I think I should start off this post by mentioning that I did not originally plan to go to Cambodia. My plan was to visit Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam. I found that a lot of travelers I met along the way recommended I visit Cambodia.  Since I was in the area, and found a cheap flight, off I went for a few days.

For my time in Cambodia I visited two major cities; I flew into Siem Reap and then took a bus down to Phnom Penh. I arrived to Cambodia just as the three day Khmer New Year celebrations began.

 

Siem Reap

 

Angkor Silk Farm

A fun city highlight in Siem Reap is the Angkor Silk Farm. The farm itself is a project funded by the European Union and Royal Government of Cambodia to provide an economic and social relaunch of the silk industry in the northwest provinces. I was able to see the silk-making process and traditional Cambodian weaving techniques. 

 

Boat Trip

I took a boat tour along the river in Siem Reap to see the village and market on the water. I was able to see families living along the water as well as an orphanage. Unfortunately, the tour took a sour note when I would not give additional money to the boat guide who begged for more money after paying the full price agreed.

 

Angkor Wat

The following morning I woke up at 4am to make a morning temple tour. The temperature in Cambodia is so hot right now that if you don’t tour something outside in the early morning or evening, you’ll be in extreme and unbearable heat. I started the tour by watching the sunrise at Angkor Wat, a temple complex that is the biggest religious site in the world. The view was spectacular.

 

The day continued on with tours of Ta Prohm, a temple overgrown by the jungle and trees. We then visited Angkor Thom, the last capital of the Khmer empire. Included in this is the Terrace of Elephants where the pillars are carved to look like elephant trunks. Long ago the king used this site as a great hall, and it has a similar use today; the site was set up for New Year events. We finished the tour with Bayon Temple, known for its statues with many faces.

 

 

Phnom Penh

As the capital of Cambodia, I was eager to visit and see the city. I took a bus ride down the country which allowed me to see the countryside and meet the locals. Upon arrival in Phnom Penh, I celebrated the New Year with my fellow hostelers. This was a lot of fun as everyone was in a party mood. The next day however, was very different.

 

An important place to visit in Phnom Penh is the Choeung Ek Genocidal Center, more commonly known as ‘The Killing Fields’. Learning new things about different cultures has been the best aspect of travel. However, this stop was by far the hardest and saddest. The Cambodian people had a mass genocide between 1975 and 1979. The Khmer Rouge regime’s policies led to the deaths of an estimated 25 percent of the total population (around 2 million people).

 

I did an audio-guided tour around the mass grave sites where thousands of Cambodians- men, women, and children, were murdered. Hundred of these sites are located all around Cambodia. While this was definitely not the most enjoyable thing I have done on my journey, it was important for me to understand the history that affects the people of Cambodia. I thank my friends who were a shoulder to cry on that day, I know we all felt like we went through an emotional roller coaster.

 

Pictured in the distance is the Memorial Stupa where the remains of Choeung Ek’s victims are preserved.

 

I am so glad I was able to visit this spectacular country and meet more amazing people.

Next up, a bus ride to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.