3. CAMBODIA

The final part of the trip oddly enough was the big adventure, the unknown, all saved for the last week ! 

Siem Reap (Angkor Wat) 
We'd been warned that everything in Cambodia was priced in American dollars, which was crazy. As a result Siem Reap was a little like the Wild West with saloons (bars), traders (shops), dollar signs and cheap booze and a posse of men on the streets riding tuk tuks !
Having orientated ourselves on day one the next three days allowed us to visit Angkor Archaeological Park and see the extraordinary temples.
After battling the crowds of tour buses at the main Angkor Wat temple we hired bikes for days 2 and 3 which enabled us to go where we wanted at our own pace. The larger site of Angkor Thom, the trees at Ta Prohm, the discovery of Neak Pean island and the ruins of Preah Khan all utterly amazing in their different ways. I've stolen a map off the web to show these places within the park, otherwise they're just names.

Angkor Wat                  

The jungle, especially its strangler figs and the scenery and sounds of the area was incredible. We have so many pictures - some here, some there…

Strangler fig tree at Preah Khan temple.

Then the boat trip to Battambang was another interesting hair raising experience - see the videos 9 & 10 >> and read the story

Battambang
This was a nice contrast to the tourist town of Siem Reap.  
Sadly the main attraction - the bamboo railway - had closed just the month before, but we passed the time at our lovely hotel with its relaxing pool area and just wandered around town. Margaret even managed to head-butt a street sign, which slowed her up and dented her forehead but it didn't stop her doing a 25 km bike ride on a dusty main road, not good for cycling, to Phnom Sampov temple even with the bike breaking down on the way back.

Taking the bus back to Bangkok through the border town of Poipet confirmed what I felt, that Cambodia reminded me of Thailand 30 years ago. Once across the border, today's Thailand is more modern and prosperous. Bangkok, a flash 21st century city of bright lights and culture clash.

–  THE END  –

There's more though:
See Photo Gallery 
and Video links >