Acrobatics, bats and cooking in Battambang

So I had my first experience of a night bus from sihanoukville to Battambang. It wasn't altogether an unpleasant experience. I made friends with some cool guys from holland, Denmark and London so the whole 'sharing a bed with randomer' wasn't so awkward. The beds a little cramped to say the least!

I arrived into the city at 6:30 and quickly made my way to Here be dragons hostel with a fellow northerner! It was a great hostel. Cheap and cheerful! Despite the lack of sleep we were straight into activities as we explored the city and what it had to offer. A few temples and a crazy market! However I got a good feeling about the place :). Later that night a few of us went to the circus. Local kids from fairly rough areas take part in the circus school to help them keep off the alcohol and out of crime. And they were good, really good! The production was funny, challenging and heart warming. Even though I only understood half of it! Definitely recommend going! And it's all for a good cause!

The itinerary for the second day was cooking! Nary's kitchen is a great little restaurant and Took our Master chef was a legend. The course was half a day and included a trip to the market and recipe book. We cooked fish amok, port spring rolls and need loc lac! Mmmmm! It was only $10 but done very professionally and by a really fun and friendly guy! The afternoon was spent exploring a temple on a hill and seeing the bats come out to feed! There are a few caves around Battambang worth exploring but of you just say bar cave a tuk tuk will take you ready for dusk. And it is quite a sight! Literally thousands of them fly out into the night for a good half hour! But don't worry they are a safe distance from spectators ;).

I thoroughly enjoyed Battambang! A great city that a lot of tourists skip out on their way to siem reap. But it's definitely worth spending a night or two there :). And definitely stay at here be dragons and grab a glass of gorgeous wine at vintage!