Author: dtoohey

Today was energized by a delicious open air breakfast overlooking the stunning mountains and flowing river. We were ecstatic not to be on the bus and to be in such wonderful surroundings. Our adventure began by selecting bikes, preferably with brakes that work, but sometimes we had to compromise. We set off on our bike ride along some rocky roads and steep hills. When we arrived at the caves we first had to cross an unstable bridge and climb many stairs causing pain and stress. We felt accomplished when we reached the top and were ready to explore the caves. We continued our bike ride to a light lunch before getting into the kayaks. The relaxing journey and tranquil surroundings as we drifted down the river was shortly interrupted by splashing wars and capsizing. The day came to an end with a peaceful stroll through the village streets and some free time after a jam-packed day.

While walking through the streets and observing other tourists we noticed the difference in the way that they travel. We have tried to wear more conservative clothing than we would normally in Australia in order to show respect for the local culture. Other travelers though, seem to take less consideration of this. This could have a negative impact on tourist sites because of disrespectful behavior. Tourism, on the other hand, has a positive impact on the economy of the countries we have traveled to and without it these areas would be poorer and more underdeveloped.

Lucinda Pezzimenti and Madi Rechner

So… leaving Cambodia was very sad because of all the amazing places and experiences we had with the beautiful Khmer people. The two days coming up to the flight to Laos were very chilled back, with lots of swimming in Kep and exploring the French ruins in Bokor National Park, but even then we were given free time to roam around the casino ruins and really reflect on the killing fields. Then on the day we were due to leave Cambodia, we needed to take a three and a half hour bus ride back to Phnom Penh. When we got to the airport we had to wait an hour and twenty minutes to check in our baggage, before leaving later on the our flight.

Landing in Laos was quiet exciting considering the fact that everyone has been so focused on Cambodia. But when we all walked out of the baggage claim in Vientiane and seeing the big banner that said “group St Leonard’s” with our new tour guide, Mr Joy standing in front of it with the biggest smile on his face. When we got on the bus and headed towards the hotel, it was very dark and we couldn’t see a lot of the beautiful country that is Laos.  Waking up in the hotel and opening up our curtains we got our first glimpse of Laos. We then hopped back on the magnificent bus to take a short site seeing trip around the city. We saw the 18^th century temple of Wat Si Saket, where the group took part in a ritual, which involved walking around the temple 3 times while holding an orange flower and incense. It was a great experience to take part in the ritual. We then all continued onto the Independence Victory gate, which we climbed with great determination to the top and had a 360 birds eye view of Vientiane, the capital city. Then it was back on the fabulous bus for a 4 hour trip to Vangvieng, a small town that is very popular with tourist.

Looking at the two counties in comparison to each other, Laos seems like a more stable and cleaner country. It seems like this not only because the people are more organised in their way of doing things, but more care is taken of the environment and how the land is used. In contrast, Cambodia is a country that has suffered multiple wars and this has impacted on the country more strongly. We are all doing well and really looking forward to what tomorrow holds for us.

Holly Huljak and Felix Drescher

The Temples have arrived in Laos, Vientiane. After a massive day of travel we arrived around 8 pm and have settled into the hotel for a massive day tomorrow.

Stay tuned for an in depth blog from our next stop on our journey

Temples

 

 

 

 

Today, our 9^th day into our Big Experience, was our last day in Cambodia – and all of us are tired after the exciting events of the trip so far. The day was filled with relaxing activities all around, with some early sightseeing leading into a laid back afternoon in the town of Kep, perfect for recharging our batteries for our entry into the new unknown land of Laos.

An hour long bus ride out of Kampot took us to the peaks of Bokor mountain range, a location featuring a number of historical French colonial buildings, dating back as far as the late 19^th century. First up was the Black Palace, a retreat built for the Khmer king to escape the intense heat of the Cambodian climate, reminding us slightly of the Dandenong’s back home. Stepping out of the bus, the cold refreshing air was a welcome change from the humid air we’ve become accustomed to – it was immediately clear why this place was picked for a holiday retreat. Following our stop there, we travelled a bit further into the mountain range to a short stop at an abandoned French church. The highlight of our adventure into the Bokor mountain range was a derelict, abandoned French casino. We stopped here for lunch, brushing shoulders with the clouds, and took the time out to reflect on our experiences in our journey so far.

The journey so far has been unlike any regular tourist travel. Experiencing a much more in-depth understanding of the Cambodian world has, at times been challenging and sleeping in a different place each night has kept us constantly busy. However, even though we are consistently on the move, we keep a positive outlook as we know the rewards of this special experience is one that will be carried with us for the rest of our lives!

Shani Mitchell and Jake McCauley

Following the intense emotional outing yesterday, it was very nice to conclude the day with two relaxing experiences: novelty shopping in the Russian Market and a romantic boat cruise as the sun set.

The next morning, Sunday, we visited the Presidential Palace – the crown jewel of Phnom Penh surrounded by the capital’s residents going about their daily life.

Contrasting this a kilometer or two away, the next site on our agenda was the slums of Phnom Pehn, home to three times the many impoverished families it was designed to hold. We then took a 4 hour bus ride to Kampot where we checked into the hotel, and took a sensational tuk-tuk ride to our scrumptious dinner.

Whilst visiting the slums we were exposed to the outrageous wealth gap between those who control power and those who are subject to it. In attempt to cover up the ugly poverty of the city, the government has erected a large, exquisite hotel to block the view and smell of the run down slums. The presidential palace, a mere 7 minute bus drive away juxtaposed the wealth of Cambodia compared to the majority of the country who can only afford at least basic living standards This is a result of the poor care by the country of its citizens due to corruption. Another example of this was when we took the boat cruise and watched families living in their boats on the Mekong River, with the newest 5 star hotel in the backdrop. These events today have given us an entirely new outlook on our privileged life and how we live it. Our quality of life is so high compared to everywhere we have been (maybe with the exception of the palace) and we are so lucky to have been born into such an affluent life and should take time to be grateful and appreciative of this.

Declan Fode & Adele Evans

An emotionally draining day has passed today on the Big Experience. The Temples began the day by visiting the ominously named “Killing Fields”, which were located a couple of kilometers outside of the capital city, Phnom Penh. As we entered the fields, we were confronted by disturbing history of the people who set up Killing Fields: the Khmer Rouge, a communist faction that ruled over Cambodia from 1975 until they were overthrown in 1979. The paths in the Killing Fields were studded with the bones of victims of the Khmer Rouge’s purges. The people that were executed during these purges were people who were considered to be enemies of the state according the political philosophy of Pol Pot, even though they were usually just innocent people trying to live their lives. The types of people usually targeted by Khmer Rouge included educators, intellectuals, doctors, lawyers and people wearing glasses (considered wealthy, as they could afford them). The purpose of these purges was to remove all of the people from society who were considered to be corrupt, impure or immoral by Pol Pot, and would ultimately get in the way of his goal of setting Cambodia back to year zero, a state in which the society would go back to its roots, before it had the corruptions that Pol Pot so hated and be able to start over again.

It is interesting and in a way disgusting to think that although all this carnage and genocide happened a mere 40 years ago, many of us had never even heard the term “Khmer Rouge” or even the name Pol Pot. We had never heard of the three million people who were killed by the Khmer Rouge or the millions of others who were forced out of their homes in the cities, or the thousands of children who were forced to become Cadres (Child soldiers under the regime) and were made to kill friends and even members of their own families.

We asked our tour guide, Mr. Lucky (named so because he was born just after the fall of the regime and was lucky to not have to be a part of the aforementioned horrors), why the people who were involved in the regime were not all thrown in jail for their participation in the atrocities? He responded by saying that “The is no Jail in Cambodia big enough to hold everyone involved with the regime, seeing as millions of people (including children) were forced to join the regime, we must simply forgive, but NEVER forget”. It makes us think about how in Australia, we seemed to have now forgiven our forebears for having commited a similar atrocity against the indigenous peoples of our country. In Australia, enough time has passed that can talk openly about the aforementioned atrocities and reflect on who we are as Australians, our values and what we consider to be right and wrong. However, for the people of Cambodia the events were so recent, so brutal and on such a massive scale that the entire nations suffers from a type of post-traumatic stress disorder. It is extremely difficult for us, as young Australians to comprehend the psychology of it all. We meet people who talk casually about seeing their wives head get cut off and weeping whilst telling us, but then say that they had only four months ago had dinner with the man who had performed the execution.

In conclusion, these sites and facts have made us realise how lucky we are to be born in this stable time in this prosperous and peaceful country!

By Alexander Saccasan and Hannah Carroll