URBAN DOMAIN 2024

Vietnam Grey – Day 16

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Our last full day in Vietnam

Was nothing short of a charm

An early rise to start the day

The final time together as Vietnam Grey

 

Our trip to the Mausoleum was grand

Even though we didn’t get to see Ho Chi Minh as planned

We saw the presidential palace along with Mr.Minh’s home

And gained lots of information we had not known

 

We next headed to our last chosen lunch

With smiling faces down to the final crunch

Off to the embassy we went

Where our questions were answered with our time well spent

 

Eager to go shopping there was still more to do

A short tour around the old quarter a due

We hit the streets in groups of four

All we wanted to do was buy some more

 

The day concluded with a plentiful dinner

Leaving our stomachs no thinner

But now it’s time to go to bed

Knowing that this poem is better than Vietnam Red

  
  
 
  
  

  

  


  

Vietnam Yellow – Final days in Nam

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After a very busy day on and returning from the Mekong river, we look forward to the great race tomorrow morning around Ho Chi Minh City. 

Following the race and prior to departing for the airport, we will head to a remote orphanage to interact with and assist in daily activities for some of Vietnam’s most unfortunate children. 

Final day posts will be made from the airport. Stay tuned! 

TLC Pagodas – Day 15 – Siam Reap to Phnom Penh 

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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





TLC Temples – Day 16

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Our busy afternoon ended with us lounging in plastic chairs overlooking the glorious lights of Phenom Penh from our position atop a boat on the Mekong. The light breeze and peaceful lapping waves were yet another reminder of how truly lucky we are. None of us thought that such a peaceful end could come to such a emotionally taxing day.

It started with a trip to see one of the Killing Fields, where the Khmer Rouge took the former inhabitants of its prisons to execute and bury them in mass graves. Through the personal story of our guide (Mr Lucky) our attention instantly turned from what we were going to buy at the market later that day, to the enormity of his words and of what had occurred in the recent history of this country. His description of his family’s background, ultimately put the brutality and senselessness of the Khmer Rouge into context for all of us. As we wandered on the bridges between the resting sites of the murdered Khmer people, a rain was collecting in small pools of water reminding us how easily their stories could have been washed away. The tree stood alongside one of the graves, covered by an array of colourful bracelets, each signifying a single child’s life lost to the Khmer Rouge soldiers. A large monument stood before the entrance, and its 17 tiers of skulls and bones loomed within it, a thousand empty eyes watching us and reminding us to never forget the acts performed by this cruel regime. The reality of what really happened here 37 years ago really struck home, when we gazed up at this monument. 

After further contemplation about Pol Pot and his regime of genocide while on the bus ride to Tuol Sleng Prison, most of us ended up with more questions than we initially started off with before the day had even begun. How can one individual hold so much power? How did an event so significant get buried under only a few years of history? How is it that the world took little notice or action?

With these questions still in mind, we began to explore the grounds of one of the biggest Khmer Rouge prisons. At one point, the sweet fragrance of fresh frangipanis captured our attention and brought it to a place far more serene. It was as if the trees were planted there to mask the atrocities that had occurred in the prison grounds. This sweet smell was quickly replaced however by the musty odour permeating through the prison blocks. Walking among the haunting faces of the tortured Khmer people displayed in the photographs in the museum, the scale of the genocide resonated with us. We were able to meet two of eleven survivors of this prison. They are both in their eighties but they still sit within the prison grounds each day to tell their story to anyone who is willing to listen. We left the prison in shock at what we had seen and at the events that had taken place in the heart of this city.

We finished the day with a market trip, boat ride and casual ‘family’ dinner, all in a pleasant but stark contrast to the days earlier events. Today was a day that none of us will forget, with many of the group vowing to take more action against injustice and to make positive changes for our global future. When we arrived back at the hotel, Billy informed us that tomorrow we will be attending the last day of the Khmer Rouge trials. These trials are being undertaken by the UN to hold members of the Khmer Rouge accountable for their actions and tomorrow, two of the higher ranking Khmer Rouge are due to hear the verdict of their appeals. This was a surprising end to the day, and will make our last day of our Big Experience that much more memorable. It also made going to bed early on our final night of the Big Experience a bit easier to accept!

By Laura and Moira.

China- Day 15

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We began today with a well deserved and much wanted sleep in, and then headed down to a buffet breakfast at the hotel restaurant. The group then rugged up, as we ventured out yet again into negative temperatures. 
Our first stop was the National Museum of China, which is located next to Tiananmen Square. After a thorough search and patting down, typical of Chinese security, we were relieved to escape the cold. Our goal at the museum, other than to understand more about the history and culture of China, was to find the oldest object in the museum. After an hour and a half of searching, some people had found objects up to 2 million years old. In our small group of five students we looked at 19th century artworks, Chinese pottery and ancient relics. We also spent a decent amount of time at the gift shop, deciding whether or not to buy the 5600 yuan plate. While exploring the museum, it was impossible to ignore its massive size. This museum, being the biggest in China, was comparable to a labyrinth. Similarly, it was impossible to ignore the vending machine tempting us with its various unrecognisable Chinese beverages. Our group decided to give some of the iced tea a try, each selecting a different flavour. Whilst some members enjoyed the drink, and others stomached the drink, Some refused to finish it and instead bought a Fanta to wash away the taste. Overall, the students were given free reign to explore the museum and we enjoyed the experience while learning more about Chinese history.
Next stop was the Forbidden City, which was situated on a different side of Tiananmen Square. This “city” was home to many of the emperors over various dynasties throughout Chinese history. While it was technically a palace, the Forbidden City is likened to a city due to its sheer scale. The multitude of buildings located inside were mainly constructed with timber, and the architecture was dominated by bright reds and yellows. Through the stories told by the tour guides, we were able to envision what the city would have been like back in the day. After exiting the Forbidden City, we travelled up to Coal Hill, renamed “cold hill” by Mrs Marshall, to see a stunning view of both the palace and Beijing from above. 
As a finale to the day, and in some ways to the whole trip, we were whisked away to an outstanding acrobatic performance. While we couldn’t understand the introduction at the start, our jaws dropped as the amazing and terrifying stunts began to unfold. Despite the incredible contortionist, flips and balancing acts, the highlight has to be the “globe of death”. This stunt involves a hollow ball, in which motorcyclists do loops every way possible. At one stage, I remember telling Luke that “they always go up to 3 riders”, knowing that he would expect no more than the current two. It was to my surprise, along with everyone else’s, that by the end there was five riders in the globe at one time. 
Despite the freezing temperature and icy winds, today was jam packed full of interesting activities and was certainly one of the most memorable days of the trip.
By Luke R and Ted.