Siem Reap and back to Phnom Penh

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To reach Siem Reap - base for visiting the mighty Angkor Wat - we opted for a boat ride. The weather was hot and legroom was at a premium. All the same, the trip was not altogether unenjoyable as we basked in the glorious sunshine on the top deck of the small vessel. After about five hours we arrived at the dock in Siem Reap and were greeted by about a thousand hotel representatives and rickshaw drivers; these individuals know exactly when all tourist boats and buses arrive into town and they accordingly go straight down each time to tout for business. So, after a small argument with one tout (who was putting everyone and their bags in danger of falling into the sea by getting up on the deck to solicit potential customers), we got down and jumped in a tuk-tuk to our next residence - The Good Kind guesthouse.

The guest house actually turned out to be neither good nor kind, as when we gave them our washing, they returned it minus Louise's trousers and fleece (unbeknown to us at the time). Also, the rooms were too hot and the service was completely sh*t.

We booked ourselves a one-day pass at the much raved about temples of Angkor. The main temple, the mighty Angkor Wat, is the largest religious building in the world and has the capacity to send shivers down the spine of many visitors. This magnificent feat of architecture was indeed stunning, but it also re-affirmed the the importance of tailor-making your trip to suit your own personal interests. While we wouldn't have missed it, we were certainly glad when we had finished seeing it and the other main temples. We subsequently made a promise to ourselves to no longer see anything out of obligation. This said, the photographs show our two favourite parts of the site; the mystical faces of the temple of Bayon and the jungle-eaten remains of Ta Promh.

We relieved ourselves from Siem Reap the next morning and climbed aboard the bus back to Phnom Penh.

Due to our relaxed existence the last time we were in this city, we had left ourselves with an action packed itinerary for the next few days. We visited the orphanage, where David organised a football game, and together we taught an English lesson to a class of about 40 children from age 4 to 16! This was a challenge we were both unprepared for but it was fun, and the children all enjoyed our company. Leaving the ramshackled structure and its excitable inhabitants with a bag of rice from the market, we returned to the guesthouse.

Our last evening in Phnom Penh was also busy. First, dinner at 'The Magic Sponge,' our friendly local English/Cambodian bar, and then off to a night club 'The Heart of Darkness,' to witness youth culture for the wealthier Cambodian. We were sad to leave Cambodia the next day.

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Photos

Ta Promh
As used in the movie Tomb Raider!

David in his natural habitat...
-challenging Dan to a game of Pro-Evolution Soccer.

Comments

[June & Graham]

Uplifting blog for Christmas
What a lovely early Christmas present. We can just imagine you at the orphanage and in the local restaurant interacting with the locals - that sounds like the best bit of travelling. Happy New Year - nearly halfway! xxx

[Karen]

Merry Christmas
I love reading your blog and must check it about twice a day on average to see if you've added anything new! Hope you're having a great time. Merry Christmas and thanks for keeping us all up to date. Lots of love, Karen xxx

[Alex]

Cambodge
I defy anyone to visit Cambodia and not come away totally in love with the country... And I cant get over how accurately Jimmy described the people and culture there just by looking at your photos! Has he been?!