We got up to have breakfast which was included in our room price. We spoke about what to do today, the tickets to Angkor wat are $20 for one day or $40 for three. We knew we wanted more than one so we decided on getting the three day ticket and using this afternoon as the first day. We thought we'd chill this morning in the pool then go to see some of it this afternoon and see the sun set. We were ready around 1.30pm, we walked out into the street to get instantly hassled for tuk tuks. We went to the local shop to get some water etc first then a tuk tuk guy came over we asked how much he started high obviously. Apparently you should pay around $15 for a ride to Angkor wat and back with the guy waiting for you in between we managed to get it for $12
We set off four of us squeezed into the tuk tuk. He asked if we had tickets yet, which we didn't so took us to the ticket office first, they take your photograph there and then to print onto the ticket so there's no passing on unused days to anyone else then they get a hole punched for the first day use. It wasn't too far away, the guy had suggested seeing the old town of Angkor Thom today and the sunset closer by, we went with his suggestion. There was loads to see and the ruins were huge, you could walk all over them and there was even a used shrine right inside, they were very impressive. Although we started to flag very quickly, we have no idea what temperature it is here at the moment but its the hottest and most humid place any of us have felt. Hotter than the Bangkok guesthouse! We spent quite a while walking round and looking at the temples that were close by before meeting our tuk tuk guy again. He then took us to the temple on a hill where sunset pictures are supposed to be awesome. A lady at the bottom warned us that you have to cover up to go right up to the temple. We had brought scarves for our shoulders as that's what we were told but apparently it knees as well. We walked it anyway to see how far we could get, we got quite far before not being able to go anymore. James went up to get some photos while we stayed sat on a wall near where elephant rides were being done up and down the hill.
We got to see lots of elephants Sam and steph were in their element as they both absolutely love elephants. James came back but his phone had not taken photos so he went back up to capture more, that just meant more elephant time for us. He came back again as the sun was just about set so we started walking down the hill back to the tuk tuk. We got back in the tuk tuk and he took us back to the hotel, he asked what we were doing tomorrow, we said we'd like to go to the sunrise so he showed us other temples we can do as well as sunrise. We got the same price as today (eventually) 5am start in the morning! We got back around tea time so got showers and changed and started walking to a place in town called 'pub street'. It was a bit of a walk but not too bad, we found somewhere to eat and had a couple of beers seen as they were 50cent a glass. We got stocked up with water etc then got a tuk tuk back to the hotel. All very much ready for bed alarm clocks set for 4.30am!