The Killing Fields At Choeung Ek

I ate lunch at a pleasant restaurant directly across from S-21, and headed out of town on the dusty, dirty, pollution-choked road to the killing field at Choeung Ek. All but about seven of the 10,000+ prisoners that passed through S-21 were killed. Some died from the torture, beatings, disease, or malnutrition, while most were hauled off to Choeung Ek for straightforward execution.

It was a moving site, and bigger than the ones I saw around Battambang, but no more powerful.

I made an offering of flowers and incense at the stupa which was filled with thousands of skulls and bones.

It was sobering to see the holes in the Earth – excavated mass graves.

On the dirt paths, you could see human bones sticking out.

I joined 2 Australian guys on a tour as there were no more guides available. The guide was blunt. I wasn't sure if he relives personal experiences every day working in such an environment, just doesn't know much English, or talks that way for effect. Regardless, I was glad to have already had a more personal experience beforehand with Phi-lay.

Dave Lee

Dave is the Founder and Editor in Chief of Go Backpacking and Feastio. He's been to 66 countries and lived in Colombia and Peru. Read the full story of how he became a travel blogger.