Cambodia

Day 16 : Phnom Pehn

Posted on by Brian and Marisha

Back in the city. Well, this was suppose to be 3 days of the Water festival and dragon boat races, but due to the death of Cambodia's long time King, they have been canceled. Good and bad we guess. Crowds will be cut down on more than half in the city, but we have always wanted to be at a major festival in another country....so close. 

We entered into the capital city at night and hit a major traffic jam. We are still unclear if the is normal for Phnom Penh, or  if this sis due to the holiday/king's death. Either way we got to see some great feats of balance with families and mort scooters. 

The guys in a Tuk-Tuk on our last day all together.

We booked a place ahead for 3 days that is on the edge of the city, quieter with a handy little rooftop bar-lounge we seemed to have to ourselves every day. We met a few "non-traditional" students from Dubai and London - all studying a Masters program in Singapore. Is this the new thing? Masters degrees in Singapore? Like the new ipad and iphone Hostels/Backpacker thing? We were told that the festival got rowdy and it is nice to have an escape and place to watch the madness from above. Now it is just a nice chill place to hang out.

We had a plan to go to Tuol Sleng Prison then the Killing Fields to learn more about the Khmer Rouge and pay respect to the events that happened here only 30 years ago. Toul Sleng, once a secondary school in the center of Phnom Pehn, was turned into a Prison after the city was evacuated. After April 1975 it was knows as S-21 where Pol Pot and the KR housed and tortured several thousand people. Peasants, workers, technicians, engineers, doctors, students, monks, foreigners, opposing soldiers and government officials were imprisoned, tortured, then exterminated here and at the Killing Fields (along with their wives and children). When the city was re-taken and the Khmer Rouge ran into the hills, the prison was left "as-is". Photos were taken and everything has been left as it was - (beds, clothing, makeshift shackles, torture devices and prisoner photos). It is now a Genocide museum where uncensored death scene photos are displayed in the rooms they were photographed in, as is... complete with stains and heavy heavy vibes. It was so hard to see and imagine that this happened in our lifetime. We did not even make it to the killing fields. That was enough for us to "get it" and there was really no need to see more. We tried to shake it off by submerging ourselves in a crazy locals market. That is always a great way to lose your thoughts. The smells alone will usually distract you from pretty much anything.
On a happier note, we got wind that in Cambodia, you can shoot a machine gun - wait what? Really? And with about 5 minutes of research, its TRUE. So guess what we did today!? Do they offer badges at Rambo camp?

Checking out a trippy tree in downtown Phnom Penh
Hanging out in downtown near the riverfront. The most French Colonial area in the city.
A Buddha temple outside the Royal Palace. I just love these. They make me feel good. Like I shouldn't kill an ant or a spider, but I will.
Happy hour at the FCC - we LOVE happy hours
Phnom Pehn Brian loves the plethora of retired military jeeps around here - this is just one of many. And for Uncle Rod (Hot Rod)
Outside the Royal Palace. the Palace is closed for 3 months due to the King's death. People from all over the country came to pray outside this tample where the body will stay for that time. This pot is all filled with burning incense and they line the street down the entire block
The Foreign Correspondance Club. Fcc's were established as meeting places during the wars for photographers, writers, reporters or even diplomats to gather and meet with anyone within the journalistic comminity.
Delicious refreshing mojitos.

Ahead of time, We booked a place called The Royal Inn for 3 days. It  is on the edge of the city, quieter with a handy little rooftop bar-lounge we seemed to have to ourselves every day. We met a few "non-traditional" students from Dubai and London - all studying a Masters program in Singapore. Is this the new thing? Masters degrees in Singapore? Like the new ipad and iphone Hostels/Backpacker thing? We were told that the festival got rowdy and it is nice to have an escape and place to watch the madness from above. Now it is just a nice chill place to hang out.

The royal Inn. The view from our Hotel roof. A good idea of Phnom Penh
Brian - its a sign, the B lounge is calling you with a halo of light. Its a message from God himself.
The rooftop bar "the B lounge" at the Royal Inn. Checking into facebook as we speak...via wifi.
OO with our new friend.
And the star of this trip - Angkor beer. They tried them all and this was the clear winner.

We had a plan to go to Tuol Sleng Prison then the Killing Fields to learn more about the Khmer Rouge and pay respect to the events that happened here only 30 years ago. Toul Sleng, once a secondary school in the center of Phnom Pehn, was turned into a Prison after the city was evacuated. After April 1975 it was knows as S-21 where Pol Pot and the KR housed and tortured several thousand people. Peasants, workers, technicians, engineers, doctors, students, monks, foreigners, opposing soldiers and government officials were imprisoned, tortured, then exterminated here and at the Killing Fields (along with their wives and children). When the city was re-taken and the Khmer Rouge ran into the hills, the prison was left "as-is". Photos were taken and everything has been left as it was - (beds, clothing, makeshift shackles, torture devices and prisoner photos). It is now a Genocide museum where uncensored death scene photos are displayed in the rooms they were photographed in, as is... complete with stains and heavy heavy vibes. It was so hard to see and imagine that this happened in our lifetime.

 

Phnom Penh park. Downtown. We ordered ahead for this monk to make our picture just perfect.
Temples in Downtown Phnom Penh

We did not even make it to the killing fields. That was enough for us to "get it" and there was really no need to see more. We tried to shake it off by submerging ourselves in a crazy locals market. That is always a great way to lose your thoughts. The smells alone will usually distract you from pretty much anything.  One major discovery was made today, though, and that is how incredibly special the Cambodian people are. 

Brian and I have traveled quite a bit. And no matter where we go - there is an air of caution you need to hold on to when dealing with local merchants, text drivers and anyone servicing tourists. IF you are not careful you WILL get taken for a ride one way or another - its just part of traveling in these countries. OO had left a shopping bag under the seat of our hired TukTuk. When we came out of the cafe, our driver was gone (although he was suppose to wait for us). He was offered a fare to the airport which he couldn't refuse. We all thought Jim's new souvenirs were history and proceeded to take a different ride back to our Hotel. When we arrived back, there was Jim's bag waiting for him at the front desk. The driver had dropped it off on his way to the airport. That would NEVER happen at any other country/city we have been to. They truly are amazing people with an unspoiled tourist industry. 

Outside a temple in downtown Phnom Penh
B and I Not sure if it's starbucks or subway. From the chair I am sitting in, this is the starbucks part.
Beware of fruit lady weilding knife. If you see her, run.
.... this is the subway side. There is a lounge in the back also...see...confused.

On a happier note, we got wind that in Cambodia, you can shoot a machine gun - wait what? Really? And with about 5 minutes of research, its TRUE.  Jim left this morning and B and I have a day left so naturally, guess what we did today!? Do they offer badges at Rambo camp?

And here we go. Our first stop towards Rambo camp
And campers, who would like to sign up for sniper class? Its fun and a great way to polish your concentration skills. After that we'll make pet rocks.
Hehe - seriously. This is 2 of the 3 racks we get to choose from ... Rack 3 is bigger hahahaha. Bigger guns that is. You can also kick it up and go up into the hills to shoot a shoulder rocket launcher or hand granades. Cant imagine what they charge for that.
The range. If you look close I hit every one. We would have kicked some ass if B and I had out own unit. We might even let Tommy in it.

Rambo Camp "You go first"!

As the guy just hands me a gun an thinks I know what to do.... thank god we started with a littler one first.

 

 

We had our Tuk Tuk driver shoot a few. He has driven people out there and never got to shoot one himself. Funny he gave us his email so we can send him the photo so he can show his buddies. They must think we are nuts to pay for crap like this.
Oh seriously. See what we mean?! Crazy they even let people do this. Floyd Lloyd would be in heaven here and broke. next time grenades
Now this was on the ground. They have 2 gators - not sure what for, but right as we were leaving we found out what this is for. Mr Army man was cutting a chicken in half .... or Floyd Boyde Lloyd is coming to dinner.
Our spot. Check out those shells - $100 for 10 minutes of pure awesome. It costs $50 for a box of 30 bullets - thats not a lot
Take your pick, we'll let you play with whatever you want as long as you pay money.
The same day (our last day) we hit a boxing match. 125 degrees in there. Traveled from the outskirts of one end of the city to the outskirts of the oposite end of the city to hit this and we got to see the end og one fight and the last fight we actually go to see the start of was over with a 30 second knock out.

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