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Published: July 12th 2012
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Ankgor Wat
Just before sunrise When the time came to leave the lovely island of Koh Mak we suddenly realised that we were on a deserted island and our transport options to get to Cambodia were somewhat limited. We took the early morning speed boat back to the mainland and then took the only bus going to cambodia from the pier. We were quoted 600 bhat(£12) to get all the way to Siem Reap which seemed like a really good deal and a bit too good to be true. I have learnt that when something seems too good to be true is SE Asia it probably is....and it was.
As most minivan drivers in Thailand, he seemed to be in a hurry to get there and we were soon told to get off that minibus and get some lunch at a roadside cafe. We were then told that we had to give them our passports and pay an extra $15 for the visa, otherwise we wouldn't be get back on the minibus and cross the border. Even though we knew we were getting scammed we thought we didn't have much option so paid the cash and they took us to passport control at the border.
Angkor Wat
Just after sunrise We then had to complete the visa forms ourselves and then join the queue to get our passports stamped, so we had paid $15 for nothing! After we crossed the border into Cambodia we were then told to wait and get the public bus to Siem Reap which would take another 4 hours. My advice to any other travellers would be; take public buses at all times and not minivans - they may take a little longer but are cheaper and you get a much more authentic travelling experience with the local people. 2. Don't listen to what anybody tells you about not being able to stop at the border, crossing the border and long queues at border control - these are all lies, the forms are quick and easy to complete and there were hardly any queues when we went through. 3. Don't exchange any money at the border as there are plenty of ATM's in Siem Reap, some of which are free to use and dispense US dollars.
Soon we were travelling across the Cambodian countryside and heading to Siem Reap. I could instantly see a change from Thailand and it is quite visible that the country
has had a difficult past. However, Cambodian people are keen to put the past behind them and I was surprised to learn that Cambodia has the fastest growing GDP in SE Asia.
After arriving in Siem Reap quite late, we headed out as we were both hungry keen to try some traditional Cambodian food. We both had the Amok Curry which was beautiful with such delicate flavours. We also enjoyed the local Angkor Beer which was priced at 30 pence a pint!
The next day we got up early at 4am so we could see the Sunrise at Angkor Wat. Our tuk-tuk driver dropped us off in the dark and we walked into the temple and took our places to watch natures natural spectacle rise above one of the oldest buildings on the planet. It was a truly an awe inspiring experience. We then explored Angkor Wat which is huge and the most intact of all the Kymer temples. For the rest of the day our tuk-tuk driver took us on the small tour of the temples; highlights were the Faces of Bayon which was Janes favourite and Ta Phrom which is where the Tomb Raider movie was
filmed. Ta Phrom is an amazing place which was abandoned and then the jungle took over and the the trees and roots grew all around the walls and roof. Most of the temple is in ruin and its great to explore, if a little busy with tourists.
The day after our tuk-tuk driver took us on the big tour of the temples. These temples were further away and we both enjoyed the hour long journey across the cambodian countryside to see how most cambodian people live. The temples were again amazing and we even didn't mind getting hassled by the cute kids who try to sell you their handmade wares for one dollar.They all speak good english and after I said 'maybe' to one cheeky girl she said that Maybe means yes in Cambodian and if I didn't buy something she would cry. I gave her a dollar just because I found it funny. They are only trying to get by and at least they're not begging.
On the third day out tuk-tuk driver agreed to take us to the temple of Beng Mealea. Beng Mealea is about 90km from Siem Reap so it takes about two hours
on a tuk-tuk. We passed some amazing countryside and traditional villages to get there. All the young children we passed on the road side waved and smiled as we went by.
Beng Mealea is the most amazing place. It is quite simliar to Ta Phrom, in the respect that the temple was abandoned and left for hundreds of years and wasn't discovered until recently after the jungle had completely taken over. However it is much bigger than Ta Prohm and because it is so far away from Siem Reap hardly any tourists make the trip, which was great because we had the whole place to ourselves. After walking over a small wooden bridge and ushered through a hole in the wall we found ourselves inside the temple walls. Instantly you can see that the temple is in a total state of ruin and there are trees, vines and ivy intwined between the massive stones. Our guide took us around the temple, scrambling on our hands and knees over the stones and for two hours I finally fulfilled my boyhood Indiana Jones fantasies. I soon realised that you can explore this place at your leisure and can go anywhere you
want, even climbing onto the roof will only bring smiles and nods from the guides. As you walk around the temple you will see groups of local children running above your head, jumping from stones and swinging from vines. It is the ultimate childhood playground and a parents worst nightmare all rolled into one. The whole time I was there I felt like a kid again and Beng Maleea was easily the highlight of all the temples and well worth the trip.
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