Yet another early start, and the On the Go group are off to the brand new Phnom Penh airport, and a short domestic flight to Siem Reap, in the north of the country. The airport is huge, and amazingly quiet. Looking to a busy future!
We are met at Siem Reap airport by our guide, and head the Angkor area for lunch. First stop in the afternoon, is the Angkor National Museum. This is dedicated to the collection, preservation and presentation of Angkorian artifacts and Khmer civilisation, with collections mainly dated from Khmer Empire’s Angkor period circa 9th to 16th century.
After a nice group lunch at a tourist restaurant, we moved on to the legendary Angkor Wat. This is a massive temple complex, built in the 12th century by King Suriyavarman II, originally dedicated Hindu god Vishnu. It was later converted to a Buddhist temple and is now a major tourist attraction, a symbol of Cambodia, and the world’s largest religious monument.
After a few chores and chilling back at the hotel, we dine at a restaurant directly opposite. Very nice and as per usual, reasonably priced.Probably half the price of a comparable evening out in New Zealand.
Today Day 13, is “Temple Day.” Firstly we visit the temples of Banteay Srei, stopping at an exotic butterfly sanctuary, and the village of Preak Dak. At Preak Dak, each of us will have the opportunity to plant mango or Jack fruit saplings as part of a tree planting initiative by the company.
At Banteay Srei we see some of the finest stone carvings in the world, dedicated to Shiva.
Before lunch and Ankgor Thom, we visit a silk factory. Very interesting, and a silk scarf purchase for Sue.
Post lunch, it is Angkor Thom. We see the Bayon Temple, Baphuon, the royal enclosure, and the terraces of the Elephants and the Leper King. There are also an abundance of monkeys in the area, which are fascinating to watch.
The last stop on the tour of the Angkor complex is Tra Prohm Temple, which has been left in the ruined state in which it was discovered.
This evening, after leaving some dirty clothes at a nearby laundry, the group is off to the circus. The Phare Cambodian Circus, which trains street kids to become talented circus artists, blends circus skills with interpretations of modern life and issues in local society. An entertaining show, and the crowd departs happiness filled.
Our final full day of the tour, and this morning we visit the floating village of Kompong Phluk. Houses built on soaring stilts hover over the Tonle Sap Lake whilst nearby, the petrified trees of a flooded forest are revealed whenever the water level drops. Our boat trip also stops at a crocodile farm, which also featured a very large python!
For our final evening in Siem Reap, we visit the markets, buy a basketball shirt for Scott, and dine at “Pub Street”, a pedestrian only street full of bars and restaurants. We have been impressed with this city. Not too big or busy, but lively enough, with plenty of food, drink and shopping options.
Today marks the end of our tour. Some of the group are continuing on to Bangkok, others are off to Bali. We are flying to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, for a day and a night, before flying home.
The journey from Hanoi in Vietnam, to Angkor Wat has been a great success. “ On the Go” is a very well oiled machine, with great guides, itinerary, hotels etc. etc. Fellow group members were also good value, so overall, very happy. Blair did pick up a cough/cold in the last few days, which slowed him down a little.