A decent buffet breakfast in the Caravan Hotel, then a busy day of excursions. First up, the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, the latter so named as the floor consists of solid silver tiles. Also a gold Buddha, encrusted with diamonds. All very impressive.
Next up, it is the horrific atrocities of the Pol Pot and Khmer Rouge regime. We visit Tuol Sleng (Security Prison – S21), a school that was gruesomely transformed into a torture chamber. We visit the Killing Fields about 14kms away, where over 10,000 people were executed. Choeung EK was a former orchard and Chinese cemetery, turned into a killing field by the Khmer Rouge, between 1975 and 1979. Pol Pot is widely believed to be one of the most brutal despots in modern world history.
The group take their luncheon at a nearby restaurant, catering for local and western palates.
We then battle the traffic again, for our final visit for the day, the National Museum of Fine Arts. This is a graceful terracotta building of traditional design, housing the world’s finest collection of Khmer sculpture. The day has been very warm and humid, so it’s back to the hotel for a swim and cold beer.
The Pharts decide to venture out for dinner, to a restaurant recommended by our guide. Unfortunately the heavens open, and despite an umbrella, they get wet on the walk back to the hotel.The food was pretty good, and pretty cheap. US dollars seem to be the preferred means of payment, either by cash or electronic. Off to the airport tomorrow to fly to Siem Reap.
