Statue in Angkor Wat
Planting Rice
Temple FlagsWe found this delightful guest house called Smileys. It was centrally located. The room had a fantastic balcony that looked out over the city and the best part was it cost $5 a night. We managed to hook into a nearby hotels wireless Internet although it was shaky. It was enough to send the occasional email and watch a late night streamed movie. After a week the local tuk-tuk drivers stopped asking us if we needed a ride. They even started asking us where our bicycles were. Reto and I rented bicycles for $1 a day to travel around Angkor as well as get out into the country side.
We discovered a great breakfast place just below our balcony. $3 buffet breakfasts were fantastic especially on biking days. Our favorite dinner places were the Silk Lounge and The Indian. The Silk Lounge had the best fish and shrimp salad. It is operated by a young Khmer family from Phnom Penh. The atmosphere was trendy with low comfy bed chairs and mood lighting. The Indian just had amazing food. For $15 we ordered Tandoori chicken, Alu Gobi, two nan or roti and rice as well as chai and Chang beer. Due to the fact that there are so many tourists in town to visit Angkor Wat the restaurant and accommodation choices are top notch.
Reto and I also bought a water heater so that we could make tea and coffee in our room. At the market we found a coffee supplier. A half pound of rich, dark, chocolate aroma coffee grounds from Laos cost $2. This was the most amazing coffee ever!
Angkor Wat is a temple complex at Angkor, Cambodia, built for the king Suryavarman II in the early 12th century as his state temple and capital city. As the best-preserved temple at the site, it is the only one to have remained a significant religious centre since its foundation — first Hindu, dedicated to the god Vishnu, then Buddhist. It is the world's largest religious building. The temple is at the top of the high classical style of Khmer architecture. It has become a symbol of Cambodia, appearing on its national flag, and it is the country's prime attraction for visitors.
Passes are sold in one-day ($20), three-day ($40) and seven-day ($60) blocks. Reto and I opted for the three day pass. It gave us enough time to rest and ride as much of the park as possible. It was hard to escape the hoards of tour groups, tuk-tuks and motorized vehicle but we managed to find beautiful big trees to shade and protect us. The park was amazing no doubt about it. Everyone needs to visit once in there lives. Even more than the temples the children of Angkor were special. These children live in the perimeter of the park. It is common to be approached by kids as young as three trying to sell everything from postcards to books.
Reto and I also bought a water heater so that we could make tea and coffee in our room. At the market we found a coffee supplier. A half pound of rich, dark, chocolate aroma coffee grounds from Laos cost $2. This was the most amazing coffee ever!
Angkor Wat is a temple complex at Angkor, Cambodia, built for the king Suryavarman II in the early 12th century as his state temple and capital city. As the best-preserved temple at the site, it is the only one to have remained a significant religious centre since its foundation — first Hindu, dedicated to the god Vishnu, then Buddhist. It is the world's largest religious building. The temple is at the top of the high classical style of Khmer architecture. It has become a symbol of Cambodia, appearing on its national flag, and it is the country's prime attraction for visitors.
Passes are sold in one-day ($20), three-day ($40) and seven-day ($60) blocks. Reto and I opted for the three day pass. It gave us enough time to rest and ride as much of the park as possible. It was hard to escape the hoards of tour groups, tuk-tuks and motorized vehicle but we managed to find beautiful big trees to shade and protect us. The park was amazing no doubt about it. Everyone needs to visit once in there lives. Even more than the temples the children of Angkor were special. These children live in the perimeter of the park. It is common to be approached by kids as young as three trying to sell everything from postcards to books.
I wondered where the expensive park entrance fees were going and if the local people saw any trickle down. I found this site written by a fellow traveler http://www.travelingmark.com/cambodia/apsara-authority-cambodia
I knew the Cambodian government was corrupt I just did not realize the extent of it. I really enjoyed the month in Siem Reap but I wonder if our presence there is helping or hindering the Khmer people. They have suffered such loss and hardship. I am not sure western influence is aiding anyone except the government.
Pump play
Living in Angkor
Fellow bikers
Kheng, a very special boy!
Angkor tree
Reto and Margo taking a break
Elephant made of recycled guns
Roadside gas station
Monkey around
Angkor carving
Child of Angkor
Budda temple
Biking the countryside
My time in Asia was fantastic. I met some amazing people and saw fasisnating things. Reto and I have now ''been on the way'' as he would say for six months. It is time to check out a new continent. Europe here I come, first Belgium to visit my good friend Celine and then off to Switzerland to meet up with Reto and Patrik once again. See you on the other side!
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