In the morning, before our journey to Phnom Penh we took a trip to Tonle Sap Lake. During rainy season, the Tonle Sap Lake is one of the largest fresh water lakes in Asia. On the lake is the floating village of Chong Kneas, home to millions of refugees. Like any other village it has schools, markets, houses, restaurants and other businesses.
We hired a boat and a guide to take us along the lake. We were witness to some sights that were completely out of the ordinary and worlds away from anything you would see at home.
Small motor boats with young children pulled up along side us and offered a snake, yes a snake, asking for $1 if we held it for a photograph.
Most shocking were mothers offering a hold of their sleeping babies for $1, absolutely heartbreaking to see, imagine being that desperate for money that you would beg tourists to pay to hold your child for a picture. Unbelievable!
On a slightly lighter note, we hopped off the boat to a market to buy food for orphaned children. We visited them whilst they were at school. They were probably between the ages of 4-10 and the most beautiful children you have ever seen. You couldn't help but fall in love with them!
Many children lost their parents during rainy season when the lake rises and becomes very dangerous to live on.
We handed them each a pack of noodles and they seemed very grateful, however in hindsight we could have bought them a lot more. After lots of photographs we left them to continue with their lessons.
On the way back we saw a cemetery which may only be seen in dry season. In rainy season it is immersed under water, bodies are then buried in the mountains.
We left the village feeling overwhelmed, what a culture shock!!!
We would be travelling for the rest of the day, a 7 hour bus journey. We quite possibly had the most annoying bus driver EVERRR, he hooted his horn approximately every 10.5 seconds. It made it impossible to sleep, nevertheless it was nice to just look out the window.
Tuesday, 14 February 2012
Day 4 Siem Reep
Today we woke up early to watch the sunrise over Angkor Wat, one of the wonders of the archaeological world!
Angkor comprises of the magnificent remains of the various former capitals of the Khmer empire. The temple complex was built in the 12th century as dedication to the Hindu god, Vishnu. However since Buddhism became Cambodia's dominant religion in the 14th century, it has since served as a Buddhist temple. Unfortunately in the early 15th century armies from Thailand captured the city and it was left abandoned by its citizens only to be claimed by the vast forest until it was rediscovered at the end of the last century by French explorers.
We arrived in darkness, the viewpoint was already crowded with people in the prime photography positions. Luckily we managed to find quite a good spot. Angkor Wat is architecturally breathtaking, it's difficult to describe how spectacular the sunrise was, it is better illustrated in a photograph. If you ever get the opportunity to go there, take it!
After sunrise we headed back to our hotel for breakfast before we explored the city and it's temples.
The first temple we visited was Bayon, situated within the walled city of Angkor Thom, and famed for it's enigmatic faces.
The second temple we visited was Ta Prohm, which is slowly being reclaimed by the jungle. Trees grow through and on top of ruined walls. It was used as a set on the Tomb Raider film.
The third, and last we visited was Angkor Wat.
In the evening we took a tuk tuk to a Cambodian BBQ restaurant and had some delicious food. Later we headed on to pub street and danced the night away in Temple Bar. After a few buckets I lost all coordination and fell over as I went to jump on a podium, I grazed my leg in two places and almost took off the end of my toe. Yukkkkk! ...Still a brilliant end to a fantastic day!!!
Angkor comprises of the magnificent remains of the various former capitals of the Khmer empire. The temple complex was built in the 12th century as dedication to the Hindu god, Vishnu. However since Buddhism became Cambodia's dominant religion in the 14th century, it has since served as a Buddhist temple. Unfortunately in the early 15th century armies from Thailand captured the city and it was left abandoned by its citizens only to be claimed by the vast forest until it was rediscovered at the end of the last century by French explorers.
We arrived in darkness, the viewpoint was already crowded with people in the prime photography positions. Luckily we managed to find quite a good spot. Angkor Wat is architecturally breathtaking, it's difficult to describe how spectacular the sunrise was, it is better illustrated in a photograph. If you ever get the opportunity to go there, take it!
After sunrise we headed back to our hotel for breakfast before we explored the city and it's temples.
The first temple we visited was Bayon, situated within the walled city of Angkor Thom, and famed for it's enigmatic faces.
The second temple we visited was Ta Prohm, which is slowly being reclaimed by the jungle. Trees grow through and on top of ruined walls. It was used as a set on the Tomb Raider film.
The third, and last we visited was Angkor Wat.
In the evening we took a tuk tuk to a Cambodian BBQ restaurant and had some delicious food. Later we headed on to pub street and danced the night away in Temple Bar. After a few buckets I lost all coordination and fell over as I went to jump on a podium, I grazed my leg in two places and almost took off the end of my toe. Yukkkkk! ...Still a brilliant end to a fantastic day!!!
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