Now Cambodia is more like the reason I came travelling. As soon as you crosss the border from Thailand the imediate relief washes over you as you leave the harsh world of commercialism and tourism behind. Even though we were heading toward one of the main tourist areas of Siem Reap if felt completely refreshing and slightly challenging again. The first was to get a ride to town from the border which notouriously try to rip you off. After more than an hour wandering round we had discovered that busses didn't exist and a taxi would cost us $50 which was eventually reduced to $14; still a lot more than a local considering the average wage, reputedly, is somewhere in the region of $25/month! Then we did suffer a blow out on the poor dirt road - minor issues!

Anyway, Cambodia has definately restored the time to crazy things ratio. The land where Mini-Marts are bigger than Maxi-Marts, a place where you don't really need to stick to your side of the road - only size matters. Our second day saw us head straight up to Angkor, a collusal complex of temples half renovated and half still left where the jungles had recalimed the once powerful empire. It is in fact the place where the start of the first Lara Croft film was filmed. The most famous of the temples, Angkor Wat, is simply huge where, although erosion has taken hold severely in places, the detailed carvings in the stone seem untouched. But of course this wouldn't be Cambodia without some bonkers things. To get to the tops of the temples you had to climb (and descend - actually worse) incredibly steep steps which, quite often, where insufficient to accomodate even the width of one foot. Couple that with no handrails and a 20ft drop from the top and it is enough for anyone to think twice. The other craziness for the day consisted of our choice in transport. We had opted for bycicles instead of tuk-tuks, steve hired a Western style and myself, being cheap, a local one. Much to my amusement it worked out better for me as none of Steve's gears worked (mine only started with one!) nor did he have mud guards which was a bit of a nuisance considering the thunderstorm we cycled in for the last couple of hours. I enjoyed myself at least (ignoring being runoff the road once by an overtaking Cambodian in larger vehicle) ambling down the roads with my brolly in one hand, steering my local bike with the other and my bag firmly secured in the basket, and yes, I did occasionally ring the bell! - even the locals, for reasons that escape me, appeared to find this somewhat amusing. Anyway, the whole complex of Temples is impressive to say the least and every bit as good as the ancient Myan temples of Tical in Guatemala. Although Angkor is a little more commercial and busier but then it was some 6 years since I was in Tical so the comparison just made could be unjustifiable.

So next to Battam Bang... One day I'll catch up with these blogs to when I actually leave a place instead of back dating them as some of you have noted!!