Angkor Wat

This is the big one, honouring the Hindu God Vishnu. The enclosure is a large rectangle which is about 1.6 km by 1.3 km, surrounded by a very wide moat and approached across a very wide causeway. Even in the dry season the moat never goes dry, so somehow the water beneath the way manages to support the foundation. This is the best preserved of them all and is the most restored.  Here is one of the seven man-made wonders of the world. When Angkor was at its height, it is believed that this was the largest city in the world with a population on 1.6 million people.

The Outer Wall

Just inside the first gate we find this beautiful carving.

We did not approach along the central pathway.

From the side the towers are reflected in a calm pool of water.

Another great spot for Jim and Deb.

The workers using this lawnmower were having a little break.

After climbing a few step to the first level, we soon found a very long wall of very detailed and very complex bas relief. A rope kept us back a few feet.

In the past, many years of touching had given some sections a shine.

Carved dancers (Apsara) appear everywhere.

More steps took us to a courtyard on the second level

To approach the central tower, a long and very steep set of stairs had to be mastered.

From here we could look down on the interior of the second level.

Beyond were the expanses of Level One.

This fellow was working very intently at something.

Straight Down the Central Road, from the Central Tower

Banteay Srei

Another frilly bus picked us up and delivered us to the first of our Khmer ruins: Banteay Srei. Here we were given our first impression of the incredible detail in the carving.

Over and over again we saw multi-headed snakes (Naga).

The Hindu God Shiva

The paths were very rough, but Deb was very proud of her success.

Guarding the Temple

From time to time you will have to find a shot of Jim and Deb.

Phare Circus

Tonight is Circus Night, but before going to the circus, we were out for dinner at a Cambodian restaurant. I ordered a Cambodian Delicacy made with fermented fish, minced pork, lemon grass, coconut milk and of course many other things. It was wonderful, much like a curry but with the fish subtly demanding attention. It came with rice and an array of labour intensive cold vegetables. Each bit of vegetable was manipulated to enhance the presentation. Note the manipulation of the long beans and the green onions.

Then came the circus. About eight young men and one lady performed remarkable acrobatic stunts one after another. The tempo and volume of the music ware high and the action was incredibly high energy. It was wonderful.

The lighting was low and the action was so fast that few of the still images turned out well. Here is one to give you an idea.

Videos turned out better on my camera, but they will obviously take longer to download.

Phare Circus on YouTube

Riding & Walking Around Siem Reap

After breakfast today we met for the first time with our cruise director so he could give us an idea of what to expect over the next couple of days. Then we rented a tuk tuk for an hour to explore the city a little bit more. Deb managed to buy a table runner made from lotus fibre. Back at the hotel, Deb decided to have a nap, so I went for a walk by the river. I found a very well-kept wat, so I stopped to wander.

The Khmer Rouge used this buddhist temple as a holding cell for undesirables (Thais, Vietnamese, Chinese, Base People).

This was in a large complex where many many temples and shrines were crowded
together. (ABW - Another Bloody Wat)

This represents the final stage of life, a sky burial.

The brahma bulls made me think of India.

I love the shaped bushes.

A naga is a many-headed serpent - forproetection.

Back on the street I discovered that some tuk tuks work for a living.

A Walk to the Old Market

In the afternoon a short walk to the Old Market was in the plans. Of course it did rain just before we left, but it did not actually rain on us.

Just in case people aren't sure what to find here, why don't we just call this "Pub Street"?

Much of the market was full of souvenir stalls, but right in the middle, we did find a local fish market.

Like everywhere in Asia, an electrician's job looks quite complicated.

Deb and Collette wander past a tuktuk. They are everywhere.

This is a view of our hotel from outside.

During the day, we were also able to book tickets for the Siem Reap Circus for tomorrow night and for the Siem Reap Evening Food Tour on Wednesday night. Now we have something to look forward to. Deb spent some time at the larger pool in the afternoon. Then our group rode tuk tuks out for dinner at a local restaurant.

Around the Hotel

This looks like a very beautiful old hotel with white walls and contrasting polished dark wood. Everywhere you look there are very beautiful and very inviting details. We soon discovered that the Park Hyatt Siem Reap Hotel was built only four years ago to include many antique elements.

Before attacking the breakfast buffet, we ordered our main plate from the menu.

This section of the dining room is outside, facing the courtyard.
The woven fans are operated by a big old electric motor (which doesn't work).

On the other side of the courtyard you can relax on hanging platforms.

The Spa Pool is just off the dining room. It is the smaller of the two pools.

Getting to Siem Reap, Cambodia

So it begins. We knew before we started that this would be a long trip. A van picked us up at our door. There was excitement and chatter. Cathay Pacific flew us to Hong Kong (15 hours). We booked into a lounge to wait comfortably for our not-so-connecting flight (12 hours). A frilly bus popped us over to our hotel. Total elapsed time: Somewhere between 33 and 35 hours. 

The lineup at Toronto Airport was very long and very slow. The flight to Hong Kong was very full and very long with very little sleep. The entertainment system had many movies to choose from. The lounge in Hong Kong was comfortable with plentiful food and drink. We had a shower and grazed. The flight to Siem Reap was wonderfully short, but maybe a little bit bumpy.

In Hong Kong it rained and rained. We were stuck inside.

Our bus to the hotel was very frilly. We were entertained by a running monologue.
(7 minutes and 9 seconds - nine is a lucky number in Cambodia)

Finally, a beautiful room where we can just lie down.

A wee stretch on the couch.

We checked out the coffee and tea service.

Wander through the courtyard

Of course a couple of cocktails will help us sleep.

In the end, Jim slept like a baby, but Deb woke up at least four times and had several reactions. She then realized that her insulin pump was 11 hours out of sync with Cambodian Time. It was giving her daytime levels of insulin during the night.