Limited by time and keen to pack in as much as possible our time in Cambodia was a combination of night time bus rides and whistle-stop sightseeing. We arrived in Phnom Penh from Ho Chi Minh and found a guesthouse to the north of the city right next to a small lake. We only spent one day here and so only had time for a few top spots to see including the rather shocking killing fields and prison from the Khmer Rouge genocide during the 70's. It was incredible to imagine that this occurred only 40 years ago. It was estimated that about 1.5 million people were killed during the regime which also drove the city people to work in the countryside. In addition to this, parents were separated from their children who were 'brainwashed' and given an education in torture and executions before being given leadership positions within the party. We later learnt that one of the mottoes of the KR was"To keep you is no benefit. To destroy you is no loss."
After a little break at the market for some food and contemplative thinking we moved, on a more positive note to the Royal Palace (built in 1866). The palace complex mainly features the Silver Pagoda, the Throne Hall and the Khemarin Palace. We also found some of the tree 'sculptures' rather entertaining in particular the teapot! After our rather busy day of tuk tuk sightseeing we returned to our guesthouse for some relaxed hammocking and yummy veggie curry dinner before embarking on our nightime bus which would take us to Siem Reap.
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