Five Countries, Four Weeks Pt.8 "Phnom Penh Rockets"

The next day in Siem Reap was a blur, we needed to switch hotels, go to Siem Reap War Museum and then go see as much of Angkor Wat as we could before it closed. We only had an hour or so at Angkor Wat but nonetheless it was quite spectacular. Nature and history literally intertwined into many ancient sculptures that were created by nature’s own willingness to thrive on. Although Cambodia did not have an observation tower that we were able to add to our list, we were more than satisfied with walking through and appreciate the beautiful carvings on literally every surface of Angkor Wat’s stone structures. Our next day was the beginning of the boat trip down the Mekong River to Phnom Penh.

Ho Chi Minh was our next destination from Phnom Penh. We had a couple days here as none of us were too enthused by the “city” life of Siem Reap, but we were pleasantly surprised after we learned of how much friendlier Phnom Penh was. Yes, obviously there were still tourist trappers and folks looking for money, but that is everywhere one goes. Phnom Penh was the place that Kyle and I were able to fire rockets along with some other hard to find hardware at a fairly reasonable price. Cambodiashooting.com was able to help us with this part of the trip because originally we decided not to complete this goal in Asia. The reason we had decided against the completion of this goal was for the reason that apparently most tour guides into the military ranges were going to coerce tourists into paying extra money to fire rounds at a living cow. Not, a dead cow, not a fake cow, not even a lame cow, just, a living cow. Quite sad we thought, as does Steven Lache from Cambodiashooting.com which is why (as someone can see in his Youtube videos) he offers a much better and less graphic experience.

Phnom Penh not only allowed us to fire RPG’s but it also led us to the discovery of “The Spider Restaurant”, this is where one can find an array of dishes featuring baked, or fried tarantulas. The restaurant was coincidentally next to an important historical museum. The re-education centre from Pol Pot’s reign (Tuol Sleng Genocide War Museum); this place was hauntingly graphic and quite revealing in terms of history we don’t really hear about in the west. Phnom Penh is a light and vibrant city centre, but like the night, centre parts are shrouded helplessly in darkness. The Killing Fields was a place where every tourist goes but knows they should not be when they are there. Before people enter, there are warnings and reminders to leave things as they are and be respectful. At the beginning it feels as saddening and strange as most terrifying museums are supposed to be, at the point to which a person begins walking around the perimeter of the museum grounds, and realizes that there are actual fragments and sometimes even teeth beneath their feet. “No Kyle, that is not a pebble you just pulled from the sole of your shoe...”

On a lighter note, after a long day in Phnom Penh what better activity to do than go and order oneself some “Happy Pizza” or if one had a really long day, maybe even “Super Happy Pizza”. There are a few “Happy Pizza” restaurants that are located along the river not far from the “One Stop Hostel”. A long day and fun night come to a conclusion once we arrive back to the hostel and pack up for the afternoon sleeper bus to Ho Chi Minh, about two days left until Spring Festival Celebration.