This is the last stop with Stephanie. It ended at Siem Reap, she’d be heading home and I would be off to Thailand to learn to dive.
I had a surprise planned when we arrived and after the waiting around and pretending we would get a tuk tuk our hotel driver showed up. He couldn’t have been more apologetic for being a little late.
We hadn’t really been roughing it but I couldn’t resist one five star hotel on this trip, the standard for the price is outrageous.
The hotel was beautiful, the highlight being the bath, I think I’ve seen smaller swimming pools! Steph, grinning like a Cheshire Cat, showed how pleased she was with it all, even though most of it was for my own self indulgence it was great to see how happy she was with it.
The plan was room service by night and then pool by day, it was a stunning place to relax. It’s all been so stressful…
Siem Reap is a great place with plenty to see and do, It’s really easy to spend time knocking about, having a massage and seeing so many market stalls. We didn’t really take part in Pub Street but we did take a stroll down there one evening, I must be getting old because that was enough for me. The following evening we headed to the Phare Cambodian Circus, it was very reasonably priced for how entertaining it was. From simple plate spinning to double backflips 30ft in the air it had so much going on, everyone should definitely check it out if you get the chance, it’s a perfect evening filled. I even got to go home with a clown!
Now, if you know a little bit about Siem Reap you’ll know that it’s where you head to see Angkor Wat. The temple was built by the Khmer Empire in the first half of the 12th Century and for its size was built in record time. It is the largest religious monument in the world, it was originally designed as a Hindu temple dedicated to the God Vishnu. With the temple itself, the grounds around it and the surrounding temples, they cover 1.6 million square meters of land. I don’t know too much about the history but the sheer scale is phenomenal. Compared to other places I’ve been on the globe I’m surprised it’s not classed in the top seven world wonders, it’s a beast!
One of the hardest parts is getting up at 4am to jump in your tuk tuk and head there for sunrise, it’s the done thing and is pretty special, maybe ensure you have coffee at the ready though. A tuk tuk is a great way to see many of temples in a day, you get the luxury of sitting back and being driven everywhere but don’t let that make you think it’s an easy day, it’s not, it’s so hot and you still do a lot of walking but it’s worth it and the whole place is stunning. You’ll actually need two to three days to see everything, we didn’t have the time. I hope the photos do it justice.
In the afternoon we found a local pool to chill before dinner and an early night, we had to say our good byes in the morning. I believe the adventures have only began and I can’t wait to see her gimpy little face again soon.
Siem Reap 
Angkor Wat
The Why Not Traveller 