I was wide awake this morning at 5.30 am. Probably out of habit and jet lag. Took off for an early walk along the river. The city presents a different side at that time of the morning with plenty of homeless asleep along the pavements and rubbish everywhere. Shortly before sun rise, it’s all magically cleaned up for the day .... mostly.
Today we hit the tourist destinations, The National Museum was first on the list (an erratic display of artefacts surrounding great gardens), then The Royal Palace followed by the Sleng Genocide Museum (S – 21). Ok quick history lesson, prior to 1975, Toul Sleng was a high school. The Khmer Rouge took this facility and turned it into a prison, interrogation facility and ‘processed’ over 17,000 people. It’s a very surreal place to visit – and many items from this time are intact, on display and in your face including photos of hundreds of people held here by the regime and the revolting cells that they held people in. The Khmer Rouge was in power for 3 years, 8 months and 20 days. During this time, they killed around 1.5 million Cambodians – which just blows my mind.
This afternoon, we hit the Central Markets – held in a very distinctive building that is a unique, art deco city landmark. This evening we’re taking a private boat up the river. It cost around USD $30 for the 3 of us – Simon negotiated 12 local COLD beers into this price – GO SIMON PUGH!!
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