While over in this part of the world, Amy’s number one destination to visit was Cambodia and the temples around Siem Reap, specifically Angkor Wat. You can check the link for the history. It really is one of the most spectacular things I’ve ever seen, and that includes the Great Wall of China and the usual must-see sites of Europe. Pictures do not fully capture the place at all, especially the intricate carvings and details that adorn every surface.
I will include a few shots of the temples and the town in this post, but will follow this up with an email blast with links to sized-down versions of a lot of photos. View at your peril. On the way back we spent some time in Seoul and I will link to some of those shots as well, but they aren’t nearly as interesting. After being in Seoul, I was very glad to get back to Tokyo, for whatever that’s worth.
While in Siem Reap we stayed at the Shinta Mani Club Hotel. It is an oasis in the middle of a very poor city in a very poor country. By Cambodian standards it is a bit pricey. We were there in low season (always the chance of torrential rain…and hot), but by Western standards it was a bargain. Truly one of the nicest places we’ve stayed at regardless of location. The service and staff were top-notch and never failed to be gracious, kind, and helpful…highly recommended.
Look for an email with a Dropbox link (or if I’ve inadvertently left you off the list, please let me know and I can add you) to view the photos. If you have any questions about any of them, just contact me with a photo number for reference and I can (hopefully) give you more information.
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- Angkor Wat from the East. Our guide took us to this little-used entrance and it was a very quiet walk to the temple.
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- Getting closer. The wooden stairs are a recent addition to keep tourists off the original stone. Up until a couple of years ago people could climb all over, including some very steep and dangerous areas.
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- It’s a jungle out there (sorry).
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- A popular postcard view (without me in it, of course).
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- Cars drive through one of the main gates to Bayon temple (my favorite). Buddha is watching on all sides.
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- Face time. Bayon temple has approximately 200 Buddha faces carved into the various towers. It makes for a happy place.
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- Banyan tree roots have grown over and into this section of one of the temples. Some temples have only been recently discovered and much of the damage done by the jungle growth cannot be undone.
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- This is a typical power pole. We were subjected to rolling blackouts (fortunately late at night/early morning). Looking at this I marvel that the power works at all.
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- Our tuk-tuk driver for the day (left) filling up the moped at the local ‘gas station.’ There are a few ‘real’ gas stations, but most gas is sold at roadside stands that sell it by the liter or half-liter. The most popular containers were old Johnny Walker bottles.
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- On the road. We spent the day outside of the main city and stopped at this village.
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- Tuk-ered out. It was really hot and this guy had the right idea.
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- Lotus flowers at the front desk of the hotel. Every day they are changed. The petals are hand-folded.
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- Drive-in picture show. On a dusty side-street people sit in lawn chairs and watch movies/TV shows on three screens. The volume was up loud on the center screen.
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- The old market in Siem Reap. It is a full city block and covered with a tent-like structure for shade. This vendor is selling meat and has some ice to keep it cool. Most have no ice and there is no refrigeration. It was in the mid-90s with significant humidity.
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- Even though the note at the bottom of this sign was reassuring, we stuck to the 50-cent draft beer.
Don't Wind Me Up... 
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