Cambodia: Siem Reap

For the first full day, we decided to explore the town before heading off to the temples.  We took a walk along the very dirty river, walked through ‘artists’ markets, food markets, and food stalls.  Like most or all of SE Asia I think both of us had to say “No thank you” more than we have said in our lives.  Done with the markets, now time to sit out at our roof top pool (that’s right!!) for the rest of the afternoon and enjoy a few mango shakes.  Great way to enjoy the rest of the day.

Fun lamp in our breakfast area.  Again the palm tree and elephant theme.

In our Tuk Tuk, enjoying the baking breeze.  The sweat is about to begin

Woke up nice and early, filled our bellies as much as possible.  Shelley once again was mad at herself for the second trip through the buffet, but I reminded her about the long day ahead.  She just smiled (not happy now with ME and herself).

Our Tuk Tuk was ready to roll and we made our way to the two most popular and in best shape temple areas:  Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom.

So you may ask, “Why go see more temples??”  I would have to agree with those asking that question.  But the temples of Angkor are the eighth wonder of the world and something visitors in Cambodia should see, so we did (and yes, at the time of this writing, we do not need to see any more temples).

The temperature outside: 110+  The humidity outside: 90%.  I thought it couldn’t get any hotter, well it did.  Walking around in this type of heat is tough, but the sites and carrying tons of water made it bearable.

These two temple areas are so popular, due to the fact that these two areas have been maintained continuously since being built almost 1000-years ago.  There are tons of rooms to explore, beautiful sculptures, tall towers, ponds, lots of stairs to climb, musty smells to inhale and simply many stunning sights.  The size of the stones and sculptures, makes one wonder how they were able to build them without the help of heavy machinery.

Shelley being terrorized again by a five-headed snake...Run Shelley, Run

On the pathway to Angkor Wat...no sweat yet!!!

Cool picture of part of the temple

They dress their sculptures here...neat (I guess)

Shelley checking out one of the smaller towers

Yay, we made it to another temple.  

You can see some of the areas that are falling in.  People do get hurt at the temples every year

A look outside of one temple to another

Shelley intently checking out something..."Earth to Shelley.  Anyone there??"

Great view of Angkor Wat

Smiling as always and loving the experience

An orphan school on the temple grounds.  The buddhist monks run these schools

Monks checking out the murals and sweating just like us

Shelley getting ready to join me up some of those Asian stairs (small and steep stairs)

Still more to climb...we can do it

A view from the top.  We are at the tree line and being closer to the sun, sweating even more

Everything is so small here, I wish I had seen this sign earlier

Shelley wanted a serious picture of me by this courtyard.  Here you go!

A hot air balloon in the background.  Pretty neat shot of the temple from the top

A look up at some of the ornate carvings

More of Shelley's friends.  "Take a couple of steps closer Shelley..."

Angkor Thom

Another angle.  Look closer and you can see the faces in each pillar

Shelley presenting the ruins of the temples.  Tons of stone everywhere.

Look at that smile!!

In front of one of the many faces on the temple

You can see what the rainy season does to these temples

Shelley carefully making her way through the temple and the ruins of the temple

Wait up Shelley, you are walking too fast

A long fun day and both soaked.  We really enjoyed it!

Walking up thousands of stairs made for small Asian feet, the sun beating down on us, the sweat permeating every piece of clothing including socks and shoes, and eight hours gone by, we headed back to the hotel for a long swim, a long cold shower, some frozen drinks, a $7 full meal and to bed we went.

Since there has been zero cardio or exercise for that matter and eating/drinking, we decided a day of rest is needed (yes, we needed a vacation from our vacation!!).  We spent the day sleeping in, recuperating, reading, eating and rehydrating—hey, we have to take advantage of the roof top pool!

Cambodia: Phnom Penh to Siem Reap

Our last half day in Phnom Penh.  Woke up, with our little French breakfast, then off to a bakery for some treats for the seven hour ride to Siem Reap.  Of course the distance to the bakery was a lot further than we remembered.  Over an hour later, treats in hand, we made it back to the hotel to sit by the pool, finish our books (so we could leave them there), and get ready for the next leg.

Tonle Sap river.  Beautiful walk in the downtown area

Selling birds.  You want bird??

Picture of Wat Phen, the highest point in Phnom Penh.  Interesting huh?

Safety first!! No one blocking traffic and leaning the ladder on wires

Horny Bar sign, with children sitting in the front.  Classy?!

Biggest jackfruits we have seen yet

Setting up for meals at the local market.  Our stomachs are already feeling questionable, so no food here

 Not sure what is being served here, but looks yummy!!

THE TRIP to Siem Reap...

The word mortifying—you may be asking why I am using this now?  We Americans use this word a lot and I would have to say the majority of the time the word is used in exaggeration.  I now can say that we can use this word in its full meaning.  Our small van, seven hour ride with plastic seats in the aisle for extra passengers, was mortifying!!

Here is what we had to deal with, so try to keep up:

Broken road, narrowing of the road due to rain destroying the edges, deadly passing techniques both by our driver and others coming at us, motorbikes-lots of them weaving, people on bikes, bikes coming at you in the wrong direction, motorbikes pulling trailers, people pulling trailers, horses pulling trailers, trailers pulling trailers with an engine on the front, bikes pulling trailers, cows pulling trailers---Okay lots of trailers—kids crossing the street without looking, naked kids crossing street without looking, old people crossing without looking, cows crossing the street with no warning, motorbikes coming at you in the wrong direction, fires on the side of the road, a tour bus accident with a construction truck (did not look good), torrential rain, then super dry conditions with wind blowing dust, vendors no more than two inches from us, and dogs darting out in the street….ALL on a two lane decrepit road…**SIGH**?! 

Ten years older, anxiety like you cannot imagine, the trip was mortifying.  We made it and we still have another bus ride to Bangkok.  If one values their life here, they should fly.  Or if on a budget like us, do what the locals do.

We checked into the hotel in Siem Reap, walked around the Old Market with some ‘real’ artisans and some interesting restaurants.   Very bohemian here.   A few beers to calm the nerves and then pass out.

AAAHHHH, we needed this after that trip!!

Cambodia: Exploring Phnom Penh

Shelley getting chased by an elephant.  Only Shelley!!

Took a tuk tuk to the Royal Palace only to find out they were closing two hours early before re-opening in the afternoon.  Change of plans.  With our tuk tuk driver meeting us later, we decided to check out some of the other free sites in the area.

Not sure the type of bird, but Erik wore the right colors

A picture of the hot, no seriously super hot (temp-wise) couple

Interesting sign?!

Old slums, worth a lot of money to foreign investors that locals refuse to sell

Shelley outside the slum, saying "Can we leave now.  The smells are awful"

We checked out Friendship Monument—a monument dedicated to the relationship of the Vietnamese and the Cambodian people after the Vietnamese came in and overthrew the Khmer Rouge in 1979.

Shelley showing you all the Friendship Monument...can you see her there?

Erik's favorite tree...

Next up the Independence Monument that commemorates their independence from France.  You do actually see a lot of the French influence in the architecture and bakeries—we do love the bakeries.  It is keeping a nice layer of fat on us as we can never resist a stop in for a 50-cent treat!

The Independence Monument...like many things we've seen in many countries, it's under construction

The Central Market:  Not quite as interesting as the Russian Market (the Russian Market being a little rougher and used by more locals), but interesting nonetheless.  The Central Market is more expensive—relatively speaking—yet fun to check out, but do not touch anything otherwise “you buy!!”

Shelley wants to be in every picture...behind her, the Central Market

We see these everywhere.  Yes, they bake it in the pizza

Bling baby, bling!!

Funny Fruits huh?!?

Ice delivery at the market...FOUR!!

Finally, we made it to the Royal Palace, the National Museum, and the Silver Pagoda.  Beautiful architecture, interesting history, and a must do while here.  The royal prince actually lives in this area, but we could not get him to come and say ‘hi’.

Street view of the guard house of the Royal Palace

Same guard house with a picture of the prince

Front of the National Museum

Inside the National Museum...we decided we are not too into old Asian antiquities, but the architecture is beautiful!

Like the statue, this is how we felt after filling up on bakery goods here in Cambodia

Artistic picture of the National Museum, anyone?

Not sure if the guard is as happy as Shelley is..."Smile for real Shelley!"

Walkway into the Royal Palace

Do we have to take another picture?  Again, the beautiful architecture of the Royal Palace

First of many five-headed snakes attacking Shelley.  "Why don't they like me?"

Monkeys on the roofs.  Shelley still is afraid of them

Building in the Royal Palace grounds

The Silver Pagoda

I love me some lily pads...can we take this one home?  I'll carry it!

A small buddha on the grounds of the Silver Pagoda.

A miniature model of Angkor Wat...we will be there in a few days

The inside of the Silver Pagoda.  No pictures please!  Ha, I got one!!

To cap the evening off, we did a brewery tour in the north area of town.  A German brew master along with investors started this small micro-brewery.  He gave us a personal tour and we were able to discuss Cambodia living, the beer culture here and sample a number of the beers.  They are having a tough time competing with the local big boys of Angkor and Anchor Beer at 50-cents a pop.  Big surprise—third world country and he wants a $2.50+ beer for people who do not make much more than that every day.  We had a good time there and learned a lot about living in Cambodia from this German expat.

On our way back, we had our tuk tuk driver on a wild goose chase to find some items that Shelley and I were looking for.  After stopping half a dozen times and trying to explain (and act out) what we wanted, we found it much to the chagrin of our driver.  We paid him well and I think he was happy.

Some local Khmer food for dinner and then a nice stroll home…