Day 7 Siem Reap.
The day has started with steady rain and quite cool for these parts (24 degrees) although the oven is turned up at our next destination at 37 degrees (but still raining!).

We have really enjoyed Laos and its people, who are softly spoken and quite 'laid back'. I shan't miss the cockrels who all need a new clock as they start sounding off at around 2.30am. In particular one cockrel has a serious case of laryngitis that he needs to take to the 'hen doctor'.

Being picked up at midday for a 2.15 flight that gets us into Siem Reap, Cambodia for 4.15pm. So a bit of a nothing day today - hopefully the rain will ease before we are picked up so we can go out and get a coffee otherwise it will be crosswords/reading for Julie and internet chess for me (not even time to go out and teach a monk!).

Well it never stopped raining so it was goodbye Laos and hello Cambodia, after a 2 hour flight. Visa on arrival in Cambodia rivalled Vietnam for red tape. A form for arrival, a form for customs declaration (that nobody wanted anyway), a form to declare good health and a form for the visa application. Our cunning plan to avoid queueing failed miserably when we were sent to the back of the queue as our form, downloaded from the internet to fill in in advance was rejected as it was A4 size and not A5 size, even though it contained the same information. I decided against giving open and honest feedback!

Picked up and dropped off at our hotel, which is lovely. We agreed some fine tuning to our schedule, which includes a 5.15am start for sunrise at Angkor Wat ( bet it rains that day!).

Had a glorious meal at a restaurant, the type of place you would pay £100 for in the Uk that cost us £25. The only mistake was taking a small nibble of a chilli that had been carved like a lily flower opening up. My mouth exploded. I understand chilli's come in 2 types - one time chilli's and three time chilli's. One time chilli's burn in your mouth only whilst three time chilli's burn in your mouth, burn in your tummy and burn in your.... Well you guess!! I'm praying that the chilli I had was only a one time chilli.

Of to bed now, at least try to sleep. Currently 30 degrees at 9 0'clock.

Comments:

Sarah T (the elder!) Have a great time in Cambodia! I'm astonished that some good honest Tonkin 'feedback' wasn't given at the airport! I hope for both your sakes that you had a good chilli-free night!! Really enjoying the updates!

Mar 26, 2015

Pete B Having partaken of the dreaded chilli I think that the 05:15 start will be no problem as you will probably be sitting some where with cold pocelain. Seriously it sounds like you are having a great if somewhat hectic time. You will need another holiday to get over it

Mar 26, 2015

Sandee what a hectic time you're having. I agree with Pete B, you will need another holiday (or a fortnight's sleep) to get over it - hope Julie isn't flagging too badly. I think John should try a three times chilli - he almost met his match at Waggamammas!!!

Mar 26, 2015

Judy and John Thoroughly enjoying armchair travelling with you through your blog entries! Hope the sun appears for you along the way.

Mar 27, 2015