Phnom Penh and the Khmer Rouge

Our time in Phnom Penh focused around acquainting ourselves with the history of Cambodia and the tragic events that happened under the Khmer Rouge.  Some very tough years during this unimaginable genocide.  There were many times when I had to look away because the pictures were so graphic.

Our one and only glimpse of the Royal Palace grounds as we decided to skip this sight and its expensive entrance fee.

Outside the Royal Palace grounds where locals gathered to sit, pray and what appeared to be worship before a large picture of former king Norodom Sihanouk who died in Oct 2012.  His picture was seen throughout the country.

Monks outside Wat Ounalom.

Killing Fields of Choenung Ek: Monica and I hired a tuk-tuk for the day to take us around and our fist stop was this memorial set at the location where 17000 prisoners were executed.  The stupa shown here holds 8000 skulls of victims uncovered on the grounds in and around this field.

The number of executions continued to increase that at one point, the clothes were left on the prisoners.  Pieces of clothing continue to appear as the ground erodes.

Our second stop was at Tuol Sleng Museum, otherwise known as S-21.  This was a high school the Khmer Rouge turned into the largest security prison in the country.  This is where the prisoners were tortured before they were brought to the killing fields.  

Classrooms turned into torture chambers and prison cells, they are now lined with photos of each of the prisoners, part of the detailed record keeping of the Khmer Rouge.