Day 16 Sunday 17 September 2006 Singapore – Siem Reap, Cambodia

A very early start with a 4.30 taxi to the airport for the 6am jetstar flight to Siem Reap in Cambodia. Clear and sunny on arrival, flying over vast areas of inundated land forming part of Tong Le Lake, the largest lake in SE Asia. Picked up a car and driver on arrival at the brand new airport – only opened last month, very cool and with elephant statues.

Dropped the bags at the hotel in the main street of Siem Reap and drove out to Angkor Wat, 5km away. First call was Angkor Thom, a vast complex of temples and ceremonial buildings and spent the morning clambering over fantastic ruins of carved sandstone. Amazing to think that these were around 1000 years old constructed by the Khmer kings in the C11 and C12. A mixture of Hindu and Buddhist deities, originally Hindu but later converted to Buddhism.

After lunch at a noodle stall and being besieged by mischievous children selling everything from guide books to hats to bags and clothing we went to Ta Prohm, a smaller temple which had been left in the state in which it was originally discovered by the French in the late 1800’s, largely taken over by the jungle with enormous fig trees growing out of roofs and enveloping buildings. Very tomb-raider-ish with trees prising buildings apart, fallen roofs and ruins.

Passed hording saying “we don’t need weapons anymore” with pictures of people shooting each other being painted over with happy people on a tractor. Also saw an SOS village and nearby a Red Cross park with a sign saying “Minefield cleared”.

Weather very hot and humid so returned to the hotel, the Prince D’Angkor for a swim and a rest before setting out to explore the town just as it a thunderstorm broke. Jumped in a moto (motor bike rickshaw) to bar street, Siem Reap’s version of Lan Kwai Fong or Stanley Street with loads of trendy bars and restaurants. However unlike HK or Sydney, main courses here cost $1 or $2, with beers $1 each.

Weather 32 Sunny, humid
Distance driven today 0km
Distance from start 4338km
X5s seen today 0
X5s seen from start 7
Creme Brulees today 0
Creme brulees from start 2