We are now in Siem Reap, Cambodia and have just had some very hot and hectic days looking at the wonderful temples of Angkor Wat. Each one seemed to be more spectacular than the last. We had tuk-tuk driver to take us round but still had lots of walking to do - some of them are 800 metres across - with lots of uneven and steep steps to climb. On our first day we watched the sunset at Pre Rup - along with about 150 other tourists. We were there early so had a good place to sit (even though we were perilously near a very steep drop - this meant no-one could get in front of us with their camera and tripod - yes, I mean the Japanese)
This morning we jumped lightly out of bed at 4.30 (No, that's a fib, we slouched out in a very sleepy fashion) and got our tuk-tuk for the half hour drive to the temples to watch the sun rise. This was just lovely. Thank you Eileen for all your tips. We carried them out to the letter and it all went brilliantly. The little boys trying to sell us coffee when we got there were very impressed with our wind-up torch.
One major problem visiting the temples is the number of people trying to sell you things. You can hardly move without cries of "Madame, you want cold drink? you want sarong? postcards? guide-book - very good guide-book in English? you want scarf? tablecloth? carving? statue of buddha? I know they have to make a living but I really need to learn the Khmer for "Sorry, but I already have a house full of ethnic tat" More distressing are the numerous musicians with missing limbs and signs saying they are land mines victims. There are still land mines in the vicinity and you are warned not to wander off established paths.
We had lunch at the temple complex on our first day. All was going well when Bill found an insect in his food. Fortunately it was a) dead and b) whole - nothing worse than finding only half of a life insect in your fried noodles. We said we would only pay for our drinks and we left graciously.
The traffic in this area is busy but not horrendous. Because Cambodia is much poorer than its neighbours there are fewer motorbikes and cars on the roads. However drivers seem to conform to the Buddhist Way of Driving. The rules seem to be:
-God will look after you
-If it happens, it happens
-We all have to die sometime, so don't worry
Our hotel is delightful with pretty rooms and set in a lush garden with hammocks and seats.
I hate to make anyone jealous but it is another glorious sunny day.....
This morning we jumped lightly out of bed at 4.30 (No, that's a fib, we slouched out in a very sleepy fashion) and got our tuk-tuk for the half hour drive to the temples to watch the sun rise. This was just lovely. Thank you Eileen for all your tips. We carried them out to the letter and it all went brilliantly. The little boys trying to sell us coffee when we got there were very impressed with our wind-up torch.
One major problem visiting the temples is the number of people trying to sell you things. You can hardly move without cries of "Madame, you want cold drink? you want sarong? postcards? guide-book - very good guide-book in English? you want scarf? tablecloth? carving? statue of buddha? I know they have to make a living but I really need to learn the Khmer for "Sorry, but I already have a house full of ethnic tat" More distressing are the numerous musicians with missing limbs and signs saying they are land mines victims. There are still land mines in the vicinity and you are warned not to wander off established paths.
We had lunch at the temple complex on our first day. All was going well when Bill found an insect in his food. Fortunately it was a) dead and b) whole - nothing worse than finding only half of a life insect in your fried noodles. We said we would only pay for our drinks and we left graciously.
The traffic in this area is busy but not horrendous. Because Cambodia is much poorer than its neighbours there are fewer motorbikes and cars on the roads. However drivers seem to conform to the Buddhist Way of Driving. The rules seem to be:
-God will look after you
-If it happens, it happens
-We all have to die sometime, so don't worry
Our hotel is delightful with pretty rooms and set in a lush garden with hammocks and seats.
I hate to make anyone jealous but it is another glorious sunny day.....
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