Into Cambodia
Trip Start
Oct 31, 2006
1
17
24
Trip End
Dec 22, 2006
Siem Reap, Cambodia
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Siem Reap is marked by incredulity. At first, it is the amazing monuments that we visit that are incredible to us- we arranged for a private tuk tuk tour for the entire 3 days to visit the great number of Wats in the area. But by day two its the painful feelings of traveller's sickness, nausea, and fatigue, that makes our very survival incredible!
Fortunately the hotel we were staying at proved a great place to run away to in times of need, particularly in the heat that was back with a vengeance. Sebastian had to force himself to visit the monuments the second day, and even then wasn't able to do much climbing (baby that he was! He claimed he so sick that he feared he would need to be airlifted to a hospital- which was thankfully not the case!). The monuments, though, were breathtaking, particularly those that we visited the first day (which kind of leads to a bit of disappointment later, haha). Our favourites were the immense world-renown Angkor Wat, as well as the crumbling Ta Prohm, and the face-filled Bayon.
At every site, we were accosted by tourist touts and many small children (some as young as three years) selling post cards and bracelets. They were adorable, but we did not buy anything from children as it encourages child labour. We did indulge in some wonderful fresh pineapple. The tuk tuk tour was definately worth while, as we got to enjoy the scenery between the ruins, not to mention the method of transport for the local people which sometimes included as many items you can fit onto a moto: we saw and entire wooden dresser and table strapped to the back of a moto, a large pig on a moto, and about 20 live chickens dangling from their feet!
