Siem Reap, Cambodia

Siem Reap, Cambodia was like a breath of fresh air. We arrived at our hotel and were handed ice cold towels and cold tea to drink. Our hotel (Kool Hotel) was wonderful! Big beautiful rooms and a lush garden with a pool…all at a great value. Town is fun…with a pub street, alleys full of open air restaurants and a night market. Wonderful after the hustle and bustle of Vietnam.

A friend of Dean’s had recommended that we go to Angkor Wat. We had no idea how amazing these temples would be! Our hotel arranged for a tuk-tuk driver to take us around the temples for 2 days. We started with the “large circuit”, lesser known temples on the outskirts of Angkor. This would end up being our favorite day…with fewer tourists…we were often alone while exploring.

The first temple, Banteay Srei, has some of the finest stone carving seen anywhere in the world. Construction was thought to have begun in AD 967. We decided not to use a guide so that we had the independence to walk around and take pictures. While we were looking in awe at the temple a cop approached us, and asked if we would like to know some of the history (after chatting us up). We said okay…and he said “Five dollah” and then proceeded to launch into a detailed description of every single carving. We could barely understand his English…and standing in the relentless sun…we almost wanted to pay him $5 just to shut up.

Many of the temples have an “Indiana Jones” feel…and are crumbling into the jungle.

One of the five immense gates of the fortified city of Angkor Thom. At one point it may have supported a population of one million people. It was surrounded by a 100m moat full said to be inhabited by fierce crocodiles.

The next morning we did the large circuit. While walking to the first temple we encountered monks and an elephant being ridden. Inscriptions state that 6000 elephants were used in the construction of Angkor Wat.

Bayon has more than 200 carved stone faces. Ever feel like you are being watched? It epitomizes the King’s inflated ego, as the huge heads bear a resemblance to him.

The famous Ta Prohm known for the “Tomb Raider” tree where Angelina Jolie’s Lara Croft picked a jasmine flower. This temple has been swallowed by the jungle…and is said to look the way most of the monuments looked when European explorers first stumbled upon them.

Angkor Wat, believed to be the largest religious structure in the world. There are over 3000 asparas (heavenly nymphs) carved into the walls.

Cheapest hair cut of the trip. He had Dean pick out pictures in a book. Fun to watch! 

Our last night with our friends Bart and Marriane. We met this couple from Switzerland on our slow boat to Nong Khiaw, Laos. We spent eight hours on the boat chatting…and got along well. In Nong Khiaw we said our first goodbye after dinner and a card game..we ran into them again in Luang Prabang climbing to a remote pool of a waterfall. .then again in Cat Ba island while walking along the waterfront….and again in a restaurant in Siem Reap, Cambodia. It took three countries and multiple chance meetings…but we finally said our goodbyes. We hope to see them again someday!