Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, Cambodia

Cambodia was a new, different experience from what we had already seen in Taiwan, China and Vietnam. The poverty in Cambodia is much more prevalent and victims of war, homeless children and beggars are very common sights no matter where you are in the city. The city roads are paved but 1 minute outside of it, you find yourself on red dirt, pot-hole filled roads. A few minutes in a tuk-tuk on these roads and your skin is turned to an off red color.

Hanging out outside "Herbs Happy Pizza", in Phnom Penh -->

The tourist sites we went to were not the happiest of places by any means. We visited 'The Killing Fields' where the mass graves of over 9,000 Cambodians were found. These people were the victims of the Khemer Rouge mass genocide that happened in the late '70's. We also went to the prison where thousands of Cambodians were held, beaten and tortured, prior to being killed and taken to the 'Killing Fields'. The prison was actually a school, that the Khmer Rouge gutted and transformed into hundreds of awful holding cells. A tour of these places, leaves you feeling sick to your stomach. However, despite these sadnesses, the people of Cambodia are incredibly friendly and the city is filled with beautiful architecture and amazing Wats. (temples)

<-- The site of the "Killing Fields". Walking around this place, you simply see big holes everywhere that served as the mass graves. At the front entrance is a big structure holding the skulls of all those who were found buried.


The old school that was transformed into a Tuel Sleng Prison by the Khmer Rouge.-->


















ANGKOR WAT


The typical postcard shot of Angkor Wat



Following our days in Phnom Penh, we bussed it up to Siem Reap to see Angkor Wat - the old capitol of the Khmer Empire, ruling over S.E. Asia. I'm sure many of you have heard of Angkor Wat, but for those who haven't, it is considered an architectural masterpiece. It is huge, full of intricate detail, and breathtakingly beautiful. Surprisingly, we learned that it was only used for religious purposes and that noone ever actually lived in it.


<^--We had a 5 a.m start to catch the sunrise on Angkor Wat.

<-- The intricate detail of 'The Terrace of the Leper King'. Detail like this is absolutely everywhere, all over every wall, brick and door way.

From far, The Bayon Temple looks like a pile of rubble.

Up close, you can see much more amazing details. The whole place is covered with these different faces...super cool.

<-- A steep climb up the so-called 'steps'. Imagine doing this everyday...?


This temple was amazing because these HUGE trees had grown over and on top of the existing walls. Seeing how big these trees are, and knowing they are younger than the temple itself, gives you a great idea of just how old these temples really are. -->


^^ All the trees, and their giant roots, have ruined many of the walls and structures. The rubble still lies around the grounds giving it a very natural, and real kind of feeling.-->