Captivated by Cambodia

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.....

Postcard from Bangkok

We are well settled in on the Khaosan Road in Bangkok. All fairly relaxing though we do one touristy thing a day. Yesterday we walked to the Grand Palace - not very far but seemed like a long way in the heat. Things in Bangkok don't change much - there are the usual tourist scams. On our way to the Grand Palace two different people told us it was closed. They do this so that they can be your guide and take you somewhere else. And tuk-tuk drivers seem to all be rogues - worse than the taxi drivers but they are bad too. We bargained with a tuk-tuk driver yesterday and agreed on a price to take up back to our hotel but then when we got in he said "First I take you to very nice place - good for you and good for me too" We just said no thanks and got out and walked away. We were talking to a young Danish woman that we have got friendly with and she said that she just wished she could get into a taxi and go somewhere without it being a battle. We know how she feels.

This morning we went to a temple called Wat Suket which is on an artificial "mountain" called Golden Mount. Nice breezy climb up and lovely views of the city. Lots of Thais there worshipping. To go inside the actual temple you have to take off your shoes and leave them outside. My Reeboks look new and I was reluctant to leave them on the steps with all the others (having just seen Slumdog Millionaire!) so put them in my bag. I told Bill nobody would want his 'cos they look so scruffy.

Some New Year celebrations are going on - fireworks and burning offerings in the street.

Last night in the restaurant we were talking about things we had lost or had stolen on holiday. Jenny the Danish lass outdid us by having lost a camera that cost 1,000 euros. But when we got back to the hotel I realised I had left my blouse on the back of the chair. Poor Bill walked back to get it for me.

Off to Cambodia tomorrow - new territory for us.

Thailand - Here we come!!!

Well, the packing is just about completed and soon we will be off to the airport for our trip to Thailand and Cambodia. Our trusty backpacks are once again being used. Mine dates from 1996 and was a leaving gift from work. It is very well travelled and is beginning to look a bit shabby (well, aren't we all?) We bought Bill's in Vietnam a couple of years ago and although it has done well so far I am dubious about its quality.
Of course, already the doubts are arising...... what have I forgotten to pack? Will the D & D Inn on the Khaosan Road have a room for us? Will we have crap seats on the plane? We have already checked in on-line (isn't that a great thing to be able to do?) but I take nothing for granted. My two great hates of flying are a) people who insist on reclining their seats as soon as they get on so that the back of their seat is in my face and b) being sat by an overweight person - nothing so irritating as having your space invaded. You see, I am getting tense already and I haven't even left for the airport.