One Hotel Angkor Siem Reap

... were dead when I see one duck move its wings – I was horrified. The poor things were hung from
their feet – see picture to see what I mean. I get very upset when I see animals hurt and thought that that was shocking. It would have been different if they were dead. I've heard that Cambodia can be tough going and in one moment you see something that shocks you but the next you see something that makes you smile and didn't a big fat pig in a cage in a ...

... make a slight alteration to our plans to cross overland to Bangkok. Thailand have recently stopped issuing 30 day visas for people entering overland, instead offering a non-renewable 15 day visa. This has been done to stop people making the border runs once a month to stay in the country. A right pain in the **** for us though as it meant we had to travel back to Phnom Penh and then fly to Bangkok. All this costs way more than a simple land crossing.

... Wat. Polin (our driver from yesterday) picked us up at 6am (the sun was already up and it was heating up fast), and we headed to Ta Prohm. He was shocked that our intention was to continue on on foot. Ta Prohm is instantly recognizable by the enormous trees engulfing many sections of the temple, which are seemingly rooted directly in the stone. Our early start meant we had the temple virtually to ourselves (besides a thick procession of termites ...

... part of the temple was at the far end. So we followed his advice, walking up the stairs and towards a wall made of stone with intricate carvings of royalty and stories of wars carved into it. It was like a mini maze in there and we followed it out to the other side. Then we made our way back through the path at the back, hiking up quickly when we noticed fire ants all over. On our way there were plenty of beautiful buildings ...

... we headed to the Red Piano bar for a pre-dinner drink. This was Angelina's hangout when she was filming "Tomb Raider" and the place has a cocktail named in her honour. I still stuck to drinking a refreshing beer (as the Angelina cocktail was made of Cointreau, lime juice and tonic water, too sweet for my taste) whereas my alcoholic Pierre took a lime soda (cheap date and chronic designated driver, yay for me!). Afterwards, we sat down for ...

... your toxins out!! Yesterday I had a meal called morning glory- i think i was the only one who found this funny but its one of their traditional dishes. Was nice. Dad if your reading this- I have got a photo you will be very proud of- its one of those trick photo things- it looks like im licking Buddah! I had better dash and get showered (I STINK) before meal, bit of a **** update but at least you know i havn't been swept away or anything. Lots of love xxx

As part of our "Day In the Life" tour, after planting rice we spent time with the Khmer family. In honor of our visit they prepared a "Kings Meal." A king's meal is a meal fit for royalty - literally. Khmer families usually have rice and fish for their meals. Today, an amazing array of food: seafood and vegetable soup, steamed fish paste with red ants, an array of crisp ...

... really experienced the serenity of the surroundings. Banteay Srei was another highlight, with the best preserved carvings in rose-colored rocks outside of town (best around sunset).

Another stellar part of our trip was the next day we spent doing a horseback trek at Happy Ranch. Riding through rice villages and country roads astride Cambodian ponies was awe-inspiring and is one of the only chances you'll get as a tourist in ...

... in Siem Reap. Most guides can be organized via any major hotel or visitors center. After I got a little templed out, I asked the guide about this gun range of sorts where you can pretty much shoot about anything available to the Cambodian Army including but not limited to AK-47's, M-16's and I **** you not..... toss a hand grenade or fire off an RPG. I mean seriously now people...... where on Earth can you pay to shoot an RPG without either signing up for ...

... RMB exchanged into Cambodian Riel from a nice polite female bank clerk who asked where I'd come from.
I headed back to Green Town, showered, met Adam and his newly wedded partner. We dined for the last time. A really nice American couple.
Johannes and I agreed to depart for Phnom Pehn the following morning to pursue the next installment to our adventures. Recounting his experiences in Angkor Wat:
'TOO MANY JAPANESE!!' was his despairing verdict. What else is new.