Cambodia

Showing posts with label Day trip - Phnom Penh. Show all posts

Phochani Pavillion, Royal Palace Cambodia

Royal Palace Cambodia

Phochani Pavillion of the Royal Palace Cambodia was built in 1912. It is an open hall which was originally constructed as a classical dance theatre.

https://picturesqueasia.blogspot.com/2017/08/royal-palace-cambodia.html

Independence Monument - Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Independence Monument was built in 1958 for Cambodia's independence from France in 1953.

Cambodia Terrain - Beautiful Views from Plane (Part-1)

Terrain: mostly low, flat plains; mountains in southwest and north.

Reserve windows seat while taking a flight from Cambodia as you will be able to see beautiful sights and terrain. Mostly it is flat plains with mountains in southwest and north. During rice cultivation and rainy season, lush green field and canals view from top is just amazing.

Some pictures from plane while travelling from Phnom Penh, Cambodia to Bangkok, Thailand may give you flavor of Cambodia:

Rainbow

During August and September, its is quite common to see Rainbow in Cambodia.

Rainbow

TonleSap River Trip - Sunset/dinner Cruise

Phnom Penh at night is just amazing. Sunset cruises along the Phnom Penh riverfront are easy to arrange and offer an interesting view of the city. A cruise typically takes about 1 - 2 hours and runs up the Tonle Sap River along the central riverfront area providing a picturesque view of the Royal Palace, National Museum, parks and Phnom Penh skyline, and then across the Tonle Sap and up the Mekong River to view floating fishing villages.

Phnom Penh Skyline:

Phnom Penh Skyline

Naga Hotel and Suburbs

Royal Palace Area

River Side near Royal Palace

Sokha Hotel

Kanika Floating restaurant is one the excellent option offered by Himawari Hotel. We had arranged a private trip for two hours and arranged fast food. Cool breeze and then rain made this trip unforgettable.

More details on Kanika boat is available at:

http://www.himawarihotel.com/en/recreations.html

A Day Trip to Rabbit Island (Kep Province)

A Day Trip to Rabbit Island (Kep Province)

Are you ready to get first hand on the ground information about a day trip from Phnom Penh to Rabbit Island in Kep Province? Here you go...

Rabbit Island is around 3 hours drive from Phnom Penh. The road is good and the scenery is great. It would be better if you hire a private taxi. This way you can stop anywhere on the way and take pictures. The taxi will cost you from US$ 35 to $50 (depending upon your negotiation skills).

The below are some scenes captured by us on the way.

Killing Fields (Choeung Ek genocidal Centre) – Cambodia

Caution: Some pictures may be disturbing for viewers

This memorial park has been built around mass graves of victims. Foreigners are suppose to pay an entrance fee of around USD 5. This fee includes audio equipment (returnable) with several languages support. Sites are marked with numbers so that tourists can listen to specific details about the site.

Most of the victims were prisoners at S-21 prison in Phnom Penh (Tuol Sleng) who were executed at this site. Shooting was not the only way to execute, our guide has told us that children and infants of adult victims were killed by having their heads bashed against trees. This is done to stop them growing up and taking revenge of their loved ones.

Details about Stupa available at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Choeung_Ek

The first thing you see after entrance is commemorative stupa which is filled with the skulls of the victims at the killing fields of Cheoung Ek site.

Tourists taking pictures and listening to audio aid provided at entrance.

Few victims’ skulls. Estimated number of killing during genocide is 2.5 million.

These pictures worth thousand words.

Another view of Stupa

Mass grave of more than 100 victims (mostly women and children)

Site of a mass grave with a picture taken at the time of excavation.

Mass graves. We can still see pieces of bones. Guide has told us that some of the victims were ordered to dig their own graves.

Loud speaker were attached to this tree and loud music used to be played so that people in nearby villages could not hear sounds of crying, beating and killing.

This is not orange tree. Guide has told us that this is poisonous fruit. During genocide people who brought here were also asked to eat these.

Pieces of bones remaining after excavation in 1980.

View of Stupa from sites of excavated mass graves.

Token of respect by Tourists and visitors to mass graves

Rags of victims’ clothes. The glass box contains rags of victims’ clothes which come up after raining, after the mass graves were exhumed in 1980.

Mass grave

Choeung Ek is one of the main tourists attraction in Cambodia. Listening audio tape for stories of survivors, skulls & bones and video film may make you really depressed but it’s a reality which Cambodia suffered in 70’s.