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Hey, sorry for the delay in writing this blog but its been a busy month. Cambodia was an amazing place which unfortunately we had to do a lot faster than i intended (5 days) but we were pushed for time as the full moon party was only a week away.
Our first stop in cambodia was at the capital Phnom Penh. Getting off the bus was our first adventure due to the fact that we were the only westerners on the bus and around 30+ tuk tuk drivers were waiting for us as soon as we got off. This was not a pleasant experience and was the worst hassle we have encountered yet as the tuk tuks were getting really aggressive with each other pushing through to get to us. Those that did get through were nipping, yes nipping me and chick to get our attention. Surrounded by about 15 guys each having hotel brochures shoved in our faces we both lost it (as sam mac told us he did) and just told them all where to go. Of course this had no effect so we had to go and hide in a bank until they all give up and left us alone. I can understand that this is there jobs but we really didn't need a tuk tuk and they were being proper d*** so I'm not bothered about kicking off with them.
Exploring Phnom Penh had to be brief due to our time there, but i did get to see the grand palace and walk around town for the afternoon. Unfortunately as i didn't have a camera and chick thought i had his (i didn't) we didn't get any pictures of the palace. Anyone going to Phnom Penh should definitely head straight to the lake for accommodation. Guesthouses here are a lot better than anywhere else in the city and are pretty cheap. One annoyance however is that everything in cambodia is rounded off to at least one USD. There is absolutely no point in westerners getting any local currency because they simply dont use it when your concerned. Obviously it works out that you will pay more for certain things so watch out!!
Early the next morning we headed up to the killing fields of Choeung Ek. Obviously a real eye opener this place was everything i expected, but actually being there gives you a whole different perspective on the cruel acts of Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge. Enough said.
Soon after we headed up to Siem Reap and Angkor. The Angkor Temples had been somewhere i had been looking forward to going for months so straight away we booked our tuk tuk driver for the next morning. Before i get onto the Angkor temples a quick word to anyone who goes to Siem Reap...stay away from the local dishes!! they are overpriced and rank!! Anyway, the next morning was a 4 oclock rise so that we could get to Angkor Temples in time for sunrise. Our first stop was Angkor Wat which is the most popular for sunrise as it faces to the west so the sun rises directly behind it (most other temple face east). definitely the best sunrise i have ever seen and was definitely a picture moment..shame i didn't have a camera!! chick did though so we got some decent shots on his camera which i will post as soon as he gets here (singapore) tonight. Angkor Wat itself is absolutely huge!!!! just the moat going around it is ridiculosly big and the building themselves make it hard to comprehend how they could be built in such a way at the time they did. Little tip for anyone backpacking who goes here..keep an eye of for older westerners who have folked out the money for a guide, walk around 5 metres behind and presto, free personal tour guide! cheap i know but who cares!!
The rest of the temples were all equally as impressive with the Ta Prohm being my favorite (other than Angkor Wat). This place is the only temple which has been left for nature to take its course and as a result all sorts of wildlife have taken over (note the picture with massive trees growing out of the walls). Films like Tomb Raider and Indianna Jones were filmed here which i will be looking out for when i get back.
Pictures of all the temples and the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek will be put up either tonight or 2morrow depending when chick gets here. I've got myself a new camera now (same as the one which was nicked) so ill start putting more pictures up when i get to aus.
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