CAMBODIA : Phnom Penh

First solo 1-day trip overseas. This time to the Cambodian capital in May 2011. 

Flight    : Air Asia AK 272 KUL-PNH
Aircraft : Airbus A320-200
Reg.     : 9M-AHE

Arrived in Cambodia early in the morning. The airport was rather deserted. There are not many flights in a typical day. Although cost of hiring taxis are only slightly more expensive, opted for a tuk-tuk for better photographic opportunities. Unobstructed 180 degree view. The ride is also slower and more laid back. Dusty roads however are a nuisance. Luckily it didn't rain. Otherwise, I would be soaked. This is my front view. Notice the ingenious way how they installed the rear view mirrors. The airport is only 7kms to the west of the city.

Tuk-tuks here are akin to horse carriages. Instead of having horses up front, they are pulled by motorcycles. These are parked in front of the Foreign Correspondence's Club. I read that they are pushy and to be avoided. Similar characters to Malaysian taxi drivers waiting in front of KLCC! 

Hostels and pubs catering mainly for the backpackers.

A typical toll booth. Tuk-tuks are exempted. Driving here can be a harrowing experience. They drive on the right, like Americans. The junctions however are free for all and everyone seems to think they have the right of way.

Went to Psar Toul Tom Poung or the Russian Market for souvenirs. For tourists, everything is in US dollars. T-shirt quality is rather good. Some branded t-shirts are actually made here. Statues and idols are quite popular for westerners.

Local woven cloth is also a good buy. But beware, as the market is in an enclosed space and the sweltering heat is suffocating. I was sweating so profusely that the stall owner helped to fan me while I browse. How can I refuse to buy after a service like that?

The National Museum of Cambodia, completed in 1924. I actually joined a group of Polish tourists. Decided to make my own way later because the guide was talking in a language that I could not comprehend.

Beautiful Khmer architecture. The exhibits however disappoint me because they are mainly statues and idols.

The internal courtyard however, is serene and beautiful. A local was actually seen deep in prayers there.

The elephant statue is only of the head and front limbs. The rest is actually just a shaped shrub or topiary.

Sisowath Quay, a boulevard next to the mighty Mekong River which flows through Phnom Penh.

Entrance to the Royal Palace. Didn't manage to visit due to time constraint.

Another section of the Royal Palace.

The main Palace building.

Very intricate detailing.

Independance Monument. Built in 1958 to commemorate Cambodia's independence from France. 

A luxurious mansion on the way to  Choeung Ek.

The new Malaysian Embassy. Only opened about three months earlier. I was actually harassed later by the security guards for snapping photographs. Hey! I'm Malaysian you know. For all I care, some of my tax money was actually used to finance that building.

Interesting traffic that we passed. A cart full of earthenware.

Live chickens heading to some markets!

This was actually a wedding feast. They usually have a colourful tent for the feast complete with stainless steel barricades and elaborately constructed main entrance. Mind you, these are all temporary!

Unfortunately unable to sample the local durians. Then again they could be the tasteless variety that comes from Thailand.

A sandwich stall. A variety of filling for those long french bread.

A local market. The ones next to the main roads are usually very dusty.

A stall selling fresh coconuts and drinks. The content of the bottles on the right is actually petrol. It is bought usually by motorcyclists. I was informed that stalls like this sell it cheaper than the proper petrol stations.

Finally reach the main turn off to Choeung Ek Genocidal Centre which is the most famous of all the Killing Fields. It is located only about 17kms to the south of the city but the trip took almost 40 minutes.

The main signage for Choeung Ek Genocidal Centre.

The main structure there is a stupa housing thousands of skulls and bones of victims of the Khmer Rouge regime.

These were dug from the surrounding mass graves and about 5,000 of them are stacked inside the stupa as a chilling reminder of the atrocities of the regime.

Bone remains.

Some of the dug mass graves.

They counted the remains that were found in each graves.

Just read the caption. It was horrific.

Complete view of the stupa. Notice how the skulls were stacked in there? There were also fragments of bones and clothing that the victims were buried in. Most were killed in various horrific ways and dumped together in mass graves.

Intricate details on the roof.

Just cannot imagine that a calm countryside like this can hold such a dark history. There is a small museum nearby which shows a short film on the history of the Killing Fields. 17,000 people were believed to have been executed here alone.

Had a quick lunch with my tuk-tuk driver here, before entering the  Choeung Ek Genocidal Centre. A simple peasant fare of vegetarian noodles with free-flow of chinese tea.

Although Cambodia gained her independance from France in 1953, French is still widely used. However, only the older generation speak the language. The younger set prefer to converse in English.

Finally back to the airport for the flight home. An end to a very tiring but eye-opening trip.

Flight    : AirAsia AK 275 PNH-KUL
Aircraft : Airbus A320-200
Reg.     : 9M-AFV