The temples of Angkor

 

Fri 21^st Nov 2008

Awake before alarm went off @ 4.30. Had to be ready to leave @5am!! Quite a sight – row of tuk-tuks in the dark. Pre-dawn coolness nice at first, but did get a bit chilly. Arrived at Angkor Wat at dawn – so many people there already! Sunrise not too spectacular, but lovely view anyway. Amazing place, so big and so many intricate carvings and bas reliefs. Sat in a ‘restaurant’ to eat our breakfast box about 8.30, pretty crappy, but food. As long as we bought drinks, the owner didn’t mind us being there. Made it look busy I guess, or they had an arrangement with TIC. Little kids funny, all trying to sell something. Once they figured out where you were from, they would rattle off the country’s vital statistics. Keith bought from one little girl because she was the only one who knew Canada. Bought 2 packs of postcards to supplement the photos, $1 each.

Next stop by tuk-tuk, the Bayon. Another amazing place, but for different reasons. More compact, but taller and different style of carvings. Very crowded, which was a bit of a shame. At least we got to walk on it, they reckon in 10 years you won’t be able to walk over any of the ruins. Very hot by this stage, getting on for late morning. Walked by the Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King. Back into our tuk-tuk for return to hotel for a swim and lunch. Great idea! Going back out at 1.15pm. Not really hungry, too hot. Had a swim and a drink and some chips.

Into the coach this time for longer drive to Ta Prohm and Banteay Srei. Ta prohm quite incredible, huge trees growing over the ruins. Bought a CD @ Ta Prohm from a landmine victim band, $10. What they were playing sounded good, so hope CD is ok. Also bought book on Temples of Angkor $5.  Ready to scream (really) leaving Ta Prohm, the sellers were the most persistent of anywhere – like a swarm of flies!

Banteay Srei very pretty. Tiny compared to Angkor and different coloured stone, more pink. Took more pics here than all day.

Bought a lovely scarf at a ‘happy house’ stop $3 but Rita told me later it’s probably a 2^nd. Oh well. (Checked at home…nothing wrong with it, it’s beautiful)

Bought water from a lovely little girl at Banteay Srei, didn’t want anything else. No time for another swim this arvo – got back after 5.30 and had ‘homework’, TIC survey. Problem with the loo – was a bit blocked….

Ready to go to ‘Sugar Palm’ for dinner. Sandra Christie’s birthday so another cake. Nice food, not as good as Amok. After dinner went with Rita to night market. Bought t-shirt for Trevor, $7, only place in Cambodia (or the world for that matter) that sells them – Angkor Naga. Bought hanger for scarf , was $18 – Rita bought scarf – also $18. Rita haggled them down to $20 for the set! She’s like Obi One when it comes to bargaining!! She even got a freebie woven pouch to put the scarf in. Fridge magnet, bas-relief of Apsara, green colour, $1, should have bought more of those. Tuk-tuk back to Day Inn $1 each, too tired to walk, 10.30pm. Slept very well.