We have now been in Siem Reap for 4 days and done quite a lot. We have been to see the sun rise at the Angkor Wat Temples (see pictures, which took us over an hour to upload so enjoy them). We went to explore the Night Market and Pub Street (exactly what it says on the tin). Today we have been to the War Museum, so sad. We have some more good pictures but after the last upload we will do these at a later date. The sunrise was a very early start, had to be up at 4am, we got a tuk tuk driver that was with us for the whole day. He took us there, showed us where to go and waited while we explored, all for $12!! He would sleep while we explored, we couldn't bring ourselves to wake him up so other tuk tuk drivers would hit him with a pillow, comedy gold!! The sunrise was beautiful and we were lucky as the sky was clear, apparently it was cloudy the day before. We were there for about 5 hours in total, by the end we were ready to go back to bed. By 8am the temperature was already over 30oC!! Matt turned rock climber, clambering up a very steep temple, I walked around the bottom taking pictures of him.
After an afternoon nap we headed off to see the Night Market, it is open 4pm-midnight and is bustling the whole time. They have spices, clothes, books, paintings, everything you could want. You can even pick up some Bay Ran's at a fraction of the price in England. I put Bay Ran down as a typo :-) I however had to bite the bullet and get some D&G beauties as my Primani specials died :-( After having a wander and being shouted to every single store 'Lady, you wanna buy clothes? 2 dollar!' we decided to find some where to eat. Found a lovely road side eatery, a place I wouldn't look twice at in England but is the thing to do over here. Got a Chang and some noodles, the meal for both of us, 2 Chang's and a big bottle of water = $5, thank you please. We found Pub Street but as we were getting up early for the temples the next day decided we would leave that pleasure for the next night. (Sorry this isn't all in order, it's the heat).
So on to pub street, literally a street of pubs, blaring out RnB. Matt's worst nightmare!! We decided on a Mexican restaurant, took our seats and settled down to a beer and a cocktails. The best Nachos I have had, yummy! Had a few more beers in some of the others bars and settled down to watch the Arsenal v Liverpool match in what looked like an outdoor cinema. After the football on came a Cambodian favourite, wrestling. That is all we can watch that is in English so we are getting quite into it!! About 2am we called it a night, tried to find a pancake and a tuk tuk. This however didn't really work out. I got taken hostage by two young, friendly girls begging for food, they both hugged me and wouldn't let me go, even telling Matt to get off their girlfriend! Even though it sounds scary they were very happy and smiley. After asking for my rings, my watch, my bracelet and all my clothes the tuk tuk driver Matt had found got them to let go. They even wanted my tattoo. So we didn't get a pancake but I made 2 new friends and kept all my belongings!
On our last day in Siem Reap we decided to go and visit the near by War Museum, which focuses on the Cambodian civil war and the rule of Pol Pot. It was a excellent, interesting, sad and a very eye opening experience.
When we first arrived at the outdoor museum there is a old MiG-19 and Mi-8 helicopter waiting to greet you. I instantly felt about 8 years old and wanted to go and play in these and maybe even sit in them. I'm not sure this was Belle's first thought so following an old shell which had 'entrance' painted on it, walking past the upside missle, which was now being used as a bin we entered the garden museum.
Before us was a collection of old soviet tanks, anti aircraft guns, and missle launching vehicles, inside just as 'cool' as the outside. However memories of fun and playing war, shooting my friends with a stick, soon disapered after we agreed to have a tour from a ex-soldier who now worked there. This was a very sobering expeience. He took us round explaining what role tanks and such played in the war. The idea of war and the pain this ex - soldier suffered hit home when he was nearly reduced to tears on several occasions during the tour. He told us of his experiences and being in the army from the age of 16. Missing 3 fingers, blind in one eye and remains of a claymore mine in his chest and leg he showed us the weapons of choice. He unexpectedly let us hold some of the guns there, ranging from BAR's, AK47's and rocket launchers. All of which were ALOT heavier than we thought, an alternative to lifting wights at the gym. Towards the end of the tour we were shown various types of land mines and one of many tanks which were used.
Although the tour was only short it was a truly interesting and sad one which also had light moments with the guide showing us his Bayonet skills, Belle flinching everytime a bug was in a 1 metre radius and my height coming into play - smashing his head on a low wooden beam.
So that was Siem Reap, we travel to Phnom Penn tomorrow. Journey starts at 7am so good night x