Siem Reap really proved to be something of a surprise factor. Here was me expecting a simple means to visiting Angkor Wat when in actual fact what it turned out to be was the best place we've been to so far.

I could've been there another week and not batted an eyelid.

As I've said though, the reason for Siem Reap's growth and status as an excellent backpacker town is Angkor Wat- widely recognised as one of the wonders of the world.

[Lecture time] Angkor Wat is a 12th century temple complex built for King Suryavarman II. It served as the capital at the time and is the symbol of Cambodia. It's on currency, the flag, postcards, road signs etc etc

To say it is stunning is doing it a major disservice. Pictures have been uploaded to the previous blog entry which make some attempt at displaying how good it is but no amount of photography skills nor expensive equipment can bring it to life like a real-life sighting can. So go and see it!

However, as seems to be the case so often in South-East Asia, the beautiful turns into the bizarre seemingly in an instant.

There's no getting around the fact that Angkor, as stunning as it is, is a major trap for tourists. This isn't always a bad thing though, there's a large number of children touts around each temple site selling anything from bracelets to books to flutes but rather than a short, sharp "NO" try giving them a different answer and see the responses.

I answered 'I don't have any money' The answer was 'I don't believe you'.
I answered 'I can't read' The answer was 'I have picture books'.
I answered 'I don't want it' The answer was 'you're gay'...

Maybe a short, sharp NO is the way forward after all...

On the subject of bizarre behaviour. We decided one day to visit a 'Shopping Center'. Upon arrival through the entrance we were greeted by two very pleasant Cambodian women. "How nice" I thought...we then walked into the main shopping area and the lights were off. When realising two western customers were here the lights suddenly came on and shop assistants suddenly woke up from sleeping on their check-outs. Talk about an economical way to run a business - Only use electricity when there's a chance of a sale and let the employees live there for free! Brilliant.

Phnom Penh is the next item on the agenda while we wait for our Vietnamese Visa. So expect a new depressive post about The Killing Fields and the Genocide Museum soon...

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