Author: nburke

The last three weeks have been an adventurous, amazing, enjoyable, extraordinary, interactive, exhilarating, exciting, unforgettable, great, lit, fun, life-changing, unpredictable, unimaginable, eye-opening, perfect, colourful, defying, interesting, challenging, motivating, all-g, roller-coaster, interesting, memorable, mesmerising, radical, love, tiring and mind-blowing (their 30 words, not ours) experience. (We’re also surprised they didn’t choose emojis for their choices)
We have had a fantastic two and a half weeks with these thirty great people, and although we are glad to be touching home in less than a day, we are also sad to go and leave this experience behind us. But knowing that our group has had one of the best experiences of their lives, we can happily go knowing that not only have we all had an amazing experience, but we have made a strong impression behind us and left a memory on people and places across South East Asia.

In the eighteen days that we have had our Pagodas with us, we have bounced from city to city, landmark to landmark, and village to village, learning about everything from the Social aspects of cultures, Historical places in each country, Economic struggles and growth, Environmental issues and curiosities, and Political changes that have happened over time. Learning came fast and quick, and so did our questions. We couldn’t be prouder of the way the Pagodas respected the local cultures, and gleamed knowledge from every aspect of the environs that we interacted with. In the speedy mix of day to day life in South East Asia, we could swear some of our crew couldn’t be more at home, conversing with the locals, purchasing things with their refined bargaining skills, and eating like a life long resident of wherever we stayed. 

It’s been an intense, energetic, and revealing (our three words, not theirs) time, and I hope they got as much out of this Big Experience as we did! We hope you have had a great time reading these blogs, and that you have a lot to to say to anyone who was part of the 2016 TLC Pagodas trip. Thanks to everyone involved, especially our tour guide Hung and our translators, Chan, Yen, Mr.O and Someth and let’s hope this experience lasts with all of us forever.

Norm Burke, one third of the three amigos, with Ash Wood and Bel Southey

We woke up and got informed by our resident history expert, Mr. Wood about our emotional day out at the Tuol Sleng Prison and the Killing Fields, as well as the Khmer Rouge, which most of us in the group had never heard of before today. It was a confronting experience to see all the faces of the prisoners on the wall who had been put through such severe conditions. We also saw the cells in which the prisoners were kept in and the beds on which they were brutally tortured. Walking through this somber environment was just the tip of what would be experienced by the Khmer people who suffered under this regime. What made this trip today even more distinct was the fact that while we were walking through the prison a trial was being held for Duch, one of the main culprits who was part of committing these major war crimes.
The Killing Fields was a wake up call to the tragic modern history of Cambodia. Whilst walking through this environment, our emotions were crippled and the scenes were intense. When walking through the actual Killing Fields we saw unsettling scenery, of bones and teeth still in the ground from 40 years ago. The Pagoda in the middle of the complex was filled to the top with skulls and bones from the victims, as well as the weapons used to torture and execute anyone who opposed the Regime. Walking around the massed graves gave us a sense to how many people were murdered. While walking through the fields, we could imagine the actual scenes as almost everything was kept untouched. We also learnt about the leaders of the Regime and what they did to the Cambodian people. After a few minutes of reflection we headed of to lunch, the bus ride was one of the most quiet bus rides of the trip, most people were still getting their heads around what we as a group just witnessed.

 After lunch we headed off to the Russian Markets. We got into small groups and went shopping for goods. It was hard to walk in with other people and it was also hot and stuffy. They sold all sort of things, from fruit and clothes to motorcycle parts. Some of us bought gifts for people at home while some bought miniature bicycles for themselves. Some of us saw the other TLC group and some of them bought shoes, clothes and stuff. It felt like we were right in the guts of Cambodia, it felt real due to the smell, the people and the food. 

After an hour at the market, the group went on a boat ferry along the Bassac river and watched the sun set over the city of Phnom Penh. It was a nice mellow way to end the big experience. We saw a lot of sights including the riverside lights, the banks of the Bassac, and the Cham people who live along the river side. It was a good way to relax and recover from an emotional day. We then docked and headed out for dinner at an eco-restaurant, had a nice meal and then headed back to the hotel for our last sleep of our journey.

Audrey, Elissa, and James H

We woke up to the sound of our alarms at 7:00 to get prepared for our 8 hour bus trip from Siem reap to Phnom Penh. Our tour guide, Mr O (he said his name was too long to pronounce) gave us a brief history of the capital city of Cambodia. On the way to Phnom Penh, we made a detour to a market where some of us decided to try some of the local cuisine of tarantulas and other deep-fried insects. This experience was quite confronting for some as its not a regular occurrence in Australia.
We then got back on the bus and continued our journey to Phnom Penh, were we checked in to the hotel and got chill for a bit before heading out in groups for a walk around the capital city where some of us got to dance at a local dance class were anyone walking past could join, some did a bit of shopping and some had some pre-dinner ice cream. 
After dinner (and some post-dinner ice cream), we set off in our tuk tuks for a competitive tour around the capital city where we got to experience some of the culture of the night life of Phnom Penh, briefly look at some of the landmarks and have insight into the lives of the citizens of this city. After the tuk tuk tour, we were dropped back the the hotel and are all intrigued about the encounter we will get to experience tomorrow.

Alex C and Alyssa P

Today we were lucky to have a bit of a sleep in with everyone waking up excited to visit Angkor Wat, one of the major areas of interest in the Pagodas team. Even with the hottest day we’ve had so far this trip, we visited three temples that looked like a stunning movie set and one temple actually being a movie set! Most of us explored the temples in small groups, but a few of us chose to walk around on our own as we then got more of a chance to take photos and take in the ancient structures. Although a lot of us felt affected by the heat, we still managed to stay positive and focused on taking home a good experience at the Angkor Wat Temples. 

First of all, we visited the more historical side of the Wats by exploring Bayon Temple. Even with the restoration projects happening, we walked through narrow areas and up steep staircases covered with moss, and we got a bit lost while walking through what seemed to be a maze. The size of the temple felt overwhelming as there was so much to see and explore, so we didn’t get the chance to cover every corner of the ancient ruins. There were so many tourist groups especially at Angkor Wat, all keen to learn about the history of the temples. 

At Ta Promh, the second temple we visited, the relationship between nature and mankind was magnificent to see. From tree roots growing up against the walls of the temple, to insects crawling between rocks, the nature was definitely the highlight of the historic monument. The temple was also a set for the movie Tomb Raider which lots of people coming to the temple to see a Hollywood set instead of taking in the nature and beauty of what was happening around themselves. It was an interesting place with it being a Hindu temple in a country that mostly practices Buddhism. After walking around for two hours and taking in all the sights, we all headed to lunch being exhausted from walking around in the sun for a this time. 

After a nice refreshing drink and a big meal we wandered around Angkor Wat – the biggest temple of the grounds by far. Angkor Wat was a lot larger and busier than the other two temples, where we got the chance to experience one of the great wonders of the world. While walking through the Wat, we saw monkeys on the roof and even got the chance to take some photos of them. We took some time out to stroll through the gardens and appreciate the atmosphere. After finishing up at the temples, we took a bus back to the hotel to freshen up and get ready for yet another night at the markets.  With that we split off into groups and strolled around the vibrant city of Siem Reap for the last time before heading off on a long bus ride to Phnom Penh tomorrow. 

Yasmin and Adrian

Kampuchea house was definitely one of the groups most emotional but amazing experiences we have had on the trip. We first met Belinda at the house and she explained to us what the function of the project and the people who work and volunteer there is. As the kids crowded around us we soon realised that we were about to make their day. We played footy, badminton, volleyball and soccer with the children, just to name a few activities. The kids were so happy even though in their past, they had been through so much emotionally. After we spent a few hours bonding and playing with the Kampuchea House kids we presented the girls with hygiene packs and the house, money, which we had from our fundraising walkathon. After we left, we hopped on the bus. it was moving and extremely sad, saying goodbye to our new friends that we felt we had known for a long time. On the bus to lunch, it was the quietest 30 teenagers have ever been. After our trip to Kampuchea house we were all filled with a sense of wanting to know more about the volunteering programs around South East Asia and the chance we have been given.
We stopped at a restaurant nearby for a genuine authentic Khmer lunch, which most people really loved. After lunch, we headed off to see the life of school kids in Cambodia. Heading off the bus we were welcomed by the children standing in rows as we entered the centre of the school. We got the lucky opportunity to watch a performance by some of the talented students and then were split up into groups. My group and I had the challenge of teaching the younger kids who had minimal to no English. Other groups played sports or attempted teaching students English skills. Although it was challenging, it was an amazing experience to see the classrooms that these children work in and to encounter how grateful they all are for the education that they are given. By the end of our visit to the school house we handed over the gifts which were stationary that the school really appreciated and said our goodbyes before heading back to the hotel.

At the night markets tonight we went to the corner restaurant to enjoy a well earned and quickly devoured meal. After all plates where licked clean we left the restaurant to embrace the night life – as the streets were buzzing with culture, we headed off in groups of 3 or more to spend our parents money. I was surprised to find how confident the tuktuk drivers are in approaching us and offering us lifts and things – often walking around the market doing so. This was a bit shocking as I don’t experience this back at home. The night soon came to an end but we all had a lot of fun and I’m excited for Wat’s to come in the future.

Anna K Maddi S and Elliott H