Travel Stories : Phnom Penh (Day 2 of 3)

Write up by Count Extra.

Attraction 3 : Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21)

We started our day quite early after the breakfast and made our way via tuktuk to this museum. Historically, this site was a high school used as a torturing grounds under the Khmer Rouge regime reigning years (1975 to 1979).

For this round, we opted for the Audio Guided tour device in order to understand better of how did this place become a famous tourist spot from its dark history. S-21 was well known for housing up to 20,000 prisoners during those dark period and the audio guide explained how the Khmer Rouge would torture their prisoners in order to obtain confessions, information and also to display power to the locals. Based on our guided tour, not all prisoners were of Cambodian people and some are even Western prisoners from the America, France, the United Kingdom and New Zealand to name a few.

Upon the fall of the Khmer Rouge regime, fourteen unidentified bodies were discovered in S-21. So at the ground of S-21, a memorial ground was established for them as remembrance for those who were tortured under the hands of Khmer rouge.

It was heartbreaking listening to the audio guide explaining how it was back then. All the lives that were taken due to hunger for power and influence.

Most of the blocks were once the prison cells used to contain its victim and we got the chance to enter the interrogation rooms that were used to torture the prisoners. If you inspect the room closely, you can see that there are old stains all over the room which we believe to be blood stains.

One of the rooms, you can see countless photos of prisoners taken by Khmer Rouge at Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum. You may notice that most of the pictures are people with bruised face looking straight into the camera with such pain and reluctant in their eyes. The photographs and confessions were collected and documented accordingly to prove to their leaders that their orders had been carried out.

After hearing some of the gruesome and eerie stories form the audio guide, a sense of relief I felt upon knowing that there are a number of survivors of S-21 after the fall of Khmer Rouge regime. If you are lucky, you may find yourself able to have a conversation with some of the survivors of S-21.

We covered all 4 blocks of the school from Block A- D and were so glad we went for the audio guide device.

Sir Cheapskate and I both agreed that it is one of the best audio guided tour we have come across so far comparing to our previous experience in Europe.

Please do spend that extra $3 on Audio Guide for this highly recommended trip.

Count Extra Rating: 5/5 (a must visit!)

Admission info

Opening hours : 8:00am – 5:00pm daily.

Individuals $5 (without audio guide device) / $8 (with audio guide device)

Official website : http://www.tuolslenggenocidemuseum.com

Attraction 4 : Wat Phnom

Our next spot would be the Wat Phnom! My first wat in Cambodia accompanied by Sir Cheapskate because he’s been to more Wats than I ever been before as he is more cultured (self-proclaimed and I agree).

Wat Phnom is located at the centre point of Phnom Penh and stands 27m above the ground as the tallest Buddhist temple of Phnom Penh. Many people come here to pray for wealth and success in their lives and once a wish is granted, delivery of promised offering shall be carried out by the Buddhist followers. Okay, I may have read that from somewhere but still worth knowing.

Interior wise it contains intricate details of oil paintings on their columns and ceilings of the temple. Sir Cheapskate managed to get inside the temple and witnessed the evening prayer led by the local monk for the followers.

Considering its cheap entry fee of $1 for foreigners, maybe those who are in low budget during their travel here may want to consider this as one of your stops.

Count Extra Rating: 4/5

Admission info

Opening hours: 7:00am – 6:30pm daily.

Individuals - $1

Attraction 5 : Phnom Penh Cental Market

Just a considerably short distance from Wat Phnom, after a quick stop at Hard Rock Cafe is the Central Market. We went there just for a short while to have a look at the place as we didn't intend to do much shopping.

Sir Cheapskate identified this building as Art Deco. We took a few pictures here and left for another stop as it was already late and shops were closing.

END OF DAY 2 OF 3.

- Count Extra