Cambodia

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Was a relief to get into Cambodia after Bangkok. Border crossing was a bit of a nightmare at poipet. There were so many papers etc to fill out in small spaces with no chairs etc. It was also very smelly.

First stop siem Reap which was really nice. Pretty cheap for food etc. Went to the Angkor temples on a day trip starting at 5am to see sunrise over angkor wat.

This was a really tiring day as there was loads of walking and climbing up "steps" to do in intense heat. There is clearly no health and safety regs in Cambodia as steps were insane- really steep, really small and disappearing. But it was great that you could really just climb all over the temples. Some had been preserved by cutting down the trees which were engulfing them. this is great but some of the trees growing in the ruins were spectacular and the roots were literally holding up the buildings (photos to follow). We had a guide who actually knew everthing about angkor wat- it was a total information overload but really interesting at the same time. Every metre we walked he would stop to translate another wall carving!

Really liked this place- didnt get bothered too much, mainly by kids- one said he would kill us as we wouldnt buy his books. Nice.

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