New years day was spent on a boat from Battambang to Siem Reap.
Disadvantages:
Slow
No food or loo on board
Uncomfortable
Advantages
See floating villages
Get to sit on the roof - such fun
See another way of life - it is the bus so as many locals use it as tourists - it also picks up the usual packages etc
Bird life
Beautiful scenery that is constantly changing
Lunch stop at a local floating cafe
If you can sleep anywhere - a chance to sleep off the night before.

It took a long time but was well worth it as we saw a different way of life. Pictures say a thousand words so look at the Album to see just how special it was.

We are back in Siem Reap just to see the temples within the Angkor Archaeological Park and maybe a massage or two to keep us going.

Day 1 - A day walking around temples produce feet the colour of these. We must have walked miles in the heat, climbed 1000s of steps and generally explored five temples. All were worth the heat, dust and sweat. Angkor Wat is justifiably judged to being one of the most impressive buildings in the world. The photos do not do them justice.

Day 2 - A day of contrasts from large and grand to small but perfectly formed. Bayon has some stunning wall carvings and the lovely faces you see on Cambodian pictures. Neak Pren is situated in the middle of a lake (at least it is at this time of year). Preah Khan is huge with piles of stones everywhere but again some stunning carvings. A great day.

Day 3 - A Magical Mystery Tour. We didn't know what we were going to see!! It took an hour and a half to get to our first destination. I had decided it was going to be good just because of the journey it went right through the park showing life for those that live there. When we got there we got out of the tuk tuk and our driver pointed to a gate and said, "it is only 1700 meters up there," pointing up a hill that had suddenly appeared in the flat landscape around Siem Reap. So off we trotted, over a very wonky bridge on to a "footpath" which you could see when it was relatively flat but at other times disappeared into rocks. However every 100 meters there was a sign so we knew that we were more or less on the right road. It was fabulous, just walking up the hill through forest, occasionally scrambling over rocks, often tripping over tree roots listening to birds and animals - the day had got even better!! We finally arrived at our destination a beautiful river with a small waterfall. Words left us as we took in the quiet serenity of the place. We then noticed why we were there - Angkor rock carvings were everywhere. Just lovely. After lunch we went to a small temple surrounded by water - I took lots of photos of reflections, Kathryn took even more of some of the best Angkor carvings that you can see - not surprising as it is called the jewel of Angkor art.

If you can get to this area it really is worth the money, time, flight etc etc. I have been here before and have enjoyed it just as much the second time.