Soo-a s'day everyone.

We started the day bright and early... actually, it was pitch black. We left our hostel at 5a.m. with our tuk-tuk driver, Jiva, to make the journey to Angkor Wat, the largest religious structure in the world, in time for sunrise. It was refreshing being out in the cool air at that time of the morning.

When we got to Angkor Wat, we were amidst hundreds of others walking in the pitch black across the bridge toward the front of the main structure. There was excitement in the air creating a great atmosphere.

We plotted our spot in front of a lake where you would be able to see the three main towers of Angkor Wat as the sun rises behind them. The sky gradually went from black to navy and navy to blue with a few clouds in the sky. It was beautiful, the sun is so big here.

After a local persuaded us to breakfast at her stall by Angkor Wat, we explored the temple. The architecture is very unique and it's hard to consider how they managed to build it. It certainly is a fine Kingdom of Cambodia.

Throughout our time in Asia, Cambodia in particular, we've noticed people taking photos of... us. At first we thought it was coincidental, other tourists (particularly Chinese) taking photos of sights and we happen to be standing in the way. But it was happening more often without sights in the background and some people are less subtle in taking them than others. It's very weird! We guess it's because we're so white in comparison to others (especially as we haven't been travelling for long). So we've decided to take a photo of anyone taking a photo of us lol.

After Angkor Wat we went to see the Bayon Temple of Angkor Thom, a temple designed with large faces in the stone, and Elephants Terrace. We also saw some real elephants!

When we had finished at the temples for the afternoon, Jiva took us to the Siem Reap War Museum which houses a number of unexploded, deactivated land mines and bombs and machinery. It was interesting to read about when and where the items were used but sad to see the handicapped people who have lost limbs due to landmines.

Next we went to town to have some lunch and went back to the Khmer House restaurant we had enjoyed so much. Max had a Khmer Fried Ginger dish with jasmine steamed rice and Steph had a Khmer Lok Lak, with two cocktails and two sprites for $11.50. Can't complain!

At 4p.m., it was time to return to the temples for sunset. We were visiting Phnom Bakong, a temple on the mountainside overlooking the country. However, our first issue while travelling occurred - Steph forgot her ticket for entry to the temples. With the sun hastily going down, Jiva raced back to the hostel for us and we set out on our way again to reach the bottom of the mountain before the gates were shut. Luckily we made it, and were standing on Phnom Bakong as we watched the sun disappear leaving a gorgeous red sky. On the way down the mountain, Steph obtained the first injury by slipping and landing on one knee, leaving a nice fat bruise and graze.

For dinner we had some more local food at our hotel and headed up to the rooftop bar for a goodbye beer with Chanra. Chanra and three of his friends were at the bar, enjoying an evening off. We bought a beer for everyone ($3 for 6 people!), played a few games of pool with them and practiced speaking English/Cambodian. It's very funny when they say something wrong such as 'how are you tomorrow'. Again, it shocked us hearing about their life and hopes and dreams - they all work everyday for the hostel and earn only $2.50 per day.

So from sunrise to sunset, we bid you goodnight.

Steph and Max x