Day Eight.

Woke up at 0700. Both feeling so much better after finally taking an antibiotic each to try and alleviate our symptoms. Went for a walk after breakfast.  [ we even ate breakfast] Walked to an ATM and on to the World Vision Office where Heidi was going to work the following week. We just wanted to see how long it would take us to walk there. It only took ten minutes from the hotel and we even had traffic lights and a pedestrian crossing to get over a major intersection. Nobody stopped anyway. We then walked back via the supermarket. Shopping in the air conditioning was a treat to escape from the oppressive heat outside. There was so much variety and well laid out but very expensive. We bought a plastic bucket to do the washing in, some cereal, [cheerios] vanilla soy milk in a box, cups of soup, baby wipes, 2-minute noodles, Dorito chips, aloe vera drink and lychee drink. That would keep us going for a while. So good to do a shop. We felt much better. Then it was back to the hotel to lie by the pool and some blogging. what bliss in our gorgeous little haven. Spent the day at the hotel. Watched lots of Grace and Frankie. Wanted to get our energy back so that we could get out and sightsee. 

 

Day Seven. Day In.

We woke at 0500 which is 0900 at home so still in old time. I was feeling good but Heidi was feeling poorly in the stomach. We lay in bed and watched Netflix which was fun and drank plenty of water. We got up at 10 am and sat outside by the pool for breakfast. A lovely soft breeze blew on us helping to cool us down. I ate the most delicious bruschetta with tomatoes soaked in vinegar on it. Really filling and I felt so much better for it. Heidi could not eat. We lay by the pool and I took some photos of the hotel. An easy day in store for us I think. This place is pure paradise. 

We walked around the block to get our bearings and saw the old market at the end of the street. We did not go in or stop for a photo shoot. Plenty of time for that. We will venture out more tomorrow all being well. On return we watched TV. and some episodes of Grace and Frankie on Netflix which are so funny and addictive.

Showered late in the afternoon and had an early dinner. Heidi had some plain chicken noodle soup and I enjoyed a vegetable lasagna that I loved. Back to the room for more TV. and into our pyjamas for a night in. Both tired. See what tomorrow brings. 

Day six

Not our best day. Heidi woke up feeling unwell. We did not have a boat trip booked and no planes were running. We decided to take the bus but unfortunately, no seats were available. We paid up and decided to get a car to Phnom Penh. Heidi was unwell most of the way and vomiting. Several stops and no food or fluids so she was very weak. 

Finally made it to our cute little Boutique Hotel which was so nicely laid out with rooms around a central pool. 

Crashed onto the bed for a while then showered and felt better. We had an over bed fan and air conditioning as well.

I did some washing as the bathroom was big and spacious then went to tea outside by the pool while Heidi recovered with some antiemetic medication. I ordered french fries as that was all I felt like to eat. Bought some back for Heidi who actually ate them. We lay in bed watching TV.and drifted off to sleep early at nine thirty and slept through till early morning. Who knows what this day will bring. 

 

Day Five

We slept in this morning. Down to breakfast at ten am. Found a tuk-tuk driver to take us out to the Sunrise Orphanage to drop off a bag of toys that I had bought with me. I gave the driver some toys for his children who were five and one years old. He was very happy with them. At the orphanage, we gave our loot to the guard at the gate and left. After the drop off we visited another temple called Wat Bo which was beautiful and close to the hotel.

 Walking back we went to the Butterfly Restaurant again. This time for spring rolls and more eggplant with tofu because we liked it so much when we had it previously. Tired and happy we spent the afternoon sitting by the pool before venturing out at night for Traditional Cambodian dancing and a banquet.

Cambodian Dinner Dance Evening. Visited an exclusive hotel opposite the theatre restaurant. Very opulent with ponds and plenty of dark wood, bamboo blinds and heavy wooden furniture.

 Going to the show was so exciting with the hall set out beautifully in rich red curtains and gold trim everywhere. We were seated on cushions on the floor with our feet in a stepped out a recess in the floor for comfort. Our meal was brought out on a tray with me having the vegetarian option. The meal was lovely and fresh with a green mango salad and some pickled vegetables. Lemongrass vegetable soup, spring rolls, with rice and tofu to accompany it. For dessert, we had fruit salad and some sweet pumpkin and coconut. All was delicious.

 After dinner, the lights went down and the dancers appeared. The costumes were colourful and magnificent with each dance telling a story. We were transfixed to their slow graceful movements. They were spectacular. Everyone took photos and videos of this wonderful night to remember.  

Day Four Siem Reap. New Years Eve.

Rose early and ate a hearty breakfast after a good night's sleep. Two small boys dressed in the saffron monk's robes were at the Restaurant waiting for alms. We gave them some money and off we went. Walking down along the river was a fantastic opportunity for a photo shoot. We had great fun snapping away. We stayed on the quiet side of the river and walked the shops. I bought a huge silver serving spoon with an ornate handle for fifteen dollars. It was lovely and will be functional when I have guests over. Bought two Khmer scarves and hope to buy more to make some super presents. They are great to use in Cambodia as they soak up the sweat that pours out of your body. I tied mine around my head so I did not look so bedraggled.  Wandering for a while I found some bamboo reusable straws in a small mini market. They are a brilliant idea and look so attractive. Always trying to recycle.

Lunch was had at an outdoor restaurant on the corner of Pub Street. (the main street in Siem Reap)We had rice noodles and amok tofu with rice. A thick mango smoothie accompanied the meal. All was delicious. Caught a tuk-tuk back to the hotel as we were tired and wanted to sit by the pool and relax. 

Tonight -New YearsEve. Time to party. See what lies ahead. 

A great night. A night that I will never forget. We strolled down to a local rooftop cafe and bar but unfortunately could not get in as fully booked out. We then strolled down by the river which was chaotic and crazy. People were everywhere enjoying the atmosphere and the pretty lights down by the river. Stumbled upon an artistic market so went in for a look. At a small bar, come restaurant we ordered some chips and a cup of tea to tide us over till dinner as it was going to be a late one.  Walking around the market afterwards we looked at all the lovely wares for sale but did not buy anything because we did not want to cart parcels around all night. Tonight was not a night for shopping only celebrating. We could come back another day. Deciding to move on and revisit a restaurant that we had lunch at two days prior. Ordered pina coladas when we arrived which were very strong. Time to eat after those drinks so at nine pm we ate eggplant pasta which filled us up. Sitting at a small table next to us was a couple and we started chatting. She was a New Zealander and he was Japanese. They had been married twenty-seven years and lived in Japan. She was drunk and slurring her words and stated that they had been drinking all day. She kept us entertained all evening and was just hilarious. When they got up to leave she tried to squeeze between two poles that were very close together and he had to rescue her before she got jammed. Off they staggered into the night together. 

Walking back to the hotel the roads were packed with people so it was nice to return to the peace and quiet. We sat out on our balcony on the bench seat watching the fireworks explode over Siem Reap. The night was warm and balmy and very comfortable to be out in. Finally, we went inside and lay on our beds with the door open, to take in the evening. It had been a wonderful night. We went to sleep happy.  

Bayon Temple and Ta Promh.

This temple is the one with the huge stone Buddha faces (216 of them to be precise on 54 gothic towers.) They are truly magnificent to behold. Looking up from anywhere inside the temple you could see one of these faces looking out over the countryside. It was glorious to sit in peace and quiet in a small courtyard looking up at these huge heads towering above me.

 Heidi went off exploring and taking photos while I meditated in the tranquillity of the courtyard. Several small children and some adults visited the courtyard to place stones one atop the other balancing them into unique towers. Fascinating to watch and very calming. This was a lovely rest from the midday heat.

Tuk Tuk on to Ta Promh the next temple where Tomb Raider was filmed. Here the temples are dripping with tree roots that seem to have overtaken the place like hungry aliens. The buildings have taken a severe blow and are crumbling under the weight of these huge trees. Rubble was everywhere.

 There are doorways with roots completely surrounding them. It is strange to see and very interesting. Everyone was busy taking photos of this strange place. Our driver who had waited all day for us told us to meet him out the back of the temple gate but there were so many of them we could not find him. Walking all the way back to the main gate was exhausting and so hot but on the way we found the most famous tree covering a part of the temple. Photos were taken again and on to find our driver. He was not out the front so we decided to ring him. He had evidently gone to sleep in his tuk-tuk and we had not been able to see him. Five minutes later we were climbing in and off back to our hotel. We were completely exhausted with sore dirty feet after our long day. We showered and went to a local hotel for tea where I had some pumpkin soup and Heidi had beef lok lak, a local dish. On return to our room, we watched a movie on Netflix about an Indian restaurant which was really good. By ten o'clock the lights were out. We were done.

Angkor Wat Day.

Today is going to be a wonderful day. Our tuk-tuk driver Mao picked us up at the hotel and took us to the ticket office for Angkor Wat. Following our purchase off we went to the temple. The sight of seeing Angkor Wat, its turrets of slate grey rising above the skyline was truly impressive. Crossing the bridge of large plastic squares that swayed as you walked was a fun experience. You wavered and rocked like a drunk and we had a good laugh as we clung to each other for balance.  These large squares made a pontoon-like structure for everyone to cross on due to the fact that the original brick bridge next to it was under repair. There were hundreds of people visiting the temple in their brightly coloured clothes carrying photographic equipment. Many a phone snapped away capturing the magnificence of it all. Once inside there were many stairs and large stone steps to climb but once up them, the view was amazing.  A huge courtyard graced the middle with the buildings surrounding the main temple. We spent our morning wandering around snapping photos and finally using our selfie stick which was great fun.

We got some fabulous shots. Many things impressed us as well as the incredible architecture around us. A huge white balloon was rising over the entrance Pergoda and hovering there. What a magnificent sight above the temple. We snapped away. 

Another was the beautiful sight of a sea of bright pink lotus flowers growing amongst their huge leaves in a pond at the rear of the complex.

We sat near them in the shade of some trees on blue plastic chairs drinking from a fresh coconut. So refreshing and delicious. 

Deciding we needed a toilet we asked a vendor who pointed the way behind some stalls. This toilet belonged to the monks quarters with a fee of twenty-five cents which went to the upkeep of the temple. We were happy to pay of course. They were the old squat variety with the trough of water and a plastic scoop for afters. Always a challenge. I  found taking my pants off altogether was by far easier and you did not get covered in water or anything else. Then it was time for lunch. There was one restaurant among the stalls so in we went. We sat on plastic chairs under a bamboo frame with a tarpaulin thrown over the top and secured.

 The view of Angkor Wat was incredible. Lunch was delicious and consisted of noodles and bean curd and I tasted my first Cambodian green tea. I loved it. I spat out the coarse bits of fibre in it. Looked like someone had thrown a tree trunk into a glass. 

Time to leave and visit temple number two, Bayon Temple.

The view as we were leaving Angkor Wat.