Time for some recent history

The Stupa (Buddhist memorial)

Our time in Cambodia was very rushed and so we only had time for two places-Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. Phnom Penh is known for the horrific killings that took place under the Paul Potts regime only 30 years ago and so the Choeung Ek Killing Fields are a frequently visited spot by tourists. The killing fields, as the name suggests, were where over a million Cambodians were taken to be slaughtered, so although it wasn't the most enjoyable trip it was one that needed to be done. It was a pretty gruesome experience walking past mass grave after mass grave, with fragments of bone and pieces of clothing still being found today. There was an audio tour around the site which was really informative and included extracts from people who suffered under the regime.

Inside the Stupa were more than 5000 skulls 

These mass graves were spread over the site

 

Area cordoned off due to fragments still being found

Known as the "Baby tree"

The executions were carried out using killings tools such as shackles and knives, bullets were considered too expensive. However defectors from the Khmer Rouge were beheaded.

Next on our itinerary was to visit the Tuol Sleng detention centre or S21. It was originally a school but under Kymer Rouge rule it was converted to a prison. The prisoners from this would eventually end up at the killing fields, lots of whom were political prisoners. Now a museum, the buildings have photos of all the prisoners, even women with young babies.

Paul Potts- head of the Khmer Rouge

The sports apparatus used by the school boys had been adapted for torture and there was barbed wire around the buildings to prevent suicide attempts from the upper levels. This day was really worthwhile but left us feeling emotionally drained.

Make-shift prison cells 

Evidence that it was previously a school