Angkor Wat (Siem Reap)

There are certain places in the world that are must sees. And the temples of Ankgor Wat are definitely to be included on this list.

The first thing that I was unaware of was the actual size of the area that the temples are found. visiting the temples is like visiting a national park with the temples scattered through the park. Some of the temples can be found as far as 50 km away.

But do not fret as there are numerous temples within 2-3 km of each other and are by far the main attractions. The reason the Angkor Wat temple is so popular is due to its sheer size. It is the largest of all the temples and is surrounded by a large moat.

When you walk around the temples it is hard not to wonder how they placed such large stones in place.

Another nice thing about walking around the temples was the trees that could be found. Because it is a protected place the Cambodians have not stripped the trees around the temples as they have throughout the rest of their country.

Just some motifs found on the walls of one of the temples

As with most temples around the world the geometry of the temples is astounding. This one temple had four corridors each facing directly north; south; east and west.

Once again symmetry is all important and the alignment using primitive methods is amazing to see.

Even though restoration is in process certain temples are starting to be overrun by nature. The next few pictures are of the temple that was made famous in the Lara Croft movie.

The size of the root of this tree is beautiful to see, but the weight alone is crushing the temple and needs to be supported.

As stated in the beginning the Temples of Angor Wat are not to be missed and rival the likes of Machu Picchu. 

And the best part of it all is I have seen both!

The Killing Fields

Even though some prisoners died during there interrogations at the S21 prison discussed in the previous blog. The majority were shipped to what is now know as the killing fields.

A marker for one of the numerous mass graves that was discovered on the site.

  

The prisoners were killed the day they arrived or at least no later than the following day.

More of the mass graves scattered around the site. The method of execution was quite barbaric since the  Khmer Rouge did not want to waste precious bullets. They would have the victim kneel in front of the hole and then use shovels, bamboo sticks, hoes, machettes to kill the prisoner. 

Reminders still to this day of the atrocities that occurred here.

This is by far the most disturbing thing I have seen in my travels. This tree sits next to a mass grave where they would take children and babies and smash there heads against the tree to kill them. The tree is now full of prayer bracelets that people have bought in remembrance and respect to the children.

Just some of the bones of the many deceased on display as a reminder 

Even though we have not had a genocide of late. It seems man has not learnt its lesson in regards to killing it's own. As I sit here in South East Asia I watch the news regarding Russia and Ukraine and the Israel and Hamas conflicts. 

It is hard to believe that we are supposed to be the intelligent life form.

Mans inhumanity to man

Since I have to spend two weeks in Phnom Penh waiting for various visas I thought I would hit some of the various sites.  And I will have to admit that what I saw below definitely stirred uncomfortable feelings in me. I cannot comprehend how it is possible for a human being to do anything like this.

This former school was turned into security office 21 during the Khmer Rouge regime. It was designed for detention, interrogation, inhuman torture, and killing after confession from the detainees.

The horrific leader Pol Pot

The former class rooms were turned into torture chambers. 

rule # 6 struck me as most bizarre

One of the many torture chambers.

A few of the last 14 victims. what made the regime even more bizarre is that they documented everything. Photos and complete records of height, weight etc of the victims.

Just some of the devices used for torture.

More innocent victims. Victims consisted of women, men and children. Non were sparred and it is estimated 20,000 came through these gates. 

Once a "forced" confession was obtained they would be sent of to the killing fields for execution. 

A typical cell holding a prisoner prior to torture.

These were the shackles used

Photo showing the shackles being used on a prisoner.

The bodies of the last 14 victims discovered are buried on site in respect. 

It is sad to say that this was not the only genocide in history, but lets hope it is the last.

Cambodia (Country #27)

National Highway 13/7

As usual I have no clue what to expect when entering a new country for the first time. But I definitely did not expect the horrid road conditions I encountered when I entered Cambodia. If you remember from my blog on entering Laos the road was off road, but that was to be expected because it was a short cut (thats a laugh) through the jungle  to Luang Prabang. 

The road you are seeing in these pictures is Cambodia's main National Highway! The border crossing I entered is a very high traffic border and the only route south from Laos. There were all kinds of tourists waiting for buses and vans to pick them up and take them to either Phnom Phen or Siem Reap.

This went on in the various conditions for 400 plus km. Ironically I met a Polish couple at the border who want to travel by motorcycle in the future. He was stumped though why I would need off road tires.  I can guarantee that he found the answer to his question within the first kilometre of his bus ride. Street tires in developing countries NOT A CHANCE.

The second biggest surprise for Cambodia was the complete lack of beautiful scenery. It seems Cambodians have completely deforested their country. Coming from Laos which is probably one of the prettiest countries I have visited. This lack of natural beauty really bothered me knowing that they have destroyed their country.

A truck loaded with very small logs. I do not believe there are any large trees left in the country.

The other sad fact is that they have zero replanting going on. The land is just left bare or rice fields are planted.

I did not understand until I entered the city why they would need so much wood. It seems though that they still cook with wood as there main fuel source. They actually take all the wood and turn it into charcoal then sell it. Every night the streets are loaded with vendors cooking with charred wood as fuel.

After the attrocious road to Phnom Phen Fred was in dire need of some  TLC. 

So for $2 he was treated to a hand wash. 

 Even though they have their own currency the Riel. 99% of the currency used is US dollars. All prices are in US dollars and the ATMs give out US dollars. The only challenge is sometimes you will receive small change back in Riel currency. This leaves you carrying around two forms of bank notes. $1 US = 4000