Temples of Angkor

Asia » Cambodia » North » Angkor
February 13th 2006

Published: May 4th 2006

Edit Blog Post

nightrider_1980

Welcome to Cambodia

Crossing the border from Thailand into Cambodia.

I was glad to leave Bangkok after a few days and see pastures new. Caught the early morning bus from Bangkok which took us to the border, where we stood around in the scorching heat passing through various checkpoints. Once over the boarder we were shuttled to another bus and piled aboard, our luggage piled high in the aisle. Within half an hour of boarding the Cambodian bus we broke down, due to overheating, a new fan belt was sent for. The journey from Bangkok to Siam Reap was due to take about 12 hours, an ETA time of 8pm. By the time we stopped for some food it was already 11pm. Next we got a flat tire, and guess what, no spare. Cars were sent for from Siam Reap as we waited around in the dark Cambodian wilderness for over 2 hours. Eventually one car and two trucks arrived and we were packed in like sardines, I got a fairly comfortable seat, but others around me were actually groaning in pain. It was a surreal and magical moment, a full moon shining down, fires were burning on the horizon. Welcome to Cambodia.

Spent a day looking around Siam Reap.

Breakdown

This was our first breakdown.

The contrasts here are shocking, street children and beggars sit outside fancy French restaurants as tourists gorge on steak. In recent years Siam Reap has gone through massive changes, there are bars everywhere, and I've never seen so many 5* Hotels anywhere in the world. US dollars are the expected currency and the Cambodians are in shock at how a tourist will pay a dollar for a cab ride.

On our second day we hired a tuk-tuk driver for three days to take us around the Temples of Angkor. For the next three days we marvelled at the mighty Angkor Wat, stood in awe at the faces of Bayan, and gawped at the vegetation embraced Ta Prohm. The audacity of a project like Angkor is impressive in itself, and the results are breathtaking.

After a week or so in Siam Reap we caught a boat down to Battambang.

Additional photos below

Photos: 29, Displayed: 23

Comment Follow (0) Message

Kevin

nightrider_1980

Born and raised in Portsmouth, England, in a provincial area called Drayton. After school, college, and a year at Portsmouth Uni, studying predominantly Photography, Media and Film Studies, I left for Uni in Sheffield. Had a fantastic time 'studying' and successfully received a degree in Film Studies. Like many graduates I still had no clue as to what I wanted to actually do? After another year in Sheffield not doing much I decided to spice up my life with a move to London. Got a job at the National Film Theatre where I have spent the last 2.5 years. Since working in London I have de... full info