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In the spirit of continuing to maximize our culture shock from country to country, we decided to jump from Japan to Cambodia. We went from fiercely organized mega-cities with fantastic public transportation and infrastructure to organically grown towns and tuc-tucs. From understanding a wee bit of Japanese, to understanding absolutely zero Khmer. And maybe most impactfully: we went from pleasant and comfortable highs of 75, to highs of over 100 with 80% humidity.
We spent most of our time in Siem Reap taking in as many temples and sights as we could see before we started to melt. It is amusing the amount of strategic planning that can go into how, when, and where to walk, eat, shop, and take a breezy tuc-tuc ride in order to avoid dissolving into a puddle.
As for the sights, the photos absolutely do not do the temples justice. It was like we were constantly walking around in an Indiana Jones movie (but not part 4, which was one of the biggest movie travesties of all time. It literally makes me (Charley) ill thinking of that farce of a sequel). :)
The temples are amazingly (we know we overuse that word) ancient, ornate, and peaceful. We saw Angkor Wat twice - once during the day and once for sunrise - both were spectacular - it really is a special place. We felt that many of the other temples were equally wonderous though. We heard that some people get "temple-fever' after too many, but it was the heat that did us in each day versus the actual temple-hopping.
Highlights
- Angkor Wat at sunrise
- Ta Prohm - trees growing in, around, and through the temples
- Angkor Thom and Bayon
- The people - we just adored the Khmer people that we met
- Hotel Siam Siem Reap - best hotel yet! Clean, comfortable, fantastic staff, great restaurant, perfect pool.
Thankfully we totally lucked out, because we got to say in the best hotel in all of Siem Reap - and maybe all of Cambodia (big plug for Siam Siem Reap here) who took fantastic care of us. We had huge breakfasts to get us energized and hydrated and their tuc-tuc drivers took us wherever we wanted to go and got us back safe and sound. In addition to the temples and the lovely hotel, the people in Cambodia were phenomenal. There was, of course, the normal tourist fanfare in town with the offers of tuc-tuc rides, tours, and souvenirs - but the Cambodian people we encountered were incredibly friendly, generous, and kind. We made friends with one particular fellow who dreams of moving to Thailand to farm so that he can help support his parents and 7 siblings.
All in all, Siem Reap and Angkor were wonderful. We originally thought we might also visit Phnom Penh as well, but we are so glad to have spent our time in this one lovely little town.
- comments
Kathy Glad to hear your still doing ok and enjoying what you see.
Catie Loving the selfies y'all
Mom Aunt Martha says she wishes she was young and able to have taken that trip with you! She just had her 87th birthday yesterday. We all miss you very much! your trip is fantastic. really fun to read about! love love love you!