Cambodia. Siem Reap.

We left Pheom Penh bright and early and boarded a full size coach just for us. The journey was pretty rough. The whole road from Pheom Pehn to Siem Reap was being resurfaced so it was so rough. We got a puncture too so the driver kept stopping for more air mad emergency repairs. For some reason the Cambodian road builders leave random huge piles of earth in the middle of the road and so we had to detour off road to get around them. It was a really slow slog. We finally arrived we had a really nice hotel. We went out for a walk to town and had a drink on pub street, yes it was actually named that, just like magaluf! It was full of nice pubs though. We had a drunk and then went for dinner. I had the speciality lok lak. Not amazing, won't be learning how to make it at home! As with all Cambodian food it came with a fried egg! After dinner we wandered around the huge night market. Another Pak of trousers, tick! 

We were going to watch the sun rose over Ankor Wat the next day so we left our hotel at 4:45. So early!  We drove to Angkor Wat and toot position on the side of the moat overlooking Angkor Wat. We waited and the most unbelievable sun rise happened. It looked like the aliens were landing and it changed so much and just got more and more beautiful. 

After the sun came up we went back to the hotel for some more sleep before heading back. 

We returned after breakfast and saw the temples in all their glory. It was a glorious sunny day but was also unbearably hot!! We had to "dress appropriately" again so meant trousers and a cardigan for the ready. Scarves were not appropriate enough for this place! We saw so much amazing architecture and wonder our carvings that I can't really describe it in words. It was spectacular and vast.

We visited Angkor Wat first and then saw three other temples after this. We visited one in the Bayon style which meant it had lots of faces everywhere. Four faces on each thing sticking up. It was amazing. We also visited a cool temple with the trees growing all over it and their roots dripping over the buildings. 

There were so many children around trying to sell you things it was really sad that they were not in school. They were so persistent and had really good English! In the evening we went to a charity which g adventures help sponsor and learnt about how they are helping children go to school. We took a tuk tuk to a really poor area and saw the old school which had now become accommodation for homeless families. We walked around the village and saw how poor it was. Definitely the poorest country we've been to. We then rode to the new school and hospital. The families get help with accommodation and their children get to go to school and also receive some rice as long as the children have high attendance. This is to prevent then being sent out to work. There is also a hospital providing free healthcare. We are dinner at the charities restaurant which helps teach young adults how to work in the service industries. It was amazing. 

The next day we visited more temples! The first day was more impressive, but it was still amazing! Totally in awe of this amazing city. Absolutely loved all of it. Can't fit all my words into a journal!