering the state of the country, well the parts I've seen of it so far, after the things they have been through.
For all you animal lovers and eco warriors, I haven't killed any animals this week, I'll try and go 2 weeks without doing it!
I'm off to Kampot tomorrow, where there's a great national park, and then on to Siem Reap to see the much heralded Ankgor Wat temples, and also to see the child my mum sponsors, as they've said it should be ok to visit him, which I'm really looking forward to.
As I'm writing this it's just began to rain, and it's thunder and lightning too. I'm worried the power is about to go off any second so I'll finish this post here.
Until next time, take care.
- comments
Villa7 Sounds like its goin sick mann take care and look after urself bro!!
Messi10 sounds like an emotional place to go. i suppose ankgor will be a contrast. i heard its kinda peaceful. derby are smashing it still dont come back till we are established in the "EPL". and i rate the new KOL album its definitely no becasue of the times or only by the night but the end and the face are awesome tracks as well as pick up truck. try and get some lighthouse family on your travels would make for good soundtrack i think. until next blog and until i have internet at uni good bye and keep yourself safe. luv dog dizzle
Messi10 sounds like an emotional place to go. i suppose ankgor will be a contrast. i heard its kinda peaceful. derby are smashing it still dont come back till we are established in the "EPL". and i rate the new KOL album its definitely no becasue of the times or only by the night but the end and the face are awesome tracks as well as pick up truckand get some lighthouse family on your travels would make for good soundtrack i think. until next blog and until i have internet at uni good bye and keep yourself safe. luv dog dizzle.