Phnom Penh and the killing fields

My next stop was a poignant one. The history of Cambodia is at times a sad one and at recent times a very cruel and harsh one. During my travels to the capital city I had to visit two places of historical and social importance: the killing fields me S21. During the 1970s the extremist dictator Pol Pot made it his aim to bring everyone to 'equality' by exterminating anyone with apparent wealth or intelligence. Over four years over 3 million innocent civilians were not only killed but tortures and executed. S21, a former primary school, was used a a prison where detainees were chained and tortured before being sent to the killing fields.

Both sites were hard to see but done and presented in such a way as to educate others as much as possible as to warn the future that this cannot happen again. I would recommend getting a guide at S21 for only an extra $2 as often they are people who were alive at the time and explain in full detail what it was like. But as I said, a very hard day.

As for accommodation and the city I stayed at the mad monkey which was so comfy, great food and great bar. The river side is nice of an evening too with lots of places to eat and drink. The traffic was crazy too, so a simple tuk tuk ride is actually pretty fun in itself! I really liked Phnom Penh as a capital city. Just like the people, full of life and character!