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Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} Phil and I arrived in Siem Reap after the most beautiful journey through Cambodia. Crossing the border was pretty harrowing as some of the poorest people wait there trying the sell you things or just begging for money. There are such small children holding tiny babies that look like they could drop at any moment. The crossing is known for being quite dangerous as backpackers just stand out so much. We were very well looked after, but the whole process took about two hours. It's a real change from the party atmosphere of Khoa San Road. We travelled the Thai side to the border in a big coach, but on the other side we had a very small and slightly scary looking metal framed open van waiting for us. This only took us a little way, and then we were all put in a ten person people-carrier. We had been warned of the bumpy roads, but nothing had prepared us for this. It was crazy. The journey ended up taking about 7 hours, but the views were amazing. All along the road side were small huts and families working. We saw very small children fishing in streams, and playing by the road. We would see other vehicles driving past - often trucks with up to 30 people scattered all over them - on the roof, on the bonnet. These we people working in the fields being taken to and from work. It got a little scary as it got dark as you couldn't see a thing and the roads didn't ease up at all. We arrived at our accommodation late, and Phil and I passed out almost straight away.
The next day we went out to the floating villages where a guide took us out on a boat to see the huts closer up. We saw young children out on boats fishing and trying to sell us drinks. The houses were built on long beams out of the water and the people stay in these homes almost all 12 months of the year, except when the water becomes too high. There were schools, and even a basketball court up above the water. One guy even had a battery controlled television.
The next three days we spend visiting the temples at Angkor. The first day we got up really early and saw the sunrise over Angkor Wat. We then went on foot around some of the more surrounding temples. The next day we went a little further out by tuk tuk, and got to see some of the most extravagant of the temples, including he one used in the Tomb Raider films. The third day Phil and I hired push bikes and rode out to the more distant temples. The ride was fantastic - it was completely flat, but allowed us to really see the stunning rice fields that surrounded the temples. We were silly because we didn't end up riding back till late and it had already got dark. It was really scary and we went send back from the route we wanted to take as we were told it was too dangerous. We were attacked by bugs on the way home and were terrified as we had no lights!
Everything has just been so fantastic so far, and I am absolutely in love with Cambodia - its such a beautiful place. I do feel safe, but I will see how this changes when I am on my own. I am not scared about talking to people, but its just that sometimes there aren't people there to talk to! I am reading alot (when I get the chance), and have loved books about the killing fileds, and the Kymer Rouge - I will see the killing fileds over the next few days, and am expecting to find this quite harrowing.
We have seen pretty much all the temples, and gone along the floating village. The people here are just gorgeous, and although you are constantly pestered for money, they all laugh along with it! The young girls are such excellent sales people - you just can't say no sometimes! We went to a completetly Cambodia nightclub the other night, which was brilliant. The three boys we have been with for a while were invited by some Cambodian waitresses. Its was abit scary at first, but we just got involved, and were dancing with everyone before long!
Im staying in Siem Reap, but travelling down to Phnum Penh tomorrow morning - and this will be on my own! I feel ready to do things on my own and feel safe, so we will just have to see.
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