Temples Galore

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We left Kratie and made our way towards Siem Riep another journey that took awhile, surprise. We eventually made it, we managed to orginise a motor taxi for the next days temple viewing. We left at about six in the morning to make our way to the river Lingas, this journey took about 3 hrs in total. It was bumpy, which did not help Kats dickie belly but it was alot of fun and intresting, passing through little farming hamlets with all the children shouting hello. The river lingas are carvings in the river bed which blessed the water that runs over them, this blessed water then ran into the valley and rice paddys, ensureing a good harvest. It was about half an hour trek in to the jungle, of course uphill. The whole place felt enchanted, we could have been walking through the elven forest in the Lord of the rings. We then made our way to the main temples but not before been suckered by the children, little Donald Trumps but tougher ,bought a book for $14 (yes i can hear the laughter) that somebody later offered me the same book for $1 (more laughter). A sucker every minute. Anyway we did all the main temples over 2 days. We did the second day on bike which was fun untill the end of the day, sore butts but just to top it of it rained the last few km. I think we did about 20 kms in total Kat was real trooper. The temples were amazeing to think some are over 1000 years old.

In the evenings we ate out at some really good resteraunts even watched some danceing.
Siemp Riep is a good example of how tourism is both good and evil. We saw so much poverty, the streets were shocking and yet there were top bars and resteraunts. Siem Riep is the most popular destination in Cambodia yet it seems none of the money filters to the people who really need it. Its the same old song, there are places that have set up self help programmes but still more needs to be done. Anyway we then made our way to Battabang By boat.

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