My first solo trip!! I barely planned anything and just completely went for it and man was it a good trip!! I met some awesome people, saw so many beautiful things and learnt a lot about the people and history of Cambodia!

My first stop was Phnom Penh. This was humbling to say the least. Several experiences that were very powerful and I'm not likely to forget anytime soon. I arrived into Phnom Penh airport on Saturday arvo and the first thing that shocked me was the size, it's really small - like just bigger than Albury kind of small! But my visa was super quick and I was easily able to get set up with a SIM card and grab a cab. In Cambodia they use USD which was pretty sweet as I've never even seen American money in real life before!! They also drive on the wrong side which was bloody trippy when I jumped in a taxi at the airport haha it's just so backwards!! Saturday night was pretty chilled since it was dark when I got to the hostel so I just went for a stroll and bought water then had dinner at my hostel and went to grab some sleep.

Sunday was my first full day and by far the most intense in terms of learning, new experiences and emotional challenge. I went to the Killing Fields and also to the S-21 prison in the morning. I never knew anything about the Khmer Rouge or Pol Pot so the audio tour at the killing fields was pretty overwhelming as I learnt of the atrocities that took the lives of 3,000,000 locals in just a three year period! And at the hands of their leaders! I spent a lot of time processing what I was learning but I am honestly ashamed that such horrible acts happened not even 50 years ago. Seeing the fields where so many lost their lives, where the Khmer Rouge destroyed so many lives of educated people and their children, it was an upfront look into the distressing past of the Cambodian people. I think what got to me most was that so many of the victims hadn't any idea of where they were being transported to or that they would be beaten so horrible and and pushed into mass graves before they completely died. The S-21 prison was closer to town and I went there next. I didn't do the audio tour here but just seeing the memorials of the prisoners was so powerful. The more I learnt about the Khmer Rouge the more frustrated I became that they believed their country would have a better future by killing and imprisoning all the educated people and starting over with Communism.

Sunday afternoon I spent my time wandering the streets of Phnom Penh. I saw the Royal Palace and wandered alongside the water, watching as people in the streets played hacky-sack and laughed and carried on! The people are so friendly and relaxed, I really enjoyed the vibes! I wandered down to see the Australian Embassy which is always real cool and I saw their Congress buildings and Government area. In the evening I wandered through the markets set up along the waters edge and then headed back to near my hostel for dinner. A very short visit to Phnom Penh but it will stay with me for a long time.

Monday I caught a bus to Siem Reap. I was meant to be on the 10am bus but as I was early they put me on the 9:30 which ended up lucky as I met Angie and we did Angkor together! She is Filipino but living in Guam and was super lovely! We chatted heaps on the bus about Phnom Penh and she told me some of her travel stories which was awesome. When we got to Siem she planned to go see the sunset at the temple and buy a pass which would let her in for tomorrow too. So I went along with her which was great! We sat and watched the sunset from one of the temples closer to town. It was about 8pm when we got back to the town. For dinner I wandered from my hostel and ate near the markets.

Angie and I were met at 430am by our tuk tuk driver to go see the sunset at Angkor Wat and visit the other temples. It was pretty cold before the sun came up but it was pretty lovely sitting and watching as the day came! We stayed until probably 730am exploring at Angkor Wat - it's so big and just so old and beautiful! A lot has been fixed up but you can still see the character and just imagine the effort it all took!! Our driver took us to have breakfast and we both got fried rice with soft drink for a sugar fix! Next we went to some of the other temples - Bagan and Ta Prohm were my favourites. The Elephant face temple we didn't stop at but it was beautiful too! I liked Ta Prohm because of how natural it was. Our driver was great and he stopped and showed us the wall which surrounds Angkor and was telling us facts the whole time! Angie took heaps of photos for me since my phone went bust. We had such an awesome day together! About midday we left as Angie had a flight to catch and I was pretty done. I went back and napped then went strolling in the evening around the markets and had pizza for dinner which was wicked!

Wednesday was my last day and I just spent it in and around Siem city. I did a tuk tuk trip out to the War Museum and learnt a bit more about the broader crisis faced by Cambodia against the US and Vietnam, as well as more on the Khmer Rouge. I think what shocked me was the Pol Pot was given the reigns by the King. And then when the Vietnamese came to shut down Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge they committed more atrocities by sending 1,000,000 young Cambodian men to their deaths as they retrieved land mines on the Vietnam/Cambodian border. In Cambodia the people remember the King as a great man. I don't at all view him this way. I think it's horrible that because of him so many died. And the worst part is it is kept from the locals as they study Cambodian history from the time Pol Pot died, 1998 to now. Just 20 years of history is allowed to be taught in schools!!! Appalling. Wednesday evening I roamed the markets and loaded up on souvenirs and gifts. I saw an awesome band in Pub Street made up of disabled men who suffered in the war time. I bought their CD because their music was real funky and I reckon Manu will like it! For dinner I ate at a restaurant with a live show so I watched some Cambodian performers which was pretty awesome!! Wednesday night I swapped to a hotel with free airport drop off After breakfast at my hotel I packed up and got driven to the airport. The airport at Siem Reap was bigger but still not huge. It seemed a bit more legitimate though haha

Highlights: Angkor Wat, the Killing Fields and learning about Cambodian history, and having Angie to travel with!
Lowlights: the confrontation of it all
Recommend? Yes. Everyone should go. The Cambodians are still so vulnerable as they rebuild their country and improve outcomes for their people - every tourist dollar helps!