Cambodia

My second day in siem reap I spent nine hours exploring the Angkor temples. With my friendly tuk tuk driver bringing me to all of his favourite sites I started at the more isolated sites Banteay Srey and PPP. At this site my driver parked the tuk tuk handed me an umbrella and simple said 'that way and Up 2km'. I realized about 500m in as I climbed up over massive rocks and loose sand holding my camera in one hand and the unexplained umbrella in the other in my dress and flip-flops that I had absolutely no idea what was at the end of this climb. But, totally worth it, there was a waterfall and river running over ancient carvings in the rock. And the trek back didn't take as long as I could simply jump down, luckily never hurting myself, and the umbrella even came in handy to use as a brace when lowering myself off the higher rocks.

Although the temples are breath taking, magnificent, awe inspiring, etc, etc, it was the journey in between that i really enjoyed, passing through small villages, seeing kids walking to school when we started out at 8, everyone cooking lunch on the fire at midday, and farmers or fishermen at work.
In the afternoon I went to the much busier central sites including Tah Prohm, known for its massive trees and routes curving around the temple. Next was Angkor Thom, including Bayoun, the terrace of the elephants, the terrace of the leper king and... . Finally we made it to Angkor Wat, full of tourists and lines that after 8 hours I was hesitant to wait in. The relief carvings around the outside were as impressive as they say, and it's big enough to get lost in.

Siem reap itself is worth spending time in. The old market is similar to the central market except for the smell... The central cross section is full of people sitting on the floor or tables selling produce - meat and fruit & veg although this is very inclusive... So if you ever need some chicken feet, a specific type of shellfish or some crickets this is the place.
Nearby pub street is lined with restaurants full of tourists where you can always meet some interesting people and this whole central area is full of people yelling 'lady! Lady!' with promises of tuktuks, cheap drinks, the best food and any and every type of massage. worth checking out are the fish massages, I paid the whole dollar for ten minutes after hearing Chris talk about it rntusiastically in Malaysia and it was money well spent. You sit on a bench with your feet in a tank where the dry skin is devoured by dozens of little fish, ticklish but enjoyable.

Also within easy distance are the floating villages. I visited the village on T
As it was the wet season the river covered the road and a lot of the village and fishing boats had moved into the river from the lake. All by slightly unwelcome very personalized tour with my guide Som I saw the floating school, shops, police station, fish farm and church (both for tourists). it's a poorer side of life but an amazing site to see.
"Thankyou, you ought to give me a tip (of course thats up to you though). If you are happy, I am happy! And I will be waiting here for you " <3

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