Phnom Penh

I reached PP (the capital of Cambodia) by bus from Saigon. Only after I crossed the border did I realise that I had a single entry visa for Vietnam... so I now had to by another visa to re enter after I had finished in Cambodia. I had used a six month visa in 3 days annoying but funny now looking back at it. The Cambodian visa cost me me $25 and was a pretty simple affair.

The streets of PP where packed with scooters and tuk tuks like everywhere in SE Asia it just something ive become accustomed to by now....

Daytime:
The two days I had was spent visiting the sombre and eary sights left behind by the Khmer Rouge ragime in the late seventies ruled by communist leader Pol Pot. Basically the guy was a nut job and believed that all interlectuals, teachers, doctors etc were not needed and he sent everybody out to work the land. Anybody he didnt like he killed or tortured until the vietnamiese invaded and ended the ragime.

I visited the Toul Sleng Genocide Museum a former school which was turned into prison where men, women and children were detained and often tortured before being killed at many of the "killing fields" throughout Cambodia. The prison hasn't been changed since it was discovered so as you can imagine its a pretty terrible place and very hard hitting. I also went to Choeung Ek (one of the kilking fields which has been made into a memorial), again a gruesome place where bones and teeth are pushed to surface when it rains due to the amount of people buried in mass graves. Obviously I didnt take loads of pictures as it wasnt really appropriate but the place really made you think about life.

It wasnt all doom and gloom as I also visited the royal palace which is home to some impressive buildings and Sisowath Quayside which was pretty cool with locals flying kites and feedoing pidgeons. Obviously enjoyed this few from a nearby bar! Champagne for everyone!!!!

Evening:

I only really went out the one night and it was pretty good. After the hostel happy hour I ended in one PP's cool little bars a few shot of tequlia later and the rest is history. Great night and the music was pretty decent too!

Pics FYI