TUESDAY 9TH JANUARY 2007

Got bus to Phnom Penh & stayed at Number 9 guesthouse (yet again another of Jay's mint finds). Its right on the lake - its lovely (even if the bathrooms are a bit dodge). Took a walk to Tonle sap river which would have been a really nice promenade if it wasn't for all the heavy traffic alongside it. Gaz got a massage but oily hands dont appeal to me so i passed. Went to the arts and craft market which was basically just fortune tellers- were loads of monkeys around though!

WEDNESDAY 10TH JANUARY 2007

Went to the Tuol Sleng museum which was a former high school turned into a security Prison (S21) used for detention & torture by the Khymer Rouge. Was really horrific - it was clear the Cambdians went through absolute hell - you could still see the blood stains on the walls and ceilings.Also full of photos of all the victims whichwas pretty harrowing to say the least. Then went to the Killing Fields where over 17000 people were executed. Went inside a big white stupa filled with over 8000 skulls of the victims as well as their remaining pieces of clothing. There were 129 mass graves which we were told 43 have never been disinterred. There was also clothing lying along the ground. It obviously wasn't a pleasant place. One negative point i would make though is that it seemed a little contrived. It seemed to have turned into a money making scheme (which many of the victims families agree) - lots of tour guides and "here's what would have been here"signs. Still in remembrance of what it was it was surreal. After this we went to the Russian market which was absolutely massive - could have easily got lost in it. Shame all the stalls sold pretty much the same stuff tho!

THURSDAY 11TH JANUARY 2007

Went to the Royal Palace and the silver pagada. I think it was better than the grand palace in Bangkok but gaz strongly disaggreed reasoning Bangkok was better because the Cambodian palace looked older and the building were QUOTE "not as shiny!". The silver pagoda was a big let down though - the silver floor (which is how it got its name) was covered in rugs with only a small square visible which was all patched up with masking tape. Not really worth a visit.