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After busking in the conventional side of Siem Reap, we ventured into the side of it that not many people see -  the dark and tragic side of Cambodia. In 1975, the Khmer Rouge Regime took over the entire country, killing over 2 million people and destroying the homes of many others. Up to this day, I could still see the impact of the civil war in Cambodia, through the eyes of the young generation.

Chong Krea floating village,Tonle Sap lake

On the Cambodian’s end of the Mekong River, lies Asia’s biggest lake that spans an area of 16,000 sq km. It almost looks more like the sea than a river, with its endless horizon. A boat ride through the narrow delta gave us a glimpse of the Chong Krea people who lived along the bank of the Mekong River, risking their lives everyday as they famous the danger of drowning and seasnakes.

Our boating guide Visa (he named himself after the credit card) told us about the difficulties growing up in this floating village as a boy. The dangers of poisonous seasnakes, landmines along the banks and drowning in the murky waters – he said nobody liked living there, but they had no choice – it was too expensive to live inland.

He then pointed out a floating grocery shop to us-  a boat filled to the brim with assortments of food, and other necessities. Then a floating barber, and a fishing farm, and even a floating school.

We asked if we could visit the school, and after buying some stationery from the floating shop, we went aboard the tiny school. It was a school transformed from a boat, at least 25 students were squeezed in the classroom, and 2 elderly teachers were volunteering there. A genuine peek into the lives of the Chong Krea people who are deeply in need for better education, sanitation and living standard.

The War Museum – a walk into Cambodia’s past

It was here where we met Noy, and how I took the first step into Cambodia’s tragic past. Noy was born during the civil war, in 1979. Noy showed us rows of machine guns, AK 47, and grenades that the Chinese and Russian Governments had supported the war with.

"When I was very young, I went out to the fields to play with my friends. I found this metallic box in the grass, didn’t know what it was, and pulled the trigger. It exploded, and I hurt my eye, I can only see 80% now. I also lost 3 fingers."

To see Noy breaking down into tears as he talked about the past – how he dodged bullets as a kid, and how a mine he found had almost taken his life, was heart-wrenching. As he spoke, he was choking, fighting back tears. It hurt to see him being haunted by the past, and yet, I was unknowingly sucked into his world. Those words still stay clear in my mind and this was probably the deepest impact Cambodia had on me. 

I wrote an article on my entire encounter with Noy. Read my full article on Bootsnall here.

The consequences of war are permanent, painful and can never be erased. Generations after generations of Cambodians will suffer for what their predecessors did. If only we can learn from the lessons in the past and build a better future for more generations after. If only…

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Related posts:

• Khmer Temples, Art & Food – Siem Reap, Cambodia
• Angkor Wat by Night
• Bootsnall Article: Threading the Path into the Past – Siem Reap, Cambodia
• Cambodia Gallery on WildJunket