Day 26 Angkor Wat

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Day 26
We were up at 4.30am to catch the sunrise at Ankor Wat and oh my it was worth it. Pros, the tuk tuk driver arranged by Trevor last night was waiting for us at 5am. We were both very excited. There were many people in tuk Tuks and on buses doing the same thing. We arrived at the entrance gate and queued for a short while we were given passes with our photos on. The temples are spread over 400 km you need to show your pass to get in them. Also you need transport to take you to each one. We arrived in good time as the sun just started to come up over Ankor Wat. It was truly beautiful. There were thousands of people there but there was a hush. The temple was surrounded by water which made it more beautiful. There was a long walk in to get to the temple. As you got closer it got more amazing. Inside there was so much to look at. The stone work was so detailed. Depicting elephants, warriors and gods. It is amazing that such a huge place of worship was built so long ago. We saw workers who were restoring the site. There were some areas that had not been restored yet. The work was delayed during the war in the 70's and didn't recommence until the 90's. It was pleasant walking around because it was so early and not too crowded. It was hot but not scorching. As we walked back to the tuk tuk so many people were just arriving. We had agreed a price with the driver so decided to stop for breakfast in a field looking at Angkor Wat. I enjoyed fruit pancake. There were many children selling postcards. We decided to buy them just incase our photos didn't come out properly. 10 for $3. We laughed later as we heard the same being sold 10 for $1!

Pros then took us to Bayern temple. This was my favourite (after the sunrise) giant heads. In the walk up we saw a monkey running across the ruins. The site was so large with many areas to explore. There were many steps at all the sites which took its toll on us after 5 hours! Pros then took us to Angkor Thom. This too was beautiful. There was a terrace of elephant statues and wall carvings. I can't describe very well the experience but it was beautiful and spiritual.

We headed back to Pros who said there were 4 more temples to see. We'd seen the main 3 and been on the go for 5 hours so we asked him to take us back to the hotel. There were elephant rides along the route out. I did consider it but I wanted to run bare foot up the elephants trunk and ride him but it didn't look like that was possible!

We headed for a coffee before going back to the hotel for an hours sleep. Trevor had emailed us and invited us to go up to the New Hope Cambodia centre where he volunteered. It was "rice drop day". Pros picked us up in his tuk tuk at 1.30. We were very excited. Trevor met us and we signed in and given ID badges. Trevor took us on a tour of the facilities. He explained the centre was set up by a Cambodian man in 2007 who had come through poverty and wanted to give back to the community. The set up is great, all volunteers and sponsorship. Trevor introduced us to a lady who he sponsors her and her 5 children. The idea is that they assist families who have no or very low income. Every month they give rice to the family approx 50kg depending on how large the family is or needy. The family are contracted to send their children to the school at the centre with a view that they become educated and break the poverty cycle. There was a medical centre there too. The centre was bustling with people, mainly women who had come to collect the rice. It reminded me or school assembly. Everyone sat in rows on chairs. Some people were called up to collect certificates. Trevor explained that these families had now come out of poverty and no longer needed the handouts. They were so proud. Everyone clapped. This then allowed for another family to be sponsored. There are 200 on the waiting list. Lesley was talking to one volunteer who sponsored 4 families. He told how one of the mothers husband died. She borrowed $1000 to bury him and look after the children. Because she couldn't pay it back the loan shark was going to take her children
For trafficking in Thailand. The sponsor stepped in and paid the loan for her. The atmosphere at the centre was happy though. Everyone was smiling at us and saying hello. There were lots of children playing. They seemed to want me to play and kept tickling me. One little girl was so small she was like a little walking doll. Once the certificates had been given out they started to give the rice. It was a sight to see woman trying to take 50kg of rice in their bicycle. It was time to leave. Pros was taking us back in his tuk tuk. Trevor arranged for the lady he sponsored to get a lift with us. So they tied her bike to the tuk tuk loaded on the rice and off we went. She didn't speak English but we laughed a lot and smiled. What a wonderful cause and what a great experience. Thank you Trevor for inviting us.

We're so weary we head back to the hotel for showers and a night in. Up early tomorrow for our bicycle tour.

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Comments

[Rich]

Temples
What a great day! Pics look amazing and to see the temple at dawn must have been v special... X

[Helen2911]

Hi
Hi Rich OMG it's been an amazing end to the trip and the sunrise at Angkor Wat was the icing on the cake. Been on a cycling tour this morning did 25km you'd have been proud of me! River trip and sunset this evening then travel home. Can't wait to see you all when I get back x