Blog 5

On arrival to Siem Reap after a monstrously long day, we arrived at our hostel to find we were double booked, And we re tuktuk'ed to 2 more hostels before we found a place to rest our ever more tired little heads! After an amazing introduction to Khmer (Cambodian) food of amok and loclak, (the later of which is in Bryn's recipe book cos it was that good) and a few games of pool with a bunch of Germans, we were out like a light!

The following day we were destined for the mighty temples of Angkor Wat. We rented our bicycles to do our tour... Need a bit of proper exercise. We were guided round the temples by a lovely Cambodian man, called 'lucky' who later guided us the 15km back to Siem Reap in the dark with the light of his moped, for a measly $12 for the whole day. Bryn took quiet a bit of convincing that that was actually a pretty good days wages for him, and we were probably the ones being rinsed!

Floating villages and mangroves up at Tonle Sap lake was how we spent our final day in Siem Reap. The tuktuk with our loyal 'lucky' was more than bumpy-neither of us were actually ill although I can guarantee Rachy C man and Nikki would have been!!! We loaded onto our own personal long boat (not exactly eco tourism as stipulated on the boat) and headed into the enormous expanse of fresh water which several Cambodian villages called home and almost fully self-supported their life with fruit trees, fish etc. In the middle of the lake, after being reassured it was safe, we got into swimming gear and nervously revealed our pasty white bodies and took the plunge. I required a bit of encouragement at the idea of jumping onto deep water! Turkish sauna springs to mind! Heaven only knows how fish survive in those hot waters!

On the way home Bryn and I couldn't keep our eyes open despite the bumpy road. Later we both expressed we thought we were so tired as a result of the boat fumes belching back into the boat, but didn't want to worry the other whilst out on the lake. Feeling fighting fit again now so no immediate harm done!

Later whilst on Skype to mum to wish her a happy birthday, she said she thought that there were crocodiles in that lake. Google later confirmed her theory and added there were also water snakes and cobras nearer the shores too!

Onto Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh next...

Love, Jojo x x x