Last look at Kompong Thom

This is a memorial to the people that stands in the middle of the town. 

This sculpture was also nearby, though I'm not sure of it's significance. I hope you've enjoyed this tour of Kompong Thom, next week it's on the Siem Reap and the famed temples of Angkor Wat. Photos taken in December 2016.

Phnom Penh by night

 

A city always looks different at night, Phnom Penh is no exception.  We drove around this traffic circle both night and day. It shows King Father Norodom Sihanouk, Cambodia's last ruling king. 

We stayed in the popular Beung Keng Kang district, where the bars and restaurants strive to add some color to the night.

The many night markets also help to light up the night. Photos taken in December 2016.

Killing trees

The Khmer Rouge was especially brutal to babies and infants. When mothers with babes in-arms arrived at the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek, their babies were ripped from their arms and slammed against trees like this one. The bodies were then thrown into the mass graves, to be joined later by their parents.

Many visitors leave colorful friendship bracelets as a way to remember the innocents who lived such short lives and died such brutal deaths. Photos taken in December 2016.

Buddhist Stupa

It was a beautiful day when I ventured out to the site of the Killing Fields in Choeung Ek, just outside of Phnom Penh. I'll show you more of this memorial next week. Until then, more beautiful skies can be found at Skywatch. Photo taken in December 2016.

Memorial

In the middle of the courtyard at Tuol Sleng there is a memorial to those who died here.

The marble slabs surrounding the main stupa are inscribed with the names of the victims. A simple, yet fitting way for these people to be remembered. Photos taken in December 2016.

Struggle

Being Europe's biggest and most important port, the city of Rotterdam was almost completely destroyed during WWII. Stronger through Struggle is a reminder of the atrocities of the past, but also gives a hopeful look to the future. More treasures can be found here. Photo taken in May 2016.

Stolpersteine in Wien

Sadly, these "stumbling stones" are found in cities across Europe where Jewish people were deported and then killed in concentration camps. They are a stark reminder of a dark period of history. Photo taken in May 2015.

Moving memorial

This is part of the Monument Against War and Fascism in Vienna. It's quite a moving piece with many element, but I thought this sculpture was especially poignant. You can read more about it here. Photo taken in May 2015.

Shoah Memorial

A look at one of the memorial urns at the Shoah Memorial in Paris. Photo taken in August 2014.