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Published: July 16th 2013
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We finally left Thailand to make a quick side trip to Cambodia to see the famous Angkor Wat. I figured we were too close not to go and see the world's largest religious site.
Anyway, the decision was made to take the third class train to the border mainly because it was inexpensive. It was nice to ride the train with the windows down and air blowing in but when the train slowed down the heat could be a bit unbearable. Plus, the train picked up passengers along the way and it could get very cramped at certain times during the ride with so many people squashed inside. I was happy once the six (+) hour ride ended. We shared a tuk-tuk with a couple to the border and went through immigration. I was so proud of myself for not getting pulled into the scams at the border and only paid the $20 visa fee with no other extra fees attached. Just the way it should be..........., but I did get taken by the taxi cartel. I shared a taxi with another couple to Siem Reap which was to get us all the way to our designated hotels. Once in
Angkor Wat
Outer area. Siem Reap, the taxi driver dropped us off at a location where a tuk tuk would take us to our final destination. When the taxi left, we were told that we must pay for the same tuk tuk to take us to Angkor Wat the next day. I refused and then the tuk tuk would not take us to our hotel. I was so upset because that was already paid for through the taxi driver. I chose not to mess with them anymore and we walked to find a hotel since the hotel we were going to stay at was too far away. We found a fabulous hotel that cost $15 a night which included breakfast, a swimming pool, and WIFI. It was great!
The next day, we chose to relax by the pool and save Angkor Wat for the following day. We spent time looking around the city and shopping at the night bazaar. Unfortunately, there are many children out begging for money at all hours of the day, but especially at night. One girl approached me with a small baby in her arms. I figured she was too young to be the mother and she asked for
money to buy her sister milk. I did not want to give money to her and tried to walk away but she had grabbed my shirt and would not let go. I kept telling the girl no but she would not let me go. Finally, I firmly told her no for the hundreth time and she grabbed my side and pinched me hard before walking on. I was shocked by her bold move but then I felt bad that she was placed in that position by her family. It was sad.
I had arranged for a tuk tuk to pick us up the next day to take us to Angkor Wat. We had a great time visiting all of the temples within and I over-did it on the photos. On the way back, I felt something blow into my right eye, but did not think much of it. By 6:00 pm that night, I was miserable and my eye was red and terribly irritated. I found an ophthalmologist and sat in the waiting room for over an hour while the people waiting before me were seen. He had to take a piece of debris that was lodged in my
Angkor Wat
Walking toward the wat. eyelid out. Then he prescribed drops and a gel to put into my eye several times a day. I was in misery for a couple of days and we ended up staying five nights in Siem Reap (much longer than anticipated). My eye is finally on the mend.
On our sixth day, I finally was up to leaving but waited too late to catch a bus to the Thai border. I had to hire a taxi for the two hour drive again and it was the most hair raising ride I have had to date. He drove at excessive speeds and wove in and out of traffic continuously. We were thankful to make it to the border in one piece. It was a rough day overall and we were happy to get some rest back in Bangkok.
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Suzanne
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Awesome pics
I loved all the pics. Little girl would have broke my heart. Sorry to hear about your eye . Glad it's getting better. Stay safe love you both.