southern Cambodia and the Vipassana Dhura Buddhist Center from Oudong mountainWe reached Phnom Penh on Thursdsay after five hours on the Mekong River.
Cambodia should be viewed through the lens of the Khmer Rouge (Cambodian Communist) regime led by Pol Pot, 1975-79. An estimated two to three million people (about a quarter of the population) were killed, the currency eradicated, religion outlawed, hospitals shuttered, and schools closed, setting the country back hundreds of years. Genocide targets included professionals, intellectuals, artists, foreigners, diplomats, and any other suspected political enemies. A slower death faced urbanites who were forced out of the cities and onto collective farms. Cambodia has managed an incredible recovery in only 40 years, yet the after-affects are still visible, and it is considered an LDC (least developed country). Currently described as a constitutional monarchy, it has a single party and the second-longest serving prime minister in the world, so you can drawn your own conclusions.
S-21 prison, now Tuol Sleng museumFormerly a high school, the prison was primarily used for interrogation and torture.Shrine at Choeung Ek killing field, the location of many mass graves. This is just one of countless sites.The archives program is going strong as cultural memory and education. Let us learn from the mistakes of history, in part through preserving and promoting its documentation. lotus, in memoriam
Phnom Penh to Kampong Thom, 20 flat miles, overcast with occasional light rain, mid-80s Kampong Thom to Siem Reap, 40 flat and fast miles, partly cloudy, mid-80s
Phnom Penh and the royal palace. We’re here at the beginning of rainy season.Most of the country roads are constructed of red sandy dirt brought from the mountains. Inside of the Vipassana Dhura Buddhist temple, which I think is kind of like the national temple.bridge on the way to Siem Reap built in 1181 during the Angkor periodat the spider market in SkuonThe empty back roads are cycling heaven. It is less busy here than in Vietnam.Old and new: traditional stilt house beside a modern home.a common sight – an overworked motorbikeseeing a lot of these interesting transport vehiclesSiem Reap’s large tourist quarterThe lemongrass flavor of the soup, the fish curry, and the coconut chicken skewers were all divine.Things we did not eat: scorpions.tarantulas and grasshoppersred ant egg saladKampong Thom market I like how in Cambodian markets, the stalls are elevated instead of on the ground.
You are truly a bold adventurer, Jane! Even if you didn’t eat the scorpions, I’m impressed you held that giant spider. Also, I think you need to bring Nathan back one of those tractor/truck mashups.
I only held the tarantula after the little girl who handed it to me said the fangs had been removed. She then charged me a dollar for the experience. The tractor/truck thing looks bizarre but really does the job around here – highly maneuverable, especially on these rough roads.
Oh, man, I am getting so many flashbacks to the news of my youth. Pol Pot was … gosh is there a word? It requires more than one. Genocidal maniac and maniac doesn’t do it. It’s a sad, beautiful place, and I do love the picture of you with the defanged spider. Man. Happy cycling, girl. I can’t wait to talk to you about this stuff! Sooo glad your food adventurousness doesn’t extend to insects…
The Journey in Between 
You are truly a bold adventurer, Jane! Even if you didn’t eat the scorpions, I’m impressed you held that giant spider. Also, I think you need to bring Nathan back one of those tractor/truck mashups.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I could not agree more. I’d also like a spider.
LikeLike
I only held the tarantula after the little girl who handed it to me said the fangs had been removed. She then charged me a dollar for the experience. The tractor/truck thing looks bizarre but really does the job around here – highly maneuverable, especially on these rough roads.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I now realize how little I knew about Cambodia. Essentially nothing. The little that I did know came from the Dead Kennedy’s song.
LikeLike
Oh, man, I am getting so many flashbacks to the news of my youth. Pol Pot was … gosh is there a word? It requires more than one. Genocidal maniac and maniac doesn’t do it. It’s a sad, beautiful place, and I do love the picture of you with the defanged spider. Man. Happy cycling, girl. I can’t wait to talk to you about this stuff! Sooo glad your food adventurousness doesn’t extend to insects…
LikeLike