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Well lots has happened since our last update!
Our cooking course was fantastic-Liz got 10 out of ten for her spring rolls. I got 11.(no he didn't!) With another temple under our belt, we set off for pastures new-Cambodia!
We travelled on bus overnight from Chiang Mai to Bangkok. Far from the comfiest, but it did the job. Then our 7am bus to the border finally set off at 9. Not impressed, but that seems to be how things work in Thailand! Then crossed border, greeted by a hoarde of kids asking for money and trying to get their hands into our pockets-we had been warned, so were on our guard! By 3pm we were shattered and the thought of a further 6 hour journey on a bus on a road that can be described as compacted clay plus many landmine craters was not so appealing, so we splashed out on a 4 hour taxi journey instead.
The main draw to Siam Reap are the temples of Angkor, and it's easy to see why. We hired electric bicycles to explore them, in the hope of combining exercise and speed, but in fact it ended up being little more than a slow scooter. Great fun, but not much of the exercise! One day was not enough so the next day we hired the services of a tuk-tuk driver for the day. At $10 a day it's not a bad deal, though you feel kinda bad when we spend more on a meal (note the poetic expertise.) Its too hard to describe what they are like so you'll just have to wait for the photos, but suffice to say they really are awe inspiring and something that everyone should visit at least once.
We also had time to fit in a visit to the land mine museum (we use the term 'museum' loosely.) It's little more than a few huts filled with various grenades, bombs and land mines left over from the conflicts in Cambodia in recent years. However, it was still very moving to see, as it is just one guy who goes to clear the mines with very little government assistance. With the donations he collects he helps child victims of land mines get an education and give them a roof over their heads.
Finally, we went to the see the floating village on the Tonle Sap lake. As bizarre as it sounds, that is exactly what it is. We took a boat and drifted past the local primary school, hospital, pool hall, pig pens, markets and everyone's houses! Oh...did we mention the floating crocodile enclosures?!!
So our time in Siam Reep ends, as we have booked a bus tomorrow morning to take us on to the capital Phnom Penh. Thankfully, we still have a few days in Cambodia until we fly back to Bangkok on Saturday. It is a great country, and you really wonder how the people can even crack a smile after what the country's been through recently.
So until our next update, we wish you all goodbye!
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