I saw a sign for Killin Caves at the bottom of the mountain. I didn’t think much of it. I thought it was just a name – something like Kulen Mountain.

When we get to the top we realize it’s the Killing Caves.  A sight of executions by the Khmer Rouge.  If you don’t know, here is some info on the Communist Khmer Rouge, which carried out genocide on its own people in the 70’s.

Cambodian Genocide
Khmer Rouge

I heard an American living in Siem Reap say that she didn’t know anything about the genocide until she got to Cambodia.  That was a bit shocking to me

This was once a Khmer Rouge prison – prisons were typically temporary holding places before execution.

Path down to the cave.

There are over 20,000 mass graves in Cambodia. Millions died by “unnatural” causes and estimates as high as over 1 million were executed.  Less than 10 people have been prosecuted for war crimes.

Beautiful views from a place with an ugly history.