We arrived at Capitol Travel Agency and a lot of Tuk Tuks offered their services to the river area to us as usual. Robert and I decided just to stay at the Capitol Guesthouse, but where is it? It was suppose to be close by, but the street was buzzing and the side walks were full with hawkers. A Tuk Tuk driver actually showed us the way to the Capitol 3 Guesthouse and we stayed there. He also offered to drive us to the "Killing Fields" the next day for US$ 25, we declined friendly. After we had a great noodle dinner, just from a hawker outside our Guesthouse we enjoyed an evening with American TV.
The next morning we went across the street to have breakfast. After breakfast we were surrounded by Tuk Tuk drivers again to offer their services. As we investigated on our slow Internet the night before, we knew by now that it should cost between US$ 9-11. So we agreed on US$ 12 to drives us pretty much the whole day.
Here we dive into the crazy world of driving in Phnom Penh, without a horn you won't make it far! However, our Tuk Tuk's horn sounded more like an old cow on the last breath. The drive to the "Killing Fields" was long but entertaining with the passing traffic as well as the daily life we witnessed left and right.
When we arrived at the "Choeung ek genocidal center" = " Killing Fields" we paid US$ 5 each to enter and received a device to do an audio tour.
To be honest there was not too much to be seen anymore. We mostly followed signs and listened to the audio.
The area used to be the Chinese cemetery and during the "Khmer Rough" regime (75-79) thousands of Cambodians where brutally killed by Cambodians. As bullets were too expensive they hit humans until death or cut their throat. Babies were hit against a tree until death!
Some of the slogans of Pol Pot (regime leader):
"Better an innocent person killed than to spare a guilty person."
"To remove grass, you have to remove it from the roots." (reason for so many children and baby killings, they were also worried about revenge)
The audio tour was very educational as well as shocking. In the center tower are many sculls and bones that were found in the mass graves.
We returned to our Tuk Tuk driver who drove us back to the city and to the S21 prison during the "Khmer Rough" time, now a museum.
People were kept here under suspicion that they are against the "Khmer Rough" regime. They were tortured to find out of others who are against the communist movement. Or just commit a crime they've never done to be spared the cruel torture.
From all prisoners were photos taken and their details. Most of them were taken to the "Killing Fields". Almost all of them!
We read a lot and we started to understand what Cambodians have gone through not too long ago.
After the prison we needed to cheer up a little, so our Tuk Tuk driver took us to the river where we paid him and we were ready for a stroll.
The river area is very touristy so you will find the child vendors, beggars and restaurant staff tries to lure you inside. It took only a minute to get offered "happy shakes" and similar.
We found two street vendors for our afternoon break. We got a Khmer iced coffee with sweet condense milk and a sweet corn puree with cocos on top. So yummy!
As the river front was not that exciting we started to make our way back to our guesthouse, not to mention that every 5 minutes a Tuk Tuk driver offered their service to us.
On the way back we passed a busy market and enjoyed to mingle with the locals! Back on the street with all the motorized vehicles, I am not sure if it safer to walk or to drive!?! There are no traffic signs for pedestrians, so you have to walk with the traffic to protect you from the crossing traffic!
The conclusion of our visit of this hectic, dirty and smelly place: somehow it is charming, especially the locals around our guesthouse and you need to visit the city to start to understand the history of this country.
Here are a few more pictures from Phnom Penh
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