Siem Reap and How to do Angkor Wat

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Drove from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap-have been here two days. We stopped at Spidertown on the way-I bought black spider rings to give to the girls selling fried tarantuals-bit hit with all of them. We also have some lovely pictures to share-mostly with live tarantulas crawling on us. No worries-they are defanged, or at least that is what the girls promised.

We visited the war museum (just for you Ed!) and we have some incredible pictures of death machines set in beautiful plumeria trees with butterflies. Kind of describes Cambodia in a nutshell.

Here is our funny story of the day. We wanted to see Angkor Wat at sunset. It is supposedly the most stunning at sunrise but that would require me to get up before 10:00 am. So sunset it was. Our driver takes us out to the Wat, it is free after 5:30 although you can't go in. We were greeted by a monkey but he lost interest when he couldn't smell any food in my backpack. We were trying to sneak around the back to climb up and get some pictures when we were stopped by a security officer. He said to leave. I said in my most sad voice with my most sad face that I could muster "We are so sorry-we only wanted just one picture of sunset at Angkor Wat". He said, "You can leave or pay". I looked at him and said quietly, "Pay you?". He said, "10$ for 2". Steven and I looked at each other and immediately said yes. He made the shh sound with his finger over his mouth and motioned us to follow him. He took us throught the gates that state "Do Not Enter" and we climbed to the top of the middle peak (for those of you that have seen Angkor Wat there are three large peaks-the middle one is the biggest). He then proceeded to have a photo session-this guy knew how to really work the camera and lighting-he took some great pictures! So we sat at the top of Angkor Wat and watched the sunset and our security guard on his radio tell his fellow guards all tourists were out. When we left we walked down the path almost entirely alone.

Back to town, a quick change of clothes as we were drenched in sweat, and had dinner at The Nest. Grey Goose cocktails, three course meal ending with pumpkin custard and mango sticky rice, and service that would rival any restaurant anywhere-all for 45$.

We are loading the car now and driving back to Phnom Penh for our last night before getting on a bus tomorrow for Saigon. Our driver is, shall we say, geographically challenged, english challenged, and a bit Khmer challenged. We bought a Ganesh to keep us safe. Yes, I have resorted to superstition. If you were in the car you would buy one too. 😊

Suzie and Steven

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Photos

On Top of Angkor Wat
Our photo shoot with our guard at Angkor Wat during sunset.

Angkor Wat
Sitting on top of Angkor Wat.

Spidertown
Those are live tartantulas on my shirt-the girls said they were de-fanged. My spider rings were a big hit with the kids and their parents.

Spidertown
Steven with the kids at Spidertown. They sell fresh pineapple, mangos, banana, and of course, fried tarantulas.

Monkey at Angkor Wat
This monkey greeted us as we walked over the river to Angkor Wat. He didn't want anything to do with us because we weren't carrying any food.

Just for you Jilly Jo
A bottle of Kendall Jackson at The Nest in Siem Reap.

Soldier Suzie
This is for you Ed-I fully expect this to become your screensaver.

Wagon of Landmines and UXO
War Museum in Siem Reap-one of the many displays of how mankind kills each other.

Viewmaster
It really works!

War Museum
Tank amid butterfilies and plumeria trees.

Why Everyone Should Visit Cambodia
This little guy was begging for his father who was a landmine victim and also blind. I gave him a spider ring, candy, and some money.

Street Performer
This guy could juggle, swallow swords, and jump through the ring 'o fire.