Cambodia

Our first stop in Cambodia was Phnom Penh, the capital city. It was late in the day so we took a brief walk to Wat Phnom, on of the city's famous temples.

The next day we visited the Russian market in the morning, which literally sold anything and everything! So we enjoyed a few hours, spending our Riel. After lunch we had a tour trip to the S-21 prison and the killing fields.

The S-21 prison, previously a school, was where Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge used to imprison, torture and kill thousands of Cambodians during the 1970s. It was a shocking yet somehow fascinating experience, with many of the buildings still the same as they were at the time, small classrooms converted into tiny cells and torture rooms.

The killing fields were 30 minutes outside the city, and once again this was a shocking sight. Many of the victims' skulls are displayed, and the mass graves are used as a tourist attraction rather than a place of peace. Clothes, bones and even teeth are still coming through the ground from the bodies below.

The Khmer Rouge was a government organisation headed by Pol Pot to rule the country in pretty much, a prehistoric fashion, by eradicating all educated people and religions, and anyone related to or associated with such people.

That evening we went for a group meal at a charitable restaurant, where extremely cute Cambodian children performed traditional dances. This helped to lighten everyone up from the sombre day we'd had!

The following day we took a quick flight over to Siem Reap. The weather was beautiful so we spent the rest of the afternoon sunbathing by the hotel pool.

The next morning was an extremely early one, meeting at 4.40am! This was to see the sunrise over the temples of Angkor Wat. We spent the rest of the morning looking round Angkor Wat on a guided tour, it was very impressive. We also visited Angkor Thom temple with its many carved faces.

That afternoon Danny went to visit some more temples, one being where Tomb Raider was filmed (famous Angelina Jolie film). Danny also saw the sunset over a one thousand year old temple.

That evening we went out for drinks with some of our group, and stayed out till a very early hour of the morning to watch the Champions League Final. After a day of rest and playing in the hotel pool, we then caught an early bus the following morning back to Bangkok. The journey was very long and bumpy.

Back in Bangkok we went out for a farewell tour meal and a few drinks. It was very sad to say goodbye to everyone, as we'd made some more great friends.

Next up was some island hopping! Coming soon....

Danny and Josie

xxx