We commenced our day cruising into the Cambodia’s capital city, Phnom Penh. Nearly three million people live in and around this bustling city. After our usual hearty breakfast we started the day by joining in the seemingly chaotic traffic as a passenger on a modified bicycle called a cyclo. Being immersed in the morning traffic chaos of this bustling tropical city was an experience to remember.
After an exhilarating 20-minute ride, we arrived outside the Royal Palace. Our local Cambodian guides, Rithy and Vuthy, led us around around the magnificent structures, which included walking inside the Silver Pagoda and viewing the sacred icon – the Emerald Buddha.
After wandering around the palace grounds and the fascinating buildings and structures, we then boarded an air-conditioned bus (phew!) for a trip across town to the open air National Museum, where we were learned about the artifacts from local museum guides. After an hour or so we again boarded our bus and travelled across town to a lovely local restaurant, called the Topaz, and enjoyed a wonderful five-course meal.
Our activities after lunch were quite somber and reflective as we learned about the atrocities of the Khmer Rouge and Pol Pot regime when millions of Cambodians were murdered during a four-year period in the 1970s. We commenced with a visit to the infamous S-21 genocide museum (Toul Sleng) where our local guide Rithy gave us his personal experience of living through this difficult period. Rithy continued to relate his personal story as we continued onto the killing fields at Choeung Ek.
While what we saw and learned about the Cambodian genocide filled us with a deep sadness, it is gratifying to witness how Cambodia has bounced back and its greatest resource, the Khmer people, are happy, friendly and truly remarkable in numerous ways.
The evening was all fun as we cruised up and down the Tonle Sap River alongside the glittering lights of Phnom Penh while enjoying a delightful BBQ dinner. Once docked, the very talented Apsara Dancers treated us to a fantastic performance.
All in all, today was filled with a combination of beauty and despair for a horrible past. However, our sadness was more than offset by hope and prosperity for the future of this remarkable nation.
