Monday, April 13
We started great by train to Copenhagen. Unfortunately, Henning Dannesboe have to sign at the last moment, because his knee was so bad that he had to have a knee replacement instead of traveling to Southeast Asia. We had a nice flight to Bangkok. Landed at. 30.5. Good food and lodging along the way.
Tuesday, April 14
Arrived on schedule to Cambodia - Phnom Penh at. 09:00. We quickly got our rooms. Oanh Le from Hanoi came only later, as Elisabeth and I took the trip at. 12 for a light lunch at the hotel. We took a TukTuk to Tuol Sleng museum also called S 21. This was where Pol Pot let torturing and executing many of the 2 million. people who were killed during his regime. It was almost one in five of the country's population - even children as young as 8-years. It was a tough experience. From there we continued to the Russian market. Because of the New Year, which celebrates d. 15/4 was unfortunately closed, so the trip went immediately to Wat Phnom - a large Buddhist temple. There were many people because. New Year. We had taken some fine jerseys. It caused happiness. Last stop was the Royal Palace. It recalls the Royal Palace in Bangkok - is slightly smaller. Our hotel is close to the royal palace - so we went home. Pm. 19:00 we went in search of a good restaurant. We took a right at the next corner and ate a nice dinner. When we got home was Oanh Le arrived, so now we were ready for new adventures the next day!
Toul Sleng
Toul Sleng prison
Toul Sleng prison
Toul Sleng prison
It was tough to visit Pol Pot's torture center. Man killed not just people. First they were photographed, then tortured to confess to imaginary crimes. If they died of hunger or diseases, they were executed.
Famous artist
Wat Nom
Flowers
Munk
Royal Palace
Royal Palace
Wednesday, April 15
I had planned a trip to a very nice pagoda, which we visited last year. The only problem was, I had forgotten the name. I described it for the nice waiters in the restaurant, and he found out the name and wrote it down for me. This note we gave to TukTuk driver. He was not much to drive as far, but agreed in the end. After we got there I could see that it was a completely different pagoda. Not at a place where the tourists came. It was a great experience anyway, and we were certainly met many ordinary Cambodians. They were dressed and in good spirits because. New Year. The pagoda is 40 km from Phnom Penh, so it was a long ride on rough roads - but it gave a fine look into how ordinary people in the country live. We saw lots of houses on stilts. Right now the dry season, but at other times of the year, there is much more water, so houses on stilts is convenient. Although not quite go as planned, all agreed that it had been an exciting ride. We repeated the success from yesterday and visited the same restaurant. Tomorrow we get up early to take V.I.P. bus to Siem Reap.
We never found the pagoda, as Henning actually wanted to visit. Instead we saw another where there was plenty of Cambodians due. Days off in connection with the New Year.
Thursday, April 16
We have had two wonderful days in Phnom Penh. With a different program than usual. Now there are new challenges in Siem Reap. But first a long bus ride on bad roads. From the start we were 20 minutes late. The guide on the bus could not speak English, so there was no information. The trip took 7 1/2 hours. Much of the delay was due to a puncture on the way. is the second day of the Cambodian New Year. I think everyone wanted to Angkor Wat to watch the sunset. I have previously seen many people out there - from 5 to 10,000 people, but this time broke traffic together. We had 2 TukTukker and came away from each other, and since it was impossible to find each other in crowds, we met again until the hotel. Elizabeth was in good hands with our guide Sophal. We then got a good dinner, and then were all very tired. Only Oanh would in the city. For there was mirth due. New Year. This was however to come to bed we had to get up at. 4 the next morning. We must namely to Angkor.
We were near never come out to watch the sunset in Angkor. Due. New Year was half the nation taken there. It looked like Tokyo during rush hour. The skyscrapers lacked!
Friday, April 17
All came up on time, and there was departing at 5. There is a special feeling when driving to Angkor in the dark. We found the seats we usually sit on. We were very lucky with the sun. It was very great today. After sunrise we ate a packed breakfast. Sophael known a restaurant where we could buy tea and coffee for the picnic, so we ate. After breakfast we went first to Angkor Thom. It is the royal town where there are 5 exits. Our TukTukker drove through the gate and Sophael told about gods and demons. The first real stop was Bayon temple - also known as the temple with many faces. There were long friezes with the country's history - carved in sandstone. The temples had many stairs and taken many pictures. Then preceding implementation of the a huge Hindu temple. A Shiratempel which has been under restoration for the past 20 years. Impressive was also the great Hindu temple "Baphuon Temple". Here there was again a lot of stairs, and they were very steep. After Baphuon we visited the Royal Palace, which is very dilapidated. We saw the royal pool. We walked out of the main entrance. Here was a place where the king with his court could let arrange ceremonies and "entertainment" - including big elephant fights. We found our TukTuk and enjoyed a great bottle of cold water from the cooler! Thirst and heat can cause water to taste like wine! Ta Phrom is slightly out. It is also called the Temple of the many trees. Here you are also in the process of restoration, but the trees are allowed to be. Too much would collapse if one tried to remove them. After a delightful lunch. We have been incredibly lucky with the food until now. Easy and delicious new flavors. Back was only a temple - Angkor Wat. It is impressive in its size. We went a long way in the midst of the worst heat out of the temple itself, but really saw it was all the hardships worthwhile. Overall Angkor area 25% greater than New York. 1000 years ago lived here more than 1 million. humans. The largest city in Europe - Paris - had at that time 20,000 inhabitants. Sophal our guide was really good to talk about all the details. The rest of the afternoon, there was relaxation before the party at. 20. Guests were our "holiday party" plus local friends. Oanh Lee, Elisabeth, my good friend Chhiev, his two children, Sophael and me. We got a lovely gourmet dinner. All enjoyed themselves and there was also an opportunity for a good discussion on policy in Vietnam and Cambodia. Cambodians have on paper more freedoms than the Vietnamese, but what it says on paper, another is everyday reality. It was exciting for us to listen to the differences between especially Oanh and Chhiev. They were not quite agree on who had stopped Pol Pot!
Angkor Wat
Photo Gallery Image fantasy nose against nose
Sunrise Angkor Wat
We were in our seats to watch the sunrise over Angkor Cat pm. 5. It was an unforgettable experience.
Angkor Wat
More about Angkor Wat
Bajontemplet
Input port royal city of Angkor Thom
The large Hindu temple in Angkor
Bajon Temple
Ta Phrom with the big trees
Ta Phrom with the big trees
Ta Phrom with the big trees
Here was elephant fights
Angkor with the steep stairs
Banquet in Siem Reap
Saturday, April 18
Last day in Cambodia. We started with our TukTuk pm. 8. All were fresh Sophael, Oanh Le, Elisabeth and I. We started driving to a memorial for the victims of Pol Pot - called "Killing Fields". Here are built a large temple, inhabited by monks who runs a school. There also live many poor as when they visit Siem Reap can stay here for free. The temple was new and very nice. Then we visited Chhiev and his family. Chhiev has been my guide for many years, but since he was busy Sohpael has been our guide this year. Chhiev has krokodillefarming as a sideline. He has made a small pool to its "breeding crocodiles" and he "broods" even the eggs. The crocodiles are fed until they have a certain size, after which they are sold. There is good money in crocodiles! On the way to the Ton Le Sap lake we visited Sophaels home where we saw her lovely daughter of 1/2 years and had refreshments. The trip out to the lake was exciting. Along the way there were plenty of traditional houses on stilts. Right now the dry season and low tide, but during the rainy season, it is very convenient to the house is on stilts, the water gets everywhere. We had our own boat and sailed out on the lake to visit the floating fishing villages. There was houseboats, skolebåd, kirkebåd, benzinbåd and many other exciting boats. The village we visited was inhabited by people of Vietnamese origin. They have been there for centuries, but the various peoples still live quite separated. In a restaurant boat we got a drink, then went back to Siem Reap. Oanh was to be a day extra so we took her room for a much needed shower. After a light meal we took TukTukker to the airport. After 45 minutes of flight, we were in Vietnam. We are now installed on VyVy hotel in Ho Chi Minh city. Tomorrow comes Doris, Knud, Lissi and Henning.
Pol Pol memorial
To commemorate the victims of Pol Pol
Chhievs home krokodilleæg
Visits Sophals home
Boat trip to the lake Ton Le Sap
Houseboat
School bus