So the night before turned into a rather messy affair, a two thirty finish and wading down the road back to the hotel due to the torrential rain seemed like a perfectly good idea at the time. Hell, why wouldn't it be?

Unfortunately the late night wasn't so good when we were meant to be up and on the bus to head for the Cambodian border at 7 that morning. Kate and I set several alarms, none of which went off, whether anyone believes that I'll never know, but we were awoken by a phone call to our room form our tour guide Aj, who we convinced we were up andout of bed. Of course we weren't and had to frantically pack and dress, still I think in a drunken haze.

Apologies over, and the loooong bus journey began, much of which was spent asleep, thankfully air conditioning was provided. We eventually reached the border after around four hours on the road, but then there was worse, heat, hangover and rediculously heavy rucksacks does not equal a good combination. However, all was over in around an hour when we crossed the border, four stamps were put in the passpost along with a police check. Done and dusted.

Wow, already having only crossed the border, there is a clear difference between Thailand and Cambodia. Grand hotels are situated next to tiny shacks, yet none of the immediate surrounding are actually landscaped or made to be ore attractive. It's quite bizare really.

We clamberd on board yet another bus, for only 2 or 3 hours; we were expecting a six hour journey to the town of Siam Reap, due to poor road conditions, but the rpad had been redeveloped very recently, which of course was appreciative. The scenery is odd, and so different from the small part I have seen of Thailand. In some instances whilst sitting on an air conditioned bus, ans staring out at the passing by landscape, it could be somewhere form home. Vast open fields, sparse expanses of nothingness but a few trees and bushes; yet there are quick reminders that we are a long way from home and in a poverty stricken country. Litter lines the streets and fields, tiny wooden shacks stand on stilts, due to the sheer amount of floodwater occupying the land. Murky large puddles are along along the fields, and every now and then a small child's had will appear and surface. Driving along, it did make me wonder how these countries will ever be able to properly develop; there's so much to do; yet where would you even start to begin to tackle the issues.

We arrivd in Siam Rea, a town which is home to the eigth wonder of the world apparantly - Angkor Wat - the largest temple in the world. My facts may not be quite right at the moment, as I don't have my guidebook, so I may have to revise some parts of this later! After an evening meal and watching some traditional Cambodia dancing, we headed to the hotel for a good night's sleep, which was definately needed.

Ok, so the sleep was good, but it certainly wasn't long enough - after receiveing a early morning wake up call - 4.30am, we sat up and got out of bed like zombies. Yes, we were up and dressed at this rediculous hour to head to Angkor Wat for sunrise; he views supposedly spectacular although it's hard to be enthusiastic about anything that early in the morning.

A beautiful sunrise it certainly was not. It was raining. ot just drops; torrential. Plus there were hundreds of big flying bugs everywhere. Not the best experience. Angkor Wat is pretty impressive though, I'm sure more so in the sunshine, and especially for those lucky one's who get to experience this ámazing sunset'. I however, have to settle for a postcard of this spectacular sceney. Nevertheless, we trawled through the rain for four hours, to look at the temple and its surrounding area. Unfortunately, we didn't all appreciate it as much as we probably should have. Hungry for breakfast, sleep deprived, and sodden clothes don't exactly make for an enthusiastic bunch. Some say, walking down the path to Angkor Wat is some sort of amazing spiritual experience; not one of us felt this...

After drying off at the hotel over breakfast. it was time to head out again, to lots and lots more temples. Our guide was extremely knowledgable, but insisted on giving us every minute detail on what felt like each stone. So although he talked and talked I took very little in; I would have much preferred, and probably remembered a lot more if he had given a brief overview of each temple, and what it represented; rther than recounting chapters from a history book. We visited about five or six more temples - again the ames of which I will have to come back to. One was covered smiley faces, I realise that sounds very odd, but they are stone carved faces all staring out, so at the time, the King could 'keep an eye'on everyone else. All of the temples had stupidly steep steps to reach the tops, or the many different levels. Now, picture this, a reallt hish flight of srone stairs, many of which weren't whole or level, all at 70% if not steeper towards the top; they looked vertical. Now, sense the fera. Heights are ad enough at the best of timesl but edges are a killer. One hundred steps, is one hundred edges, and for those of you that know me well, me and edges, not really great friends. So here I am; clambering up these steps, stuck to the edge and hugging the brick at the sides r dear life. I manage two flights of these steps, each time greeting a new platform, getting further and further form the ground. I attempt the last flight upto the summit. I get about half way, then suddenly I feel as though my legs are about to crack and give way. I look around, and the ground seems so far away. Panic set;s in, I have to tun back; the last few steps are always the steepest, and so so thin, there are clearly no grounds for healtha nd safety here whatsoever. Slowly, I edge back down, feet placed sideways, as te steps aren't wideenough to cater for a whole foot - ys they are actually that thin. I hug eacj step, I'm physically shacking, trying to put all my weight on my arms, as I don't trust my spatial awareness, and one wrong foot could nd in death. Yes, I had that thought whilst climbing down, which was a real conidence boost. Made it; only twon more flights to go. Y applied the smae technique to each, and the feeling felt amazing as I touched down on the ground. mY legs were still shalken up though; but hey, I was pretty proud of myself for even goin up the first flight.

The final temple we visited, was ust nestled inside the jungle, and looks like it has just been dropped ou a film set, appropriate as it played host for the set of the file Tomb Raider. This temple was amazing, huge trees and their roots were entwined around the rock, and growing into and on top of the temple, it was truly unbelievable. Mum, you would have loved it!

will update and finish this entry soon, no time xx