Bayon

Supposed to be famous for the Bayon faces in the stone pillars. Not crazy about it but took some pictures anyway.

Angkor Wat

Saturday October 18, 2008

The temples of Angkor are numerous and many people spend an entire week exploring them. I decided to concentrate on the Big 3 which are Angkor Wat, Ta Prohm and Bayon.

I took a tuk-tuk which I hired the previous day and set out at 5 am. It was only a 15 minute ride and it was still dark when we arrive at Angkor Wat with about 75 other tourists waiting for the sun to come up. Only it was overcast and a light mist was falling. I have been anticipating this moment my entire trip as it is billed by some as the 8th Wonder of the World. I guess that is because it did not make the New 7 Wonders of the World list last year.

Angkor Wat is the largest religious building in the world and it is truly a sight to see but somehow it did not have that "WOW" factor. Maybe it was the rain, maybe it was because it is 5 am. or maybe I had just imagined how it would be for so long. I have seen postcards of Angkor Wat as the sun is coming up behind it and that is what I wanted. Unfortunately this is the moonsoon (2 hrs of hard rain every day and some rain the rest) season. I really hope that it is not because I have seen so much in the last 3 years I expect too much. On the other hand, everything can't be Machu Picchu at sunrise or your first time to see Mount Everest up close and personal. But it was really nice. lol

Life on the Road in Southeast Asia

I was reading my Southeast Asia Lonely Planet Guidebook and it has a section that perfectly describes life on the road in southeast Asia. So I thought I would share since it is exactly how it feels.

"Southeast Asia is loud, no doubt about it. The roosters have been crowing all night, the screaming motorcycles have been doing circles around your bed and the guttural call to prayers seems to emanate from next door. It isn't even noon yet and the temperature has already reahed the boiling. You climb out of your rock-hard mattress and head down to the shared toilet at the end of the hall. The mirror is too short, the sink is too low and the whole room needs to be sprayed down with bleach. Now its time for a shower (cold water for this penny-pincher), a powdering and a desperate search for clean clothes.
Today is the day you pack up and move to the next town. Arriving at the destination station, the bus is flanked by touts all thirsty for your business. You haggle the price, which is always inflated due to an informal 'I'm new in town' tax. The first guesthouse you visit has a shady yard with chickens scratching around in the dirt but the room is damp and noisy, so you thank the testy clerk and set off down the road. You use your budget senses to sniff out the best score in town and in a few hours you're camped out in the shade with a steamy bowl of noodles and a sweaty bottle of beer. Beats the wage-slave life. "
2008 Lonely Planet Southeast Asia

Siem Reap, Cambodia

Wednesday October 15, 2008

After 5 hrs on the worst road that I have ever been on I finally arrived in Siem Reap. It is the hub for everything that is Angkor Wat which is called the 8th Wonder of the World by some. I hope to stay here for a few days and recharge, finally, and make plans to visit Angkor Wat. There are 1 day, 3 day and week long admission tickets. The area is immense with so many different temples to see but I think that after a few of the biggest ones including Angkor Wat I will have seen enough. Seeing Angkor Wat is up there almost as much as seeing the Great Wall.

The first picture is of a "spirit house" which is usually located in front of many businesses and houses and come in many shapes, sizes and colors. They are supposed to be a home for friendly spirits who will bestow blessings on them and remain outside the house in comfort. Many times food, water and flowers are left on the houses for the spirits.

Sukhothai (old city)

Monday October 13, 2008

I came here to see the old city because it was Thailand's first capital. I visited the old city today and the ruins were spectacular. It is said that much is lost due to the fact that we do not perceive the religious significance of this area and I am sure that is true. I leave tomorrow for Bangkok but may just stay the night and head to Cambodia. I will be coming back through Bangkok 2 more times on my trip. Once passing through to south Thailand and once to fly to Hong Kong for my return.

Bus ride from Mae Hongson to Mae Sot

4 hours on a big bus and then transferred to a small pickup truck with semi-padded benches in the rear with a top for 6 more hours. At one point there were 21 women, children and men either in the back of the truck or standing on the rear bumper and holding on. The scenery in the mountains was truly incredible though and Lonely Planet has it listed as best overland trip in Thailand.

Mae Hongson Day Market (pictures for Kade and Madison)

I took these pictures in the day market. The first is for Madison because I knew she would love the cute bunnies. The next one is fried insects which they had to eat if you wanted. There were crickets, roaches, grub worms and a few I did not recognize. Thought Kade would get a kick out of it.