The temples of Battambang

From Phnom Penh in the South West of Cambodia we travelled by bus to Battambang, a small town 5 hours away from Siem Reap. When we got off the bus we were hounded by moto drivers and so picked the one that had the nicest hostel picture. Basically that’s the best way to choose! Our first moto experience, me, the driver and my huge bag on the back of a motorbike...was a little anxious, but it was fantastic, the wind in your hair and the freedom! They say the best way to get around Cambodia is by moto as the roads are few and far between. Our hostel was really nice, a little noisy but had everything you need for $2.50 a night, we found a local restaurant that was recommended in the Lonely Planet and then headed to bed.

The next day we took a moto each to the remote temples surrounding Battambang. There are still thousands of mines left over from the Khmer Rouge so we could not get off the moto unless for a temple. We walked around all the temples, covered by vines and moss and were greeted in one of them by a big group of school children, all individually wanting their picture one by one with Terry and then with me. We took a train half way back to Battambang, well an example of a cargo train. We had to move the whole thing of the track every time a ‘real’ train acme down the track. Village children came out to see us when we were there and we handed out our supply of biscuits to the kids.

The next day we took a slow boat to Siem Reap. The boat was really small and we piled on, tightly packed for the journey. They estimated the journey anywhere from 4 hours to 24 hours depending on how many times you break down. We broke down around 4 times and managed the journey in 8 hours. We stopped along the way for lunch in a floating shop, a random shop on stilts ready for our arrival. The journey passed floating villages, schools and people surviving on fishing. All the children were running out onto the edge of the embankment to wave hello.

When we arrived in Siem reap we were hounded by tuk tuk drivers, they piled onto the boat and tried to grab our bags. We had to literally fight them off as we had a prearranged booking for a hostel. We spotted our hostel and took the 20 minute journey and collapse on oru beds for a rest. The hostel was really nice, clean and had air conditioning which was delicious at this point, oh and with the odd gecko in the room! We booked the same tuk tuk for the next day’s trip to the Angkor temples.

Yesterday we spent the whole day visiting the temples, say no to every child begging you to buy their post cards or guide books and drinking water as the sun was so hot. The temples, built in the 9th-13th centuries, were incredibly grand and were very intricate in design. Tourists were using elephants to take them around the sites.

This morning we awoke very early (4am) to travel to Angkor Wat and witness the sun rise. It was quiet and peaceful when the sun finally woke up and spread its light across the eastern hemisphere.

Missing you all, especially as its coming close to christmas, is so strange to think that we will be in Thailand for Christmas!