Siem Reap

Siam reap We leave the boat at Kampong Cham and have a 4 hour coach journey heading inland to Siam Reap and its my birthday ! There were 3 coaches put on so we had lots of room to spread out and the coaches were really comfortable so the journey was really comfortable There was several comfort stops it really was an easy journey and seats were nice and padded We stopped for lunch along the way at 'The street restaurant' was really nice before checking in to our hotel We were staying at the Sofitel Angkor Resort & Spa lovely resort hotel with a big pool and pretty gardens I think I may have been upgraded as my room was a corner suite with a sitting room and they had put in a chocolate birthday cake and a bottle of wine which was a nice surprise we didn’t go out that night we stayed in and had a sandwich at the hotel as we were still full from lunch

Siem reap is modern now with money invested by the Chinese we went on a tuk tul tour of the city which was fun and a nice way to spend my birthday – they have a pub street which is next door to the night market ) with lots of cheap beer $0.75 and a mixture of local and European food It had more of a resort feel which I wasnt expecting - I thought it was going to more 'back packing' destination but money has been invested in the infrastructure

We explored Siam Reap on day 2 and had something to eat on Pub Street and got some bargains from the market. The shop workers were a lot more laid back than in Vietnam and we got some bargains as it wasnt expensive either.I bought myself a baggy short sleaved cotton top perfect for visiting the temples - they like you to cover shoulders and knees Pub Street is full of bars and restaurants and about 100 metres long and close to the night markets

Angkor Wat is about 30 minutes away from Siem Reap so easily accessible

Angkor Wat This wasn’t busy and very easy to explore but quite hot as you have to wear temple clothing ( cover knees and shoulders) it is only 30 mins from Siam Reap This is a world heritage site dating back to the 12th century we had to get a pass with our photo on which was $62 for 3 days entry We got up early for Bakheng Sunrise, but the sun didn’t come out and it was overcast to view the temples of Angkor then had a picnic breakfast in the Angkor cafe after breakfast We went on a Gondola boat ride for 2 which was at Angkor Thom on the moat which was so peaceful before making our way to Ta Prohm ( Indiana jones Lara croft) the jungle temple with massive trees growing from the stone , their tentacle roots poring over doorways

Angkor Thom The great city in Khmer Bridge of gods and monsters Bayon is centre piece of Angkor Thom its classic carved faces are fascinating mystical and eerie quality about it- it is more Hindu than buddist.