Witnessing The Resilience Of Cambodia That Sheds It's Dark & Gruesome Past

Usually, I do not end up crying on my trips to exotic countries…. usually! But when I was in Cambodia, I was so struck with grief that I had to sit down and compose myself. It was because of the personal story of a victim of the infamous killing fields of Khmer Rouge.

Let me tell you from the beginning. Cambodia is a country with a rich history, but unfortunately, one of its most notorious historical sites is the Killing Fields. Located just outside the capital city of Phnom Penh, the Killing Fields were the site of mass executions during the brutal Khmer Rouge regime in the 1970s. While a visit to the Killing Fields is not a typical tourist attraction, it is a must-see for anyone interested in learning about Cambodia's dark past.

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When you arrive at the Killing Fields, you'll notice a peaceful and serene atmosphere that belies the horrific events that occurred there. A guided audio tour is included in the admission price, which will take you through the site and provide you with all the information you need to understand what happened there.

As you walk through the fields, you'll see several different areas where the Khmer Rouge carried out executions. You'll see the mass graves where victims were buried, and the killing tree where babies were beaten to death before being thrown into a mass grave. It's a sobering experience, and you'll likely be moved to tears by the end of your visit.

I guess now you have understood why I was overcome with emotions. The display of human bones at monuments erected to mark these places where people were brutally murdered, serve as a macabre reminder of the gruesome killings.

One of the most moving parts of the tour is the memorial stupa, which houses the remains of over 8,000 victims. The stupa is a towering structure filled with shelves upon shelves of skulls and bones. As you walk through the stupa, you'll be struck by the sheer number of victims and the cruelty that they suffered.

Despite the sombre mood of the Killing Fields, there is also a sense of hope that pervades the site. Many Cambodians come to the Killing Fields to pay their respects to their loved ones who were killed during the Khmer Rouge regime. It's a testament to the resilience of the Cambodian people that they can come to such a place and find comfort and healing.

A visit to the Killing Fields is a powerful and emotional experience that will stay with you long after you leave. While it's not an easy trip to make, it's an important one for anyone who wants to learn about Cambodia's history and the atrocities that were committed there. I would also suggest you read up a little bit on the tragic history of the country so that you appreciate the resilience of the Cambodian people.