Day 39 – Into Cambodia

Magically our room last night in Bangkok is right next to today’s pick-up point!

We booked the Giant Ibis Bus Company to take us across the border and into Cambodia.

We expect great things after talking to others.

No bad, but not a patch on Malay luxury buses though – no tv!

Big push on safety from our host, no 1 safety record he said, then out comes a deckchair for him to sit on!

Also, virtually sat on my lap! (Pete).

It cost us $35 each plus $5 for the bus company to batch-process our paperwork in to Cambodia – avoiding our Thailand entry drama and me throttling Pete.

The whole process was very easy and certainly worth going with Giant Ibis – phew.

The lifestyle change at the Cambodian side of the border is immediate.

And not just that they drive on the right – albeit that seems optional ????.

A totally different style of driving – driver did not beep once in Thailand – it’s constant here as a way to say – I’m here!

It’s poorer, lots of school-age kids not at school.

Cattle everywhere (including wandering across roads) and dust, lots of dust.

We land at the bus station and are immediately grabbed by a tuk-tuk driver.

It’s so cheap, there’s no point in looking around for anything else.

Before he sets off he tries to sell us trips and sim cards.

This is life here, we soon get used to it!

Our hotel is right by the river in the boho bit, it’s luxury by our standards – Riversoul Boutique.

Pete already looking out for cheaper one! But I love it ❤️

Evening wander, and end up in Pub Street.

Good beer, people watching, see kids, and I mean wee tots, out begging and selling things for the first time.

So wrong ???? , but it’s one way of making money and school has to be paid for.

Make the mistake of staying near here for food, my meal ok, Pete’s tasteless but worse then the LOUDEST, AWFUL MUSIC starts.

Hasty retreat.

We are too old for Pub Street after 8pm we decide.

Day 40 – Exploring Siem Reap

Lovely breakfast and swim in hotel pool before we explore Siem Reap.

Love the laid back vibe round the river.

Find a local place called Tevy’s that does great food and supports local girls education.

An old rusty, Irishman volunteer keeps front of house flowing, and manages the queues!!

It’s very popular.

And for good reason. Great food and very reasonable prices. Aka cheap as chips!

Day 41 – Ankor Wat

Angkor Wat – not a made up word Sally!  – but one of the largest religious, archaeological sites in the world.

We researched online for a guide to take us there and show us around.

After reading great reviews, we choose ‘Geko’ as our driver/guide.

Unfortunately, to ensure a great spot for sunrise and to buy your entry tickets, we had to leave by 4.45am!

I shit you not!

We were there for 5.15am.

So were lot’s of other tourists.

But Geko knows where to go for the best spot and he doesn’t let us down..

Pictures better than words.

These guys have all lost limbs due to the amount of landmines in Cambodia.

Needless to say Angkor Wat is an incredible experience and certainly one of our biggest highlights.

The size of the place is incredible and you could spend days here.

Evening is a bit crap as I (Susan) have a migraine and we try out a posh place, renowned for its Khmer Cuisine- bland and crap.

Day 42 – Hero Rats

We shift hotels – cheaper – Pete has this challenge in his head to find gems at bargain prices I think.

The Cockatoo Nature Resort & Spa

(You’ll thank me for it at the end!)

It’s a washing and chill day.

Go back to our local Tevys place, for lunch before heading to see some rats..

..not just rats but “HeroRats”.

These ???? ????  find landmines.

After a brilliant afternoon being educated on how these amazing rats are trained to detect mines, we had back into Siem Reap town.

Tevy’s again for dinner, as Pete is a creature of habit.

I have my first and second glass of wine of the trip… Happy!!

I (Pete) had the best chicken burger and delicious draught beer – despite the unfortunate name!

I know we need to experience other places, but I could eat here every day!

Day 43 – Enjoying Siem Reap

Day off sightseeing today.

We have a morning swim in our new pool, accompanied by the water boatman and a friendly ????.

Pick up washing and stop at Spoons for a healthy drink.

Spoons is a NGO that trains rural kids in catering, its not a Wetherspoon pub!

Addicted to veggie and fruit shakes.

Afternoon and evening strolling and just enjoying Siem Reap.

We eat Cambodia waffles made with rice flour, coconut milk and fresh ???? coconut. OMG.

Then later greek gyros, my first non-Asian dinner since Langkawi. Sooo good.

We try to walk off the gazillion carbs and calories we ate today.

Back on Asia Cuisine tomorrow.

This is turning into a food diary I know!!

That’s it for Siem Reap and Angkor Wat.

It is an amazing place with so many stories, sights, sounds and food.

We’re also just scratching the surface of the suffering these people have recently been through.

We’ll no doubt discover the horrors of Pol Pot’s reign over the next couple of days.

But for now, we just love it here..