Day 1 Cambodia

BUS BUS AND MORE BUS. We were originally told that the bus would depart at midnight and arrive in Siem Reap at 15.00 next day. We were also told that it was a direct bus and that it would not take us via Phnom Penh. Neither was true. 18 hour later we arrived in Siem Reap so did not get much of a day here. We felt sorry for a couple on the bus that only had 1 night in Siem Reap before going back. It would not have been so bad if it wasn't for the bumpy 5 hour ride between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. Anyway, we got picked up by our tuk tuk and taken to the hotel which was again really nice. We headed out for some food and to try and decide what to do for the two coming days. We were surprised how many bars and restaurants there were available and also the amount of tourists there were. We headed back to the hotel and booked our Tuk tuk for a full day to Angkor Wat.

Day 2 Siem Reap - Angkor Wat

We were picked up at ten by MR John and his Tuk Tuk. It was a nice and cool drive to Angkor Wat. We only had to enter before we realised how beautiful this place was. First we visited, Bayon, Baphuon, Phimeanakas, Terrace of the elephants and Terrace od the Leper King. The temples were amazing and it is unbelievable how they could have made this such a long time ago. Along the way to our next destination we saw loads of monkeys along the road. We then went to Ta Keo and Ta Prohm before stopping for some lunch. It was so hot walking around the temples and one guy passed out in the restaurant from the heat. After lunch we went to Angkor Wat and it was spectacular. It took us 2 hours to walk around only with a couple of short stops. Our last stop of the day was Phnom Bakheng to watch the sun set. We got there and were obviously not the only ones there. With no system in place to go up or down we eventually managed to climb the steps and take a seat. We sat for about 10 minutes but as the sky was cloudy it wasn't as great as it could have been. It was still great to see, just a shame about all the other people. We got back to the hotel and felt pretty knackered. We went out for some food and to watch some traditional dancing called Apsara. We finished off the day with the night market where Marie bought a dress and Martin a Hammock.

I would highly recommend for people to come here. It's so beautiful.

Day 3 - Siem Reap

After lengthly deliberations, we decided to go to Tonle Sap for a few hours in the afternoon, as we felt we had done enough of Angkor Wat and with the night bus leaving at 8 and a few errands in the morning, it fit well.We tried to hire Mr John again but got his buddy instead and so head out in the glorious sunshine to the starting place.We paid our $20 each (Cambodia certainly does know how to charge a tourist) and got taken to the small harbour where we boarded our very own boat.The driver didn't say anything (through the trip we learnt he knew no English), so with what we knew we decided on what we were seeing.We started with going through a very flooded forest, which was very much alive even though covered by all the water.As we went further on, we came to a village (what Tonle Sap is) which is not so much a floating village but more a stilted village in the middle of the water.It was evident that this was a fairly poor area in majority but a number of very solid houses made for a questioning thoughts.We passed through the village, where we saw many people going about their lives as always, with mass amounts of fishing equipment.We even saw pigs on a floating cage!Within the village there was one island and it seemed that this was where all the locals from the stilted houses would go to for school and prays.

As we headed further out, we arrived at the lake. This is the largest lakes in Cambodia (may be South East Asia) and it was literally like being on the sea, you couldn't see anything for miles.After a few minutes of just being on the lake our driver headed back down the river where we had come from.At this time, we started to think it wasn't quite what we were expecting.As we passed the island, we made a stop at the local floating café and was then told (via the café owner) we could walk around for as long as we liked.As soon as we stepped onto the island we were greeted by a few ladies wanting us to buy school books and pencils for the children at a healthy $6.We were walked towards the school and told that there were 40 children per class and then, having passed up the opportunity for now, we walked down through the village.There were stilted houses on either side and a big sandy area between which was scattered with rubbish and burnt out fires.People ignored us but as the only tourists, it gave us an uncomfortable feeling.So we headed back to the café.Over a drink, we started to wonder where the $40 we had given to the man on the front went to.The fee is fixed at a station a mile away from the port, so you don't give it direct to a boat owner who is probably part of the village.You pay to go on a tour and the village (main part) is writhe with poverty and it is unbelieveable.It can only meanthat someone is getting very rich whilst the poor stay just that.

After a while we headed back.By this point we were heavily disappointed and despondent with the whole thing.We definitely would not suggest this to anyone as a good tour.

We headed back to the hotel, where we rang Tigga to sing him happy birthday.He has got to the grand age of 3 now!

Then we packed for the overnight bus to Sihanoukville where we would be treating ourselves to a couple of nights in the Sokha Beach Resort (more what we were used to before travelling).We had been told that it was a direct sleeper bus, with a film, a pillow, blanket and then lights out for a restful night.We had seen a few in Ho Chi Minh City and they looked pretty decent.We got the wrong bus!!!!!You can see the pictures for yourself but it was pretty poor.The bus left at 8 and we were provided with a blanket but as soon as we left, it was lights out to pitch black.We did the only thing we could and laughed!After an hour or so, we stopped at the edge of the road and after a few moments we heard people mumering that this was the toilet stop, the bus people said nothing.Not knowing when we would stop next we headed off and realised that Marie would be squatting in a field.Not exactly pleasant (she says she saw two eyes and it was low, so probably a snake!!).Back to the bus, lights out and off we go again.Another hour or so and another stop but this time at a m restaurant.Again nothing was said by the bus crew but then people saw them sitting down to eat, so assumed we were stopping for a while.Off we went again and this time it was time to get some sleep.The beds weren't exactly comfortable and it was very hot but thankfully the earplugs and blindfold had been brought along which helped greatly.Then about 1:00 am we were woken by lights on and being told we were at Phnom Phen.So much for the direct bus.We sat and watched our luggage being taken off and then put back on before we headed off again.Sleep wasn't exactly smooth but Marie definitely slept more than on the train!