Blogs from Angkor, North, Cambodia, Asia - page 95

We have now travelled into Cambodia along what can only be described as the bumpiest road on the planet. It took over 6 hours to go about 100 kms. It was worth it though as Cambodia is amazing. We are currently exploring the temples of Angkor which need to be seen to be believed. There are so many fantastic temples and ruins. It is very hot here and you do start to melt if you stand still in the sun for too long. Everywhere you go there are children trying to sell you things or ask you where you are from. Have to be on the bus at 5am tomorrow to catch sunrise over Angkor Wat!... read more

Another early morning as we left the guest house at 5am to go to Angkor Wat. After we had crossed the moat & walked down the long raised path, there in front of us through the dark we could just see the outline of Angkor Wat, the largest religious monument in the world. Hundreds of people has gathered along the path waiting for the sun to rise. The sky got gradually lighter revealing faint wisps of early morning cloud & then finally the ancient temple was fully visible. We walked inside & made our way up to the top level up some really steep steps that appeared even steeper on descending. Bol had a plan to get us round Angkor so that we would meet as few other tourists as possible. This plan seemed to work ... read more

What do you do when youre bored with Thailand? Take a little detour to Cambodia. The journey itself back and forth is all but relaxing, but in a way prepares you for what to expect in terms of comfort and standard of facilities and infrastructure in the country. Angkor Wat is allegedly the largest religious spot in the world with its palaces and temples. The tourist is offered to explore it for one, two, or three days. Having only one day to spend, the option is rather easy for me. A guy from the hotel offers to be my designated driver for the day, and I accept. He takes me on his motorbike, stops at all the important and interesting spots and buildings, and waits patiently in the shade at the exit of each sight. Im ... read more

That's how we are feeling at the moment you get used to one place and then we are off again somewhere new! So Chris left us at our last entry on our first day in Sihanoukville after that horrendous journey of nine hours with nothing to eat! So after a good nights sleep and a good breakfast we set off with our back packs map in hand to find a place at the beach to chill out for the rest of the week. We headed down to Serendipity Beach where we found a nice hotel/bar just on the beach front for 10 dollars. We had a nice meal etc and thought this would be a good place to spend the week that was until we were lying there at 3am with heavy metal music being played ... read more

October 14: Today we caught our flight to Cambodia. We arrived in Siem Reap and went to the Red Piano Guesthouse, which was the same place we had stayed three years before. The building that used to have the guesthouse now houses only the (expanded) restaurant, and the guesthouse itself is down a side street next to the Sok San Palace. The Sok San Palace is an extremely sketchy Asian businessman retreat of blacklight bar/restaurant, karaoke, disco and massage parlour. Also next door is the Zanzybar, a little bar of note only because our friend Norm hit his head there on our last trip. Over the last three years, tourism has apparently exploded and there are at least five times as many restaurants, bars and luxury hotels full of Western, Japanese and Korean tourists than before. ... read more