Angkor Wow

Wow Angkor Wat and wow I survived a 3 day bike trip in 35 C plus temperature and humidity. Also some pretty difficulty rocky and sahara desert roads. Well worth it though.

After meeting the rest of the gang, all Germans,ya vol and we're off.  After maneourving thru town traffic ( I didn't hit anyone and no one hit me)we're off in the country side to the temples. First stop is Ta Prohm. They filmed part of Lara Croft - Tomb Raider here.  It's my favourite of the temples.  Huge giant trees grow around the temple walls with their roots looking like they have a strangle hold on the temple walls.

The temples started out being Hindu and then became Buddist.  Age of Temples??? Built approx. in the years of 800 and onwards.
Awesome and I've never seen anything like it.

Off cycling thru the jungle to Angkor Thom. Staggering.

And then Angkor Wat and it is impressive.  You just have to stop and stare.

Day one finished.  Off into town for dinner. Siem Reap has tons of restaurants and bars to choose from.  With seeing the Hindu influence on the temples I have the hankering for some good India food. Best chicken Masala I've ever had, washed down with some cold Ankar beer.  Took a stroll down Pub Street which is Siem Reap's answer to Bourbon street. Great place to have a beer and watch the people go by.

Day two.  Torture Day on the bike. Over 60 K's on the bike and a pleasant ha ha 1500 meter climb up a hill.  Made it. Country side was pretty, my favourite was all the kids who would excitedly wave and happily pose for pictures.

Day 3.... easier day, only 40 K.  More country side, more kids and a visit to a place unlike any other place I've ever seen.  A village built high on stilts. We took a boat ride through it. River now very very low and we had trouble at some points even getting through. The river is muddy muddy muddy. Men and boys swim with fishing nets.  We finally get through the village and all of a sudden we're on a large lake. We stop on a floating restaurant really in the middle of nowhere in the middle of the lake. Unbelievable.

More kids. Loved showing them their picture in my camera screen to them.

Woke up one morning at 5 to see the sun rise behind Angkar Wat.

End of my South East Asia journey. Exceeded all expectations.

Welcome to the Kingdom of Cambodia

Nice short flight from Saigon to Siem Reap, Cambodia.  Getting the visa at the airport went smooth, went through passport control quickly, picked up my luggage and I'm out the door. I'm greeted by a thud of hot, humid air. It is sweltering and it's only 9:30 in the morning.  I cruise my way to the transportation desk. Hmmmm got my choice of taxi, tuk tuk or a moto/remork which is a motorscooter which is only $2 American.  I choose the motor scooter.  Loved the Easy Rider in Vietnam, dying to get back on the motorscooter.  Well it's a little bit different with all my luggage. My driver was sooo busy talking to me about his life, his sister's and had his head turned around he wasn't even looking at the road. Yikes. 

My hotel is fabulous. Great room. Fabulous tropical grounds.

Time to explore Siem Reap and my throat is parched. I go looking for a good place to have a bite to eat and have a cold beer. I decide to try a Mexican place called Viva's.  You can get a mug of draft for $1.00. I clutch the mug with both hands trying to cool down. I bead of sweat runs down the side of my face. Wow it is sweltering.  I place the cold mug all around my face and on the back of my neck. Oh oh hope I'm not warming up my beer enough of that. I glance around. Hey across from me is a guy that looks like a young Mel Gibson.  The young Cambodian waitresses think he's cute too. They are flitting about him. Smiling and smiling. Beside me sits a guy that looks like young Jesus.  Hm.. I think I'll have another beer.

Siem Reap has a river that runs through it called the Siem Reap river. It's really pretty. There's a walkway on both sides of the river. I think I'll be spending a lot of time walking around here.  The river has absolutely no current.  You see a lot of families  here enjoying the peace and kids play.  Also a few joggers. Amazing in this heat.

Think I'm going to love it here.