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Published: October 12th 2010
We’re now in Cambodia having said a fond farewell to Koh Chang. We had a good 12 hour journey and traveled by mini bus, boat and big bus to end up in Siem Reap in the North of Cambodia. The thing that you notice straight away after crossing the border are paddy fields as far as the eye can see. The accommodation is more similar to that of rural Central America than Thailand but there is an amazing feeling of spirit. People were out with their families playing and washing in the water ways, eating dinner, picnic style, on bridges and on the river banks. Already, Cambodia seems like a special place.
We took a couple of days staying near to our very nice hotel (we were greeted with chilled towels to mop our brows on arrival) as Sheryl had a mild case of food poisoning. After a while, when we thought it was safe enough to venture away from the comforts of a western toilet, we took a tuk tuk ride in to town to see what’s going on. The middle of Siem Reap, or the Old Market area, seems to be set up for the tourist. Lots of
bars with happy hours and cheap eats. Just outside of this the main road is lined with huge, grand hotels which, at night, light up their pointy roofs, fountains and sculptures. The reason for the tourism is that Siem Reap is the place to stay when you want to visit one of the wonders of the world, Angkor Wat.
Whilst sitting having a drink on the side of the road a tuk tuk came and parked up next to us. A rock n roll tuk tuk no less with ice cooler box, a DVD player, games, karaoke, surround sound speakers and enough music to fill few days. Well, if we were ever going to spend a day seeing temples, what better way to do it than in the rock n roll tuk tuk. The day was hot and hard work as there is still a lot of walking to do but we had such a fabulous time.
Angkor Wat and the surrounding area is just amazing. Angkor Wat with all it's grandeur and spectacular details and the smaller but no less amazing temples that looked like the setting for the film, Tomb Raider. We felt like Indiana Jones
with the massive trees hiding the small doorways that led to ancient temples.
We didn't feel so much of an Indiana when we got pounced on by numerous children all wanting to sell us something though.. all for the flat rate of 'one dollar'. It can be quite tiring when for the 200th time in one day you have to say 'no, sorry' but desperately wanted to say 'yes, of course'. 200 one dollars add up to quite a lot.
Today we have checked out of our lovely hotel and have moved to a nice guest house closer to the town centre, The Jasmin Lodge. We needed to move closer as we will be traveling 13km out of town to a school for the rest of the week where we will be teaching English to rural Cambodian children. Neither of us have taught English before but luckily we will be having a bit of guidance from an English teacher already at the school.
Sadly, our laptop has decided that it no longer likes connecting to wi fi. No reason for saying, just wanted to share the sad news. Good news is that we get to use internet
Pub Street
Near the old market is Siem Reap's answer to Khoa San Roadcafes that are usually placed next to a pub.
Rocking 'n' Rolling lurve to you all
S&S
XxXxX
We have just found out that the school is now flooded and so are their houses. There is an orphanage attached to the school, so it looks like we are going to play with them instead. S&S 'official play buddies' - cool.
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non-member comment
Teaching English
Remember, Sheryl, it's Curree not Curreh! And for goodness sake don't let Steve teach those children any northern!