Siem Reap – Cambodia 2/6/16

Day 15

We were told to be ready by 6.45am for our lift to the bus station, which finally arrived at 7.15am. Once at the bus station we were asked to swop buses and the driver pointed out ours. So cases under the bus and we sat in the front seats to be confronted by an employee of the bus company, who asked for our ticket, which obviously we didn’t have. We were then escorted to the office, whilst we explained to the first person, second, third and fourth person, asking them to ring the number of our tour organiser who would explain everything. These people spoke ok English apart from, “please phone this number” because half an hour later the bus left whilst we were still in the office. We had however got our luggage off. Around 10 minutes later an office worker came to us and apologized stating they had found our booking for the bus that had just left, however we could depart on the next bus at 8.45am.
Finally we were on our way and there was free Internet on board so we were happy enough. The drive took 7 hours, through the most gorgeous countryside, quite different to the trips we took in Vietnam, no rice fields at all, instead hundreds of farms all quite spaced out. The locals men and women all doing their stuff working in the fields. I don’t know how they do it as it was 38’ outside at 10.30am. We made 4 stops Enroute, all at local roadside restaurants, all very nice and clean. One even had kittens running around so Tina was happy having her first cat fix in a few weeks. The bus was comfy, with air con and a film was showing (in English), however we were sat in the seats just in front of the back seats and the screen was by the driver so we couldn’t see or hear any of it. It also had reclining seats and for the first time in South East Asia, there were seat belts, what luxury. All in all a very pleasant journey. So much calmer than the roads in Vietnam which are chock full of bikes and cars coming from everywhere and all beeping horns.
Arriving at Siem Reap (around 3pm), we were met by a guide who informed us we had 4 temples to visit today. We were shattered and not wanting to walk around temples for the next few hours in the mid afternoon sun, so we declined this and asked to take us straight to our hotel, which he did. He added that we have a gala dinner to attend tonight so would be back to pick us up at 6.30pm.
As stated he picked us up and drove us around the corner to a beautiful restaurant. The meal was a buffet and we counted 8 buffet stations, not including the dessert one. There was everything imaginable to eat from Western foods through to oriental – delicious. The show was terrific, traditional dancers in authentic costumes, music, lights and singing. It also had a very Indian influence, probably because the Cambodians follow Buddhism and Hinduism. A very enjoyable evening. Here in Cambodia they have their own currency, but everything has a US $ value to it, tonight’s meal was US $12 per person. It was dark as we left the restaurant and for what we have seen of Siem Reap, it looks a very impressive affluent town with high end shops and malls which we will take advantage of when our 17 day tour of Vietnam and Cambodia comes to an end in 2 days time.
Day 16
A lie in today YEAH, picked up at 8am and was driven by private car (a Lexus), to Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom and Ta Prohn Temple.
Wow this was the best sight seeing day of the whole trip. Our guide said that tourism started in the 1960s but wore off around 1964, due to wars and the Khmer Rouge. It only picked up again in 1999, not long ago. Anyway these tourists sites were left abandoned in the 16th century when the Buddhists fled the area due to yet another war. Most of the statues of Buddha were either stolen or looted. Today there are very few Buddha statues remaining and most of them were headless again because of looters. These sites are now under UNESCO World Heritage Sites and the Cambodian government are getting monetary aide from around the world. The French and Japanese are providing most of the restoration costs currently.
Angkor Wat
Before we got there we were driven to a security check point, our photographs taken and then we were given our passes for the day. A strange set up, but a great idea. Our guide stated that in high season we would normally have to wait an hour or so to get these.
An amazing series of temples stretching around a 100km site with their construction starting around the 6th century and because of its size it was never actually completed. We were in awe and feeling very privileged as we walked amongst the remains. Most have been cordoned off with ropes as they looked as if they would collapse in a gust of wind, however the few we did get into were amazing. Our guide explained a lot about the ruins including that people never actually lived there, they just used to use it for prayer and worship. The main temple is made up of 3 levels stretching a few hundred meters, the first level – (ground level) – was huge, elegant yet massive, the second level – (just inside the walled 1 level), had far more ornate structures and statues. We even got to walk on the actual original stone steps which were narrow and steep. Here we walked along a huge walkway all with roofs. The stone carvings were beautiful and not too badly damaged. Along this corridor there were carvings in the stone that depicted ancient battles between the gods. Amazing. The 3rd level was again up a very high narrow staircase. Although we could see the original stone stairs, they were badly damaged so a wooden staircase has been built over the top. Once up there we saw more carvings and more structure to the temples. This area although very damaged still had doors and windows some doorways we could walk through. A very calming and peaceful place.
Angkor Thom
This site sits just a few hundred meters away from Angkor Wat, and it only took us minutes to get from one to the other. Here at the Western entrance there are still remains of the 100 Buddha’s, 50 on each side as they stretch to its entrance. The 50 on the left are good gods whereas the 50 on the right side are devil gods. Both side holding the remains of a snake like creature as if they were carrying it. This is one of the most photographic images that adorns the world when people think of Cambodia. It’s iconic. Once inside again we strolled around its remains. This area was where the locals lived, and again had many smaller temples scattered around. These were in a worse state of repair as not only did nature take its toll on the area, our guide pointed out bullet holes from the Khmer Rouge, some still lodged in the many pillars, columns and stone work on the ground – too many to count. The original stones many of them lay on the ground as they had fallen, centuries ago. Our guide commented that this is turning out to be the world’s largest jig saw puzzle. Again a very spiritual relaxing calm place.

Ta Prohn
This is probably the most iconic famous temple in Cambodia. Many world averting companies use these images for many products. It is where the temples are being taken over by the ever growing trees. Our guide added that the wood from these trees is useless, it cannot be used for furniture or even burning as is too soft. The roots from these tress are everywhere, in and out if the temples. He added that the French govern over this site, and their government not too long ago stated they would not do anything with them, therefore let them grow. This has proved to be a problem, not only are the roots holding the remains of these temples up, but they are also pushing them down and making then very unsafe. Nowadays the French government have ordered the trees are to be left alone, however they can be cut when they reach a certain height. Very interesting indeed. As expected these temples and the trees are beautiful, graceful and elegant in every way. We took hundreds of snaps today, so many that my camera ran out of batteries. They are as beautiful close up as they are on all the pictures you see. These are so “out there” they should be listed as one of the modern 7 wonders of the world. Truly amazing.
It was now nearly noon and after lunch our guide returned us to the hotel. We now have an afternoon and evening free, what’s more tomorrow our last day of the tour were not being picked up until 8.30am. Yeah another sleep in. Once back we headed straight for both the hotel pools, glorious.
Day 17
Picked up at 8am and driven to the banks of Siem Reap River, where the 3 of us boarded a very basic vessel to visit a floating village. This journey took around an hour, and we were passed by several other floating vessels. As its now the start of the rainy season, (even though we have seen very little of it), the river was low, barely enough room for 2 boats to pass side by side, but they did. It was around 1 meter in depth in the middle therefore each vessel threw up the most disgusting filthy sludge you’ve ever seen. We were splattered with this several times En route, but still we continued. Eventually we reached our destination, which is the biggest lake Cambodia has, (no shortage of water here). We pulled up against a larger boat to find out our vessel could not go any further. Our guide was talking with the captain, but to no avail. The captain just said if we wanted to go further we would have to transfer to another boat. We saw this as a scam and was not paying any more, therefore our vessel turned around and we went back. We did catch sight of the floating village in the distance but was annoyed we couldn’t get closer, as it has schools, a hospital etc. a proper village of boats on water.
Once back on land our guide dropped us back at our new hotel and that was it. Shame really a disappointing end to a wonderful yet very tiring 17 days tour.
Our 17 day Vietnam and Cambodia highlights .
The whole trip has been the most amazing experience and one we are so glad we did. We could have booked the trips as we went along but we would have missed out on some great sights and experiences. It was quite tiring at times especially when each day is around the 36 mark with very high humidity.
We loved Hanoi old town and would have liked at least another day there, Sa Pa was fantastic and definitely one we would not have considered ourselves. The added bonus was the village ladies who walked with us. Ha Long Bay of course, absolutely stunning. Hoi An, again would have liked another day once we knew about the old town. The war museum, seeing Ho Chi Minhs preserved body and getting to know how worshipped he is, the Cu Chi tunnels and the little boat trip through the bird sanctuary mangroves. The Palace at Phnom Penh, and once again one night in this city was nowhere near enough and the Angkor temples in Siem Reap were absolutely amazing.