CAMBODIA - Phnom Penh

I travelled to Cambodia back in 2007 and it was quite memorable because it is the first time that I travelled with my beau. I visited both Phnom Penh city which is the capital of Cambodia and Siem Reap where the site of Angkor Wat is.


Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum is a former high school which was converted into a prison and interrogation centre named “Security Prison 21” (S-21) by Khmer Rouge. Electrified barbed wire was installed around the school perimeter to prevent prisoner’s escape.


This is where the Khmer Rouge tortured their prisoners by hanging them up side down and dipped their head into the water in the pot until they confessed.


Photos of victims of the Khmer Rouge on the wall. From 1975 to 1979, out of an estimated 17,000 people who were imprisoned here, only twelve were known to survive.


The picture of the mass graves.


The school room rooms were divided into cells.


Razor wire at the corridors.


Pictures that depict the torture and interrogation methods used by the Khmer Rouge.


Torture device.


This is a local university student who was doing a survey in the museum. My beau and I helped answer some questionnaires.


Wat Phnom is a Buddhist temple built in 1373. Legend has it that a wealthy widow, Daun Penh, found a tree on the bank of Mekong with 4 statues of Buddha inside. She built a temple on an artificial hill to protect the sacred statues.


The main hall of Wat Phnom.


Elephant ride is available for visitors under the hill of Wat Phnom.


Next, I headed to Central Market. The yellow dome building has 4 arms branching out to countless stalls. It is a great place to get souvenirs for bargain.


I took a ride of the Tut-tut car around Central Market.


The Royal Palace was occupied by kings of Cambodia since it was built in 1860s until the reign of Khmer Rouge. It has four main compounds divided by walls. Behind me is the throne hall where the king’s confidants, generals and royal official once carried out their duties.


The building behind my beau is the Phochani Pavilion (dance hall).



The Silver Pagoda houses many national treasures including gold and jewelled Buddha statue. It is also the official temple of the King of Cambodia.


The wall murals depicts the epic story of Reamker but the bottom of the painting faded due to negligence.


Stupa of King Norodom Suramit.


The stupa behind us is Stupa Kantha Bopha.


A quick photo stop in front of the Independence Monument. It was built in 1958 for Cambodia’s independence from France. It is at the intersection of Norodom Boulevard and Sihanouk Boulevard.


Later I went for a river cruise at the Mekong river.


Floating fishing village.




Enjoyed the sunset view during the cruise. I’m leaving Phnom Penh to go to Siem Reap in the next morning.


On the way to Siem Reap, the tour bus stopped for refreshment and toilet break. The local snacks that was being sold included fried spiders!


Our tour guide ate a fried spider in front of us. It’s quite freaky actually.





I also visited a workshop where the artists produce paintings and carvings.





After the workshop visit, we headed back to the road.



Finally I reached Siem Reap in the evening. This is the hotel that I stayed in.



Next, I’ll visit the world famous Angkor Wat.


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