TUOL SLENG Former security office s21

We departed early for our final destination of Phnom Penn. Journey time just shy of 4hours. Roads were better but a lot of traffic congestion as we approached the city. Chalk and cheese from the rural towns with obvious wealth around amongst the down at heel.

Since arriving we've visited the Cambodian national museum which has many signs forbidding photography, shame really as there are many wonderful artefacts to see. Shame too that just as we were leaving I found out I could of paid $1 for a photography permit!

Moving on we visited the royal palace and wandered around it's many ornate building snapping away as we went. Although not strictly in chronological order we also went to S.21

Many know of the killing fields and for many Cambodians S.21 was a horrendous place of torture before being sent to the killing fields to meet their demise.

Though I took photos of the buildings, the unfortunate people and their cells I noticed this leaf on barbed wire on the way out and thought it served as a suitable symbol for all the hearts broken by torture within this and the surrounding area. Many of the houses around were used to photograph, interrogate and torture people away from their cells.

It's a terribly sad place to visit.

Tomorrow we leave and I certainly have mixed feelings about the place and my experiences here.

One thing for sure the best attribute the country has is its people. The Cambodians have shown us great hospitality and the children a great smile and sense of fun even when they have little themselves.