Siem Reap...Land of the Temples

Didn't I say I was "templed" out before hitting Siem Reap? Oh yes I did, but if you're going to see any temples...you should definitely see the Angkor group of temples...the most famous being Angkor Wat (first 3 pictures). I am pleased to show you some pretty cool temple shots. I hope you agree.

One piece of advice...if you do come to Siem Reap, Cambodia...two days of temple touring is definitely enough!!



I think Angkor Thom was my favourite because of all the faces carved into the towers. I was told that in ancient Cambodia, the number nine was a very powerful number. It is for that reason the king had 54 towers (yes, Zwart...5+4=9) built in the temple with four faces on each tower (54*4=216...2+1+6=9). OK...I thought it was cool.

If the last picture looks familiar at all it's because the movie "Lara Croft...Tomb Raider" was filmed here at Ta Prom temple. This shot was pretty cool but the temple itself has pretty much crumbled to the ground due to tree roots breaking through the walls. Don't mess with Mother Nature! I'm also going to talk to my agent as I expected Angelina to be my tour guide at this temple.

A couple of cool things I did while in Siem Reap included having lunch at the Grand Hotel which is the oldest hotel in the city and also the most luxurious I was told. The Embro Boy was hanging with the elite. He wasn't there at the time, but it's my understanding this is where George Bush stayed as well as many kings and celebrities such as my girlfriend, Angelina Jolie. I held my own!!

I also went to see some Apsara dancing. I really don't know how to explain it, but it was a group of mostly very attractive girls (good start!) in colourful costumes doing very weird things with their hands. OK guys...get your minds out of the gutter...this was a family show. It's just that they can curl their fingers backwards and it's pretty freaky.

And how ironic...after bathing in polluted water and eating bugs...it was at this 4-5 star entertainment restaurant where I got food poisoning. I was nasty sick for a couple of days. Nothing like meeting new people at the show and going out for a couple of drinks...and then finding yourself violently throwing up in the bathroom an hour later. I had to make a hasty exit. I don't think they'll be keeping in touch!

After Siem Reap...I found myself back in Bangkok for a few days. It was nice to see a familiar face as Silvia (who I met in NZ) was in Bangkok as well so we decided to hook up and travel south together. However, those few days in Bangkok found us in the middle of the Songkran festival (Thai New Year and Water Festival). Basically, this meant I got wet!! It has become a tradition for everyone to throw water at each other (it's meant as a gesture for good luck) and to also cover each other with a "baby powder" like substance.

Now when I said I got wet...picture having a BUCKET of water or hose turned on you every 50ft. Luckily, most of the water was warm because it's damn hot in Bangkok, but some of the revellers liked to put blocks of ice in the water to give a more dramatic effect. It was pretty crazy on the streets of Bangkok. However, I was impressed with one group. After they took turns dumping water on me (about 6 of them)...they waved me back off the street and handed me a glass of whiskey. I drank it to uphold international relations. I think they were impressed when I "shot" it down.

I currently find myself on Phuket Island. Not a bad place to be. Unfortunately, it's pretty tame here right now as off season starts in another week. However, some R&R has been good for me. And Aunt Joanne should be happy to know that my drinking has been dramatically curtailed here in Thailand. (I was told she was a little concerned) I like to think it's just the lull before the storm.

I'm off to Europe in less than 5 days and look forward to partying with all my new friends I've met in my travels so far. I'm almost afraid to visit Ireland and England. I hope my liver is taking advantage of this down time...it's got some work to do in the near future.

Signing off from South East Asia! I hope you enjoyed the pictures. It was definitely a culture I've never experienced before. And please...no more temples for awhile!

"Sawasdee!!"