February 26, 2011 – Friday Weather – Overcast & humid By 5:45 am we were on the Causeway heading for Angkor Wat. This was our opportunity to view the single largest religious monument at sun rise. Still dark we carefully travelled over uneven ground, up and down stairs to our special viewing point. We sat on the board walk patiently testing our cameras to ensure that we would get that perfect picture. At 6:15 am the silence was broken as the crickets began their morning serenade. At 6:45 am it was obvious that we would not see the sun rise due to the humidity and overcast sky. Oh well, I guess we’ll just have to pick up a few post cards from the children as we return to our van . Back to the hotel for ... read more

Tuesday, February 22, 2011 Temperature 30 degrees Air quality good It was a 13.5 hour flight from Vancouver to Taipei, with a 2 hour lay over and an additional 3.5 hours to Phnom Penh. Tired but happy to be in Cambodia we were met by our local guide Liam. No problem getting our Cambodian visa at the airport. (2$US for a photo and 25.00$US will get you a visa) Once settled into the hotel some took advantage of the pool while others had a short sleep. After lunch we hired 2 tuk tuks for a city tour and short stop at the New Market. Watches, clothing, piles of shoes, wood carvings and beautiful flowers were available at very reasonable prices. Marika made the first purchase of 8 lotus flowers for 1US$. Our first impression of Cambodia ... read more

February 23, 2011 – Tuesday Weather – very warm & humid Upon arrival at the Phnom Penh Airport we were processed through their immigration very quickly. Due to repacking at the YVR airport Susan and I had put our Cambodian visa picture in checked luggage therefore we were forced to pay 2$US at the Phnom Penh Airport along with the visa cost of 25$US. Today is day one of our tour and we are overcome by the poverty in this city. Phnom Penh is dirty, dusty and every time you step out of a tuc tuc (motor taxi) there were children either begging or trying to sell trinkets. Glue sniffing was very prevalent among the youth. Our guide Lim was very informative, offering the necessary information as we toured the National Museum of Khmer Arts, the ... read more