Killing fields

Note: lots of pictures, give time to load.....

Today we went on a half day self guided audio tour to the S21 prison and killing fields here in Phnom Pehn, Cambodia. It’s also a travel day as we are heading to Seim Reap, Cambodia.. after the tour. We have been lucky, today is the first day of rain we have seen. But, then the sun came out and it got hot. 

Before you read any further..... this will probably be a sad and depressing post. The most surprising was this has happened not so long ago. It has been during my Life time.1975-1979. I was hesitant to go. as I’m soft and emotional. A lot of info and I’m just giving the basics without giving you a history lesson. If you expand the photos you can read each thing... 

Proceed with caution.....  

We arrived at S21 prison and learned about the history of this place.

It used to be a school Until it was taken over by the regime. They held prisoners here and tortured them for confessions.  They took over the city. Killing millions as a revenge on the way the country was progressing.killed most of the Cambodian population. 

These are the graves of the last 14 people found.torture bed rules One had to follow.torture bed cells the cells now have metal bars on them to keep them from crumbling overthey blew out holes between classrooms for easy access for the regime. prisoners chained to the floorthis man was lifted by his arms and put in that pot with human remains, dirty water and feces over and over again.clothes of prisoners the second floor was the children’s torture place, I refused to go up there. The regime took photos of each prisoner. (There were a lot!) When they entered. Weren’t allowed to take photos of many things. I got what I could. An artist captured the paintings as a witness. Names of thousands of prisoners that were tortured to death. It was a lot to grasp but, the next part gets worse. There were 2 survivors at the end of the tour,selling their books on their story. I couldn’t even look them in the eye. Very very sad. 

The Killing feilds 

This is where the trucks with 300 or more in it, arriving to their demise. The buildings are no longer there. The limbs on this tree have sharp jagged edges that were used to torture and kill prisoners of any age.Mass grave 450clothes of all sizes and bone fragments that have been dug up or on top from monsoon seasons. Graves gravesThis is where I lost  it... balled like a baby.. they would beat the children against this tree and snap the necks/backs, skulls.....then they were thrown into this grave. Gravessad and depressing. I just can’t explain.Teeth and bone are still being found to this day. The tour ended, we went back to the Air BnB , walked to mall and got a Tuk Tuk to catch our bus to Siem Reap Cambodia. I have lots to think about.making sure our bags go in...nothing like cutting your toenails at work.. the bus station...bored..... 7 hours later.... we arrive.. 

We have arrived in Siem Reap, Cambodia ...best service we have received in Asia hands-down..had a Tuk Tuk waiting for us, greeted us at the door with a cool towel, fruit/tea drinks, fruit,sweet potato chips peanuts, told us everything that we needed to know and escorted us to our room which we were upgraded to a Junior suite. Reserved Tuk Tuk for our 430 am tour to Angkor Wat. Boxed breakfast to go.. can we just stay here?? Lol 36.00 a night.... tour in 4 hours... 4:30 am for sunrise at Angkor Wat. ..... goodnight