This is our first morning in Siem Reap and we have free time until 2.30 pm. The first order of business after a sumptuous breakfast today is to get to a laundry and rid ourselves of our smelly clothes!
Outside the hotel the security guard summons up a Tuk tuk and we ask him to take us to a laundry and in a round about way we get to one which is not really far from the hotel. We have 7 kg of washing and that will be returned to us tomorrow.
Back in our tuk tuk and we head to Sister Srey, the cafe owned by 2 sisters Loz and Cassie formerly from Geelong. This is where Sam worked and hung out when he was in Siem Reap. We introduce ourselves to Hannah one of the other Aussie girls and she is very excited to meet us and so we draw quite a crowd of people saying hello. They are all looking forward to Sam's visit in the next couple of days. We enjoy a coffee and passionfruit melting moment before venturing back out in the street.
We are on a mission to find accommodation for when we return to see Sam after our cruise so we venture across the river to look at a place recommended to us.
We find the markets and Glenn makes a purchase of 2 pairs of shorts and a polo shirt for not much. The prices are cheap to begin with and then you can barter down pretty well. The most popular currency is USD.
After a bite of lunch and a couple of .75c beers we head back to the hotel on a tuk tuk to prepare for our tour of Angkor Wat.
Angkor Wat is the largest temple in the world. Unlike other Khmer temples it faces west and is inspired by 12th century Hinduism.
Angkor Wat took approx 30 years to build and began during the time of Suryavarman II. It's widely believed to be a funeral temple for the King. It has been occupied continuously by Buddhist monks and is well preserved. The intricate carvings on all four sides are original and the depict stories based on Hindu mythology.
We walk through all 3 levels of the temple with the top level involving a very steep climb up wooden steps. Although we have taken umbrellas the weather remains fine and hot. We stay around the temple grounds to watch the sunset at Angkor. The temple is an architectural and engineering masterpiece.
Back at the hotel we take time to freshen up before heading back down town with 2 other couples for dinner. We head off in 3 separate tuk tuks and get dropped off at Pub Street which is exactly what it's name suggests.
Dinner is a feast of spring rolls, stir fries, and curries and tonight the beers are 50c and a frozen Marguarita is $2.50. The total for the evening is $32/ couple.
After a quick look at the night market we decide to head back. A tuk tuk ride costs $1 per person!
Great day, ready to collapse in our very comfy bed.