I am singing now–What a difference a day makes…24 little hours…

So after the hardest day so far, we followed it up with one of the best days.

Welcome to Siem Reap. Home of Angkor Wat. We are loving it here. It is reminding me of Ellicottville and Nice, Cambodian style. The town is full of bars, little shops, tons of partiers, lots of travelers.

Good Morning, Angkor Wat

The Gate to Angkor Tomb

The town maintains a very strong French influence and we are happy as clams. Cheese. We spend the afternoon having Thai massages (which have been SUCH an experience, it warrants its own entry). We have cocktails at the Red Piano–a famous bar in the center of pub street. It was Angelina’s favorite. She invented a cocktail, which we really enjoyed and the entire time we were drinking these tasty new discoveries, all we could think and talk about were the Mathiesons. Visions of Tim and AMT sucking them back at warp speed, getting trashed off their new favorite drink. Soon dear friends! Tomb Raider night chez Kitty and the Germ.

Sunrise at Angkor Wat

We had a fun dinner at the Dead Fish restaurant. It had traditional dancers and a system of ordering unlike anything I have ever seen. First, place your order. The waiter puts the written order into a tin that he shoots down a string in to the kitchen. Just because you ordered first doesn’t mean you won’t get your dinner last. Waiting until everyone is served just doesn’t happen. It can’t. We kept thinking that this multi-levelled resto would never pass Canadian safety requirements. It really was an accident waiting to happen. Slightly treacherous.

Dead Fish Restaurant

Cambodian Dance

After our dinner (surprise, surprise, I had Pho–again) we have the famous Cambodian Dr. Fish massage. This is the deal. You take your shoes off. You sit on the edge of an inflatable pool. You submerge your feet. Little fish come and start sucking the dead skin and bacteria off your feet. I assure you, you read this correctly. Fish eat the skin off your feet. It was a strange feeling. We have some hilarious pictures. That being said, it will never replace a good old fashion pedicure.

Arnon, Marc, James & Catherine

Dr. Fish Massage

The following morning we got up–before the crack of dawn to head to Angkor Wat to see the sun rise. It was stunning.

Very Early In the Morning

Kitty and the Germ at Angkor Wat

Ancient Stories

Reflection

Angkor Wat

“Pose”

After that we went to Angkor Tomb. This is an amazing site. There’s nothing like it anywhere else in the world.

Angkor Tomb

A Matter of Perspective

Kitty

Entry to Angkor Tomb

“Cheese”

Beauty at Angkor Tomb

Finally we saw Ta Phrom. Some of this will look familiar if you have seen Tomb Raider (hence the Angelina connection). Ta Phrom just moved into 2nd place of sites/experiences on this journey. There is a magic that is hard to describe.

Nature Taking Over

Ta Phrom

Tomb Raider Temple

Trees vs. Stone

Kitty and the Germ at Ta Phrom

Trees have overtaken the temple and I have never seen anything so exquisite in all of my days. It literally felt like it had been touched by the hand of God. It was as though the trees just didn’t care and since they were left to their own devices, they did what they wanted to do. Ta Phrom temple just beat out the Great Wall of China which was incredible, but totally man-made. The added natural element of the tree temple can’t be duplicated.

Stunning Ending for a Perfect Day

Sunset over Siem Reap

Back to the Red Piano. Mmm… More Tomb Raider cocktails.

The next day, Marc opted out of more temples. Off to the PGA golf course he went. I will clarify that Marc thankfully did not bring his clubs with him on the journey, but was happy to be able to rent shoes and clubs at this fabulous Nick Faldo design course in which he played with a caddy and loved every second. It was one of the most challenging courses he has ever played and will describe the holes to all the golfies on his return.

Marc’s Caddy

Challenging but Fun

Meanwhile, while Marc was on the golf course (getting a horrific burn on his legs I might add), I was back at more temples. Another 2. If there are trees over taking it, I am thrilled. The second temple was a water temple. We had to walk the plank to get there. I of course had vivid memories of the rice paddy and was a bit anxious. Once we got there, it was stunning–and hot. 35 degrees, not including the humidex. I am melting.

Water Temple

As per Jeff’s advice, we head to Hotel de la Paix. Stunning. We have a lovely bottle of wine and I am in a really good mood because there is cheese. We watch traditional dances, performed by orphans.

Dance at Hotel de la Paix

That night, it seemed only fitting that we join the local travelers and partiers (it is Halloween) and go to Angkor What?? A crazy night club to dance our asses off and drink cheap drinks out of buckets. Memories of Nice–flooding back. It actually wasn’t a bucket, more of an upside down plastic top hat with some straws. Of course this turned into a wild night. You would expect nothing less.

Happy Halloween