14th AUGUST 2019 ~ Visiting Cheoung Ek was like visiting a graveyard, but this one had a story that we sane people would always pray history would never repeat itself. There were pieces of bones being displayed in glass boxes after they were excavated.
This large area was where the huge graves which contained human body parts were dug.
The Khmer Rouge communist regime killed the innocent children and babies because the believed these young souls would avenge for their parents against the government when they grew older.
Babies would be brought here and they simply smashed them against the tree bark. When this place was discovered after Pol Pot was toppled down from power, people found bits and pieces of skin, meat and brain still stuck on the tree trunk. How people could have the heart to such thing to the infants is beyond imagination.
In one of the graves, bodies without heads were found.
The stupa which was also the landmark of Cheoung Ek was visited last. Here, bones and skeletons as well as other items like the victims clothes and the tools that were used to kill the innocent people were displayed. They were put according to different categories like age and gender in seven tiers glass panel.
I must admit that it was quite spooky to be there, especially when I was the only one in the building (I found a side door not locked). However, looking at the skulls, you could feel the helplessness, agony and sadness, all mixed. And people went there to pay respect to those who had become the victims of heartless and evil people who became worse than animals because of power.
I left Cheoung Ek with mixed emotions. This place was not just a graveyard but it was a place which told the ugly story of mankind.
And I am thankful with the life I have. Very.
And I am thankful with the life I have. Very.
Read about my visit to the Killing Field in Siem Reap HERE.
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