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"Siem Reap is the capital city of Siem Reap Province in northwestern Cambodia, and is the gateway to the Angkor region and temples like Angkor Wat. Siem Reap has colonial and Chinese-style architecture in the Old French Quarter, and around the Old Market." Wikipedia Siem Reap was my base to visit the famous Angkor temples. I like walking so I see lots that you miss in a taxi. I stayed close to the market and Pub Street area so good food and entertainment were nearby. There are lots of massage places which are a good place to fix your sore feet after touring the temples. Taxis are on every corner so there is no problem about getting around Siem Reap very cheaply. I made some new friends in Siem Reap and had a great time there. ... read more

"Beng Mealea (its name means "lotus pond") is a temple in the Angkor Wat style located 40 km east of the main group of temples at Angkor, Cambodia, on the ancient royal highway to Preah Khan Kompong Svay. The history of the temple is unknown and it can be dated only by its architectural style, identical to Angkor Wat, so scholars assumed it was built during the reign of king Suryavarman II in the early 12th century. Smaller in size than Angkor Wat, the king's main monument, Beng Mealea nonetheless ranks among the Khmer empire's larger temples: the gallery which forms the outer enclosure of the temple is 181 m by 152 m. It was the center of a town, surrounded by a moat 1025 m by 875 m large and 45 m wide." from Wikipedia ... read more

"Phnom Penh is the capital and largest city of Cambodia. Located on the banks of the Mekong River, Phnom Penh has been the national capital since French colonization of Cambodia, and has grown to become the nation's center of economic and industrial activities, as well as the center of security, politics, cultural heritage, and diplomacy of Cambodia. Once known as the "Pearl of Asia", it was considered one of the loveliest French-built cities in Indochina in the 1920s. Phnom Penh, along with Siem Reap and Sihanoukville, are significant global and domestic tourist destinations for Cambodia. Founded in 1434, the city is noted for its beautiful and historical architecture and attractions. There are a number of surviving French colonial buildings scattered along the grand boulevards. Situated on the banks of the Tonlé Sap, Mekong and Bassac rivers, ... read more

“Songkran Festival, April 12-15, is the traditional Thai New Year. This is the time for Thais to pay homage to Buddha images, clean their houses, and sprinkle water on their elders in a show of respect. Anyone who ventures out on the streets is likely to get a thorough dousing of water, all in good fun, but also quite welcome at the peak of the hot season.” http://www.swp.in.th/songkran.html Songkran is my favourite time to visit Thailand. It is hot and I will get very wet and covered in white powder . I will also see most Thai people enjoying their national three day holiday with their friends and family and the smiles in some of my photos show you the joy and happiness of the Thai people at this time. Songkran is celebrated at various times ... read more

Sam Phan Bok (Three Thousand Holes) Monday 16th January was one of my best days on tour since I started visiting Thailand. My legs are still recovering from all the walking and climbing but it was an unforgettable day. Sam Phan Bok is close to the border of Laos and that is how the location is spelt on site so I will go with that and it means “Three Thousand Holes”. At this time of year the Mekong River is very low instead of the powerful river seen between July and October. It took two hours to get to Sam Phan Bok and the nearby roads seem to have more than three thousand holes in them but only for a short distance approaching the river. My driver is not a guide and usually one of the ... read more