Three Days in Cambodia

Siem Reap and the ancient temples are magical. Cambodia has realized that they have a major tourist attraction and they are doing everything they can to make it a prime location for tour groups. In order to travel near the temples, you must have a ticket - good for three or seven days. You stand in line, pay the fee, they take your picture and present you with a personalized ticket. There are many check points on the road and entering each temple area where a guard checks the tickets carefully to be sure that your picture matches your face. They are serious about it being non-transferable. The hotel was a real dump but we weren't there very long so what the hell. We had a great guide for the three days and saw nine different temple ruins in our three days. One might think that it must have been boringly repetitive but it was amazing how different they all were. Angkor Wat was huge, partially restored and very impressive.

We also saw the wat that is being reclaimed by the trees.

And - the "faces" wat.

We have all seen these images in pictures and in movies but actually being there was absolutely incredible. I loves every minute - even being hot, tired, sweaty and over-scheduled. Back to Bangkok. - The students are exhausted but hanging in there - Carol and I doing rather well especially considering that we are about 40 years older that the students.