Hey!

Before I even begin on telling you all about Angkor Wat I feel that I should put your minds at rest about the Swine Flu pandemic. Amos and I have been keeping a keen eye on the bbc world news station and there is currently no threat in Asia... in fact I think I am safer here than you are in the UK.. so do not panic. However, do send my best wishes to the Clarks, although Georgia and I have been keeping in contact via email and I know that she is just fine! She is balzy... no pig flu will get her!

Anyway... I am absolute great, enjoying the last few days of cambodia and looking forward to not being asked if I would like a Tuk Tuk every 2 yards in a couple of days. Our hotel is an absolute jewel, we have free internet (albeit you do have to be slightly dog eat dog as it is quite large and their is only one computer... that is why I am writing this at midnight in order not to feel someone breathing down my neck for uploading photos) and our room as fan, hot/cold water and a tv for just $4 each a night... bargain. I felt particularly smug when a 2 travellers we met in a bar were paying the same for shared bathroom facilities and just a fan hehe. better hop to it and tell you all about Angkor Wat though...as I am tired and could be here a while! Oh the things I do to keep you all in touch!

April 30th- Angkor Wat Day 1

We purchased our 3 day pass around Angkor for a steep $40, but it was worth it. Today we decided to rent bicycles. In hindsight this was not the best idea... but you shall find that out as I write... dont like to spoil the ending before I begin eh! In only cost $2 and we got the satisfaction of being able to refuse every tuk tuk driver who hollered 'Tuk Tuk Ladeeeeee' (no that is not a typo, they extended the final sylabel everytime... it drives you nuts). Anyway, we set out on the 12km trip to Angkor Wat, which mind the crazy roads was actually very plesant. The thing is... although officially you are supposed to drive on the right hand side of the road, as Lonely Planet puts it 'this is interchangable', which is slightly terrifying when you are cycling over a roundabout.

We finally got there, all limbs still attached with perhaps slightly sore thighs as we have not used our muscles in months, and we visited Angkor Wat first. It was absolutely spectacular. I mean, for me it put the Taj Mahal to shame. The beauty and magnificence of these ancient temples was magnificient. Mum- I apologise for the amount of photos that there are of just temples and none of me... particularly as unless you are actually there then you really cant appreciate the photos- but they were so pretty. Angkor Wat was the most spectacular, with a beautiful lake infront of it and three stunning towers in the middle. The inticate work that went into it puts archetects today to shame!

After walking around Angkor Wat in the 38 degree heat (you have never seen sweat like it!) we cycled over to Angkor Thom, which is a slightly larger complex with the main temple being 'The Bayon'. What I found most beautiful was the vast stoneheads on its upper levels, which stare out at you. You would not notice them at first glance- but they were huge.

We then cycled to the temple where 'Tomb Raider' was filmed which is called 'Ta Prom'. It was stunning, but in a completely different way to the others we had visited. It was the only temple which has been left in the state it was found in, so the jungle andf temple are still one. There were trees growing out of it... it was insane. I did feel like a much less glamourous, uncool version of Lara Croft.

It was at this point that in all the excitement we left the wrong exit. We then walked 2 km around the outskirts of the temple trying to locate our bikes. It was baking heat and there had been a thunderstorm of gastronomical standrads as we cycled between Thom and Prom, so we were sticky and wet and gross and tired. You had to laugh, I mean we must have looked a right state. Anyway, eventually we relocated our bikes and began the 20km journey back home (oh... and I was wearing denim shorts... denim and water... you do the math!) I figure that we must of done around 35-40km in total, which is well impressive!

When we got back to the hotel we were starving, so we went out for mexican (my pick...) and the supposedly went for a nap before going out. However, I did not want to wake up from my nap... so we didnt go out. I feel sorry for Sara... I think she is travelling with an old lady!

May 1st- Pinch, Punch first of the month- Day 2 Angkor Wat

Today- thank god- we hired a Tuk Tuk. Although we were both in two minds to do so as the bloody tuk tuk drivers drive me up the wall! After breakfast at this qute place called the Blue Pumpkin, we hired a driver to take us to the Rolus Group of Temples to the east of Siem reap. This group fo temples is a perfect example of ancient Khmer Civilisation, and although they were not as well restored or impresisve as yesterdays, we still very much enjoyed exploring Lolei, Bakeng and Pre Ko- bulit in 850AD!!

These only took us 2 hours or so though, so in pigeon english we tried toask our driver to take us to more... he refused unless we gave him more money... what a k*** jockey! In the end he took us to East Mebon, Pre Rup and Banteay Kdei, which were all very interesting. It was great top see further examples of the different eras of architecture.

In the evening we hit the Night Market and the Bars hard. The night market here is beautifully done, with fairy lights and pebble floor.. but 'You buy something ladeeee' does become intensely annoying after a while. Never again will I think of the title Lady as one of stature, ot almost seems derogative out here! After shopping though we went to 'Angkor What?!' bar (a name that hyas enterntained us on more than one occasion) for some drinks to chillout with. On the evening of the 29th, whilst having some drinks, we had met a brother a sister from Milton Keynes who were on a short trip around vietnam and cambodia. We had played cards with them, and they seemed like really nice people. Luckily, this evening we met them again and enjoyed some more drinks... and ended up getting 4 buckets as with every 2 buckets you get a free T-shirt. Its amazing what people will do when they believe they are getting something for free... my bucket was disgusting, but luckily poor old david swapped. Was great to chat about Uni and what to expect (as these two, like every body else we have met, are older than us- the youngest person we have met has been 22, prompting most people to patronisingly ruffle our hair and act all preachy) but they were cool. Got in at 2am... Amos was a little worse for wear hehe.

May 2nd- Day 3 of Angkor Wat

Today we woke up late (shocker) and after a brief lunch we got another Tuk Tuk out to Banteay Srey (37km outside Siem Reap) The journey provided some lovely scenery, and our driver spoke better english than yesterday, so it was nice to get to know him a little better. Banteay Srey was beautiful, it was the women's citadel and was very small in comparison to the other temples we had visited, but made up for its size with intricate stone carving and detail. It was lovely to walk around... although after 3 days of walking around temples, Amos and I were taking our immature 'surprise' photography to another level... we basically try to snapshot each other in the ugliest ways possible so we can laugh at them. It is actually great fun- I got a cracking one of Amos yawning, its a keeper!

We then drove back, stopping on the way at Banteay Samre, which had a lovely ethereal atmosphere to it due to the laterite paving. It was really lovely. After this we briefly visited the elephant terrace and then made our way to see the spectaular sunset over Angkor, which relected wonderfully in the lake. The only thing that took away from it slightly was the odd asian man with a pony tail who kept trying to disgretely take photos of us sat on the wall. Amos thought it was because we looked so peaceful and artistic... I thought they he was trying too hard... and that perhaps he was capturing us for other reasons...

Tonight we have had another lazy one... we had a huge dinner at Molly Malone's Irish Pub (I know what your thinking but sometimes one needs home comforts!) and then came back to watch 'Shallow Hal' on Star Movies, which was great. And now here you find me... sat at a computer at 00.52am getting more and more frsutrated with the 'simple uploader' application for uploading photos as Java is not working. Argh... my temples are burning- this may also be due to the annoyance of swatting the mosquitoes that have congregated around me away. Like I said before... I really do spoil you all!

Looking forward to chatting tomorrow to you all!

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