Cambodia & Vietnam Trip – Day 4
Pictures from Siem Reap“>
We are Millionaires! Aud$351 = 1,000,000 Cambodian Riel
Had a filling breakfast & starting again! We were picked up, at 8am, to see more temples. South Gate of Angkor Thom. Bayon, Baphuon, Terrace of Elephants and Leper King, busy morning! It is extremely, hot, and sticky, already.
There was so much to see, extremely fascinating, long and hot.
Came back to the hotel for a swim, lunch and a rest, then out again at 2:45pm to visit Banteay Kdei, Srah Srang, Ta Prohm, Ta Keo, Thommanon, and Chausay Tevoda.
Ta Phrohm, has giant silk cotton tree trees growing through it, where it has been overgrown by the jungle. It is very hot, again. Had changed our clothes at lunch time, but now need to again!
We went up to Phnom Bakheng, to view the sunset over Ankgor Wat. Phnom Bakheng, which served as the Temple Mountain of the first city of Angkor, offers panoramic views of Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom and the surrounding areas. It is best visited in the late afternoon for a spectacular sunset or in the early morning for sunrise over Angkor Wat. Very, very steep steps, too steep for Brendan, so he wouldn’t be able to come up, but they did have elephant rides, to take you to the top! So, yes, we decided to splurge, US$50/ each to go up and back, so Brendan could come up with us, an experience we will probably never have again. It was very steep, and bumpy, but fun.
When we reached the top, we then had to climb up another 5 sets of steep stairs to reach the top plateau of the temple, from where you can overlook the area, and see Angkor Wat, rising out of the trees.
Of course it was overcast, this afternoon, so no sunset. Apparently, November to January is the best time to visit. Came back down, on the elephant, though, Brendan was very hesitant, due to the steepness of the track, however he was Ok, by the end of it.
Bought two books & some post cards from the street kids, then rushed back to the hotel ( 6:20pm left temple), as we had reservations for a dinner & local dance show, at another hotel in Siem Riep. Arrived back at 6:45pm and had to meet our driver at 7:10pm
We all really needed to shower and change, yet again. David left a huge wet patch on the elephant seat, from where he had been sweating, and he wasn’t alone!
Made it on time, dinner was so-so, a buffet, and the dancing was very Thai influenced. Have arranged for a late check out tomorrow and our guide is going to take us to another temple in the jungle, which hasn’t had many visitors, as it is not on normal tours, for an extra US$50. I’m sure it will be worth it, as we will not be back here, for at least, quite a while. I could certainly spend more time here; you never know what will happen!
Bought apples and mandarins from local market
Brendan hugged and kissed by a Monk at Angkor Wat
Water temp in pool is 34.5degC & still feels cool to me – It is so hot!
“Ock Korn”: Khmer for thank you.
