Phnom Penh was our last stop in Cambodia, it's the country's current capital. The hub of Khmer Empire and french colonists, located on the junction of Tonle Sap and Mekong river.
There weren't too many typical historic landmarks there comparing to other large cities in south-east Asia. There's Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda, Wat Phnom Temple. Nothing too interesting after Bangkok, Ayutthaya and Angkor Wat.
However, Phnom Penh offers much more than meets the eye and its most interesting sights are not as obvious and definitely not for the weak-minded. I'll get back to that later. Khmer nation was touched by dreadful events that happened just about 40 years ago and I got an impression that recent history fades comparing to the common interest that Angkor receives.
Now I will take you on a tour of its vibrant streets. I must admit that that day I was having my energy crisis and started to feel sick, so I didn't pay too much attention to my surroundings. I only found my inner strength to photograph street life and people.
We caught a tuk-tuk to the outskirts of Phnom Penh. By Boeng Choeung Aek there's a site that at first glance looks like a tranquil cambodian countryside, but in fact, it's actually a mass grave of victims of the Khmer Rouge regime. Between 1975 and 1979 this peaceful orchard turned into a slaughterhouse where over one milion citizens were executed - for being noted as the enemies of the regime, being family with the enemies of the regime, or simply not fitting to the regime's sickening ideology. The site is now known as The Killing Fields.
Each visitor was handed an audioguide, what allowed us to explore the site in our own pace with an audio commentary. The fields by any didn't give many away traces of their horrific past. Nature prevailed. Only in a few memorials were displayed, for example by nailing colourful bracelets to a tree respect was given to the children that were beaten against that tree. Listening to the stories told by survivers really worked on my imagination, it was a touching experience.
Another mark left by the Khmer Rouge regime is Tuol Sleng, a museum of genocide located in the city centre. This experience was far more pictorial and vivid than the Killing Fields. The museum was a once a secondary school that was transformed into a security prison 21 where numerous political prisoners were kept, beaten and tortured to death. The number of people that were imprisoned in it is estimated to around 20,000. It was merely one of about 150 facilities founded for torture and execution.
The site was preserved in its original state. Prison cells, torture equipment... It was all exposed. Once again we took audioguides to learn more about this awful place.
Before going to Cambodia I didn't have the slightest idea about the horrors that Khmer people went through, and it was only 40 years ago... Cambodia is known mostly for Angkor Wat, and as amazing as these ancient temples are, I honestly believe that learning about its recent history gave me a more complete view and helped me to understand this nation's complexity. Travel's worth lies in understanding the places you visit, no matter how brutal and uneasy it sometimes is.
Back in the streets. We didn't see much later on, we were deep in thoughtsand overwhelmed after visiting sights and not really enthusiastic about seeking entertainment in Phnom Penh.
Wat Phrom is the main temple located in the city centre. To be fair it was pleasent, but nothing special comparing to other temples we had seen. Phnom Penh is a relatively young capital, so it's no wonder it hasn't produced any marvels.
A walk by Mekong river and feasting on a night market was how we spent the evening. That was pretty cool, after purchasing food everybody was invited to sit on special carpets on the pavement and enjoy their meal.
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