Another action packed 2 weeks have passed, squeezing in what we understand to be the key spots in Cambodia. And what a country. Beautiful sights, beautiful people (I can see why Angelina bagged a few littleness from her trips), but another that's not without a rather brutal recent history that certainly wasn't covered in our history lessons. We've also managed to pull ashore two middle eastern goats for a week.
But first for a brief dip into Cambodia's history, an incredibly sad one that saw the brutal mass killings of a third of the country's 8 million strong population. I will spare you some of the particularly gory details, out of respect.
From 1975-1979, the then [extremist] communist government known most commonly as the Khmer Rouge, attempted to sanitise the country of all capitalism. This began with tearing down banks, shops, and to be honest, most buildings, leading to the city's citizens fleeing for the rural areas.
Any person that was then caught by the Khmer Rouge and was believed to be 'inpure', or put more simply, bright enough to question the regime, would either be tortured in quickly converted prisons (from schools such as the above), or blindfolded and led to their ferocious execution. This began with academics, doctors and the like, but spread to pretty much anyone that wasn't young and 'untainted' by the existing ways of the world.
Any person that was then caught by the Khmer Rouge and was believed to be 'inpure', or put more simply, bright enough to question the regime, would either be tortured in quickly converted prisons (from schools such as the above), or blindfolded and led to their ferocious execution. This began with academics, doctors and the like, but spread to pretty much anyone that wasn't young and 'untainted' by the existing ways of the world.
The bodgedly built cells in the school classrooms to detain prisoners until they were tortured, and/or taken to what are now referred to as The Killing Fields.
As mentioned, I needn't go into the harrowing detail, but essentially, some 3 million people were taken to various sites, like the above, to be blindfolded, and killed, through very inhumane and harrowing means.
After Pol Pot and his regime were overthrown in 1979, with significant assistance from neighbours Vietnam, these various sites were dug up to commemorate those that were murdered, and importantly for the remaining buddhist family members, to send their loved ones off properly.
These two particular sites that we visited, known as Cheung-Ek (the Killing Fields), and S-21 (the school-prison), as with many other sites like these across this beautiful country, now serve as museums to inform the many millions of tourists that, like us, were previously unaware of the full extent of horror that took place here.
It is vitally important for us to understand significant history like this in the world, and as difficult as this day in particular was, we now hold a powerful sense of sympathy for this nation, and for the many other nations that have power imposed on their countries at the expense of innocent civilians.
Dan & Chrissy arrived on our 3rd day in sweltering Pnomh Penh, after the usual Russell misfortune of a hefty load of flight delays. But, lost time was certainly made up for, with well over a years worth of catching up to do, all over dollar pints, and 'friendly ladies'. Okay no, the second part's not strictly true, but we did accidentally find ourselves drinking in a brothel by bar number 3.
But Pnomh Penh was merely a gateway for us all to pelt off south to the highly revered island of Koh Rong, albeit a little hungover, but high on the prospects of what lay ahead.
And what an island it is. Granted its tourism, like much of Cambodia, is growing at a rapid rate, but the main beach is still relatively free of litter, and the water as clear as a postcard.
Now, unfortunately Dan and Chrissy got tidal waved by food poisoning on their second night of the trip, which near paralysed them, in particular Dan, for some days to follow. NOT ideal. But in their strong spirits, they managed to use the days to recover, and we still managed to see one another in the evenings, prepped with medicine and basic grub.
Alice and I headed to Long Beach (inglewoooodd) one day, a 1.5hr hike up through the jungle to a beautiful untouched beach on the other side of the island.
Wasn't a great deal cooler than 41 degree Pnomh Penh...
On day 4 or 5, the goats managed to pull themselves put of the foetal position and out on to a boat trip, taking in some pretty decent snorkelling, fishing (unsuccessful - shock), and a BBQ on the beach at sunset.
Oh, and I got rather tanked up with the only other guy on the boat that was drinking, sweeping everyone's free whisky and coke with aplomb.
Despite the unfortunate turn of stomachs with the goats, we had a blinder of a week, taking in the best of the island, largely eating and drinking well, and relaxing in a Thomas Cook advert.
After a regrettable farewell from all, Alice and I carted off to Kampot, a sticky 4 hour bus journey back on the mainland.
So, Arcadia is a hostel that was recommended to us by a few people across Vietnam, but were only really told that, for many, it was their favourite hostel, and that it was situated on a river in the lovely gren countryside around Kampot. What we found out when we arrived, was that it is JAM packed with savagely amazing activites, from a rope swing to 'The Blob' 😁
If you ever travel to Cambodia, this hostel is an absolute must. Another world of fun, filled with good people (all acquired through word of mouth, as it's not on the major hostel websites), good food, and stunning surroundings.
Final stop, after a beastly 20 hour bus up to the far North, was Siem Reap - the home of Angkor Wat, and some of the many other magnificent temples. You've had your history lesson for the day, so here are some of our favourite snaps:
Sunrise at Angkor Wat.
It's not all picture perfect, even by 8am we were sweatttiiinnng out!
Next up was Angkor Thom (Bayon), to us the most impressive of all of the temples we saw. How this thing was constructed we do not know, but it is collosally impressive, and covered in smiling faces.
And last but not least, a temple in which some of the filming for Tomb Raider took place. The whole place is made particularly magical because of the growth of trees in, amongst and throughout the ruins.
And here we part once more for now. Next up, the Philippines!
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