Oct 27 - Nov 2
10-27: A quick update, or an excuse to get that dumb snake story off the page? You decide. I have a proper update brewing, but it needs to ferment a bit..and I'd like to hit the net when I don't need a shave by the time each picture gets done uploading. (read SLOW). Tomorrow we head for Cambodia, and sometime soon I'll catch up on the pictures. Until then, write!
10-29: Again, I'm pressed for time. We had an incredible day of buses, motorbikes, pick ups..nearly every mode of transport possible, save Jay's favorite - the Donkey, on our way to Siem Reap in Cambodia. Tomorrow Angkor Wat - the Big Dog of things to see in Southeast Asia. I hope to have many fine pictures to share, and time to write. I do have a few photos of the Grand Palace in Bangkok for you to check out. More soon.
11-2: Jay and I met a few British girls in Bangkok - Emma, Jo and Cat to be exact. Despite the fact they talk funny, and are bullies in general, we've managed to have a cracking time with them. The 5 of us, along with an Israeli named Shai (who refuses to wear anything but orange pants), all made the epic 14 hour trudge from Bangkok to Siem Reap in the back of a pick up. Cambodia is a lush and vibrant land. The 'bursting-with-life' green countryside wears a nightly crown of stars that seem close enough touch, especially when being launched skywards by endless elephant sized pot holes. Siem Reap, the base of operations for Angkor Wat, is a fine little town and we settled in nicely at the Get Lucky guest house.
We had the motorbikes humming by 5:30 a.m., and were off for a day of exploring. The area is chock full of incredible and diverse wats (buddhist temples), but the daddy wat, and namesake for the whole place is Angkor Wat. It's surrounded by a picturesque mote which does piss poor job of keeping the swarms of little kids selling post cards out. Inside the walls are elaborate temples, tombs and statues. A great plain of grass stretches around the main building, and on it roams huge nomadic herds of...little kids selling postcards.
We spent a couple hours in Angkor, and then (no and then! AND THEN. NO AND THEN!) hit as many of the other wats as daylight would allow. We climbed the highest temple at dusk and relaxed to pools of pastel oil spot color oozing round the clouds - lightning sparks crisping the air - stoic temples jutting through the canopy like uncut gems spilt on a green shag carpet - and the weary satisfaction of a wonderul day.
Since then, the 5 of us have zipped into the capital city, Phnom Penh. We'll be here a couple days and then off to the beach. Cambodia is a very pleasant surprise and I look forward to having more to share soon. Word.
Who would have imagined..a kissing booth in Angkor Wat?
Back To Main