Siem Reap, Cambodia

"We've gotta get up for 7am tomorrow, best get an early night". Famous last words. After hitting the hay at 4am after many GnT's (Apparently its good for repelling mossies. Its also a great excuse) the 7am start was lush. So on we pile onto the bus ready for our 12 hour trip of hell into Cambodia. All things were good until you get to the border. A good 2 hours of hanging about filling in forms and being transported from various waiting areas we get stuffed into our 'new' bus which resembles a clapped out 70's mini bus. Our guide informs us of the good news that the air conditioning isnt working today and the roads ahead arent what you are used to back home. No sh*t. Its potholes galore and bridges barely wide enough for us to get through. You cant sleep because any bump will crack your head against the window. You cant listen to music as the noise from being jarred about overpowers the full volume on your walkman. You cant read as your bouncing around so much you cant focus on a word. This went on for about 6 hours. The bus over-heated at one point resulting in an un-wanted 20min stop. However, perseverence saw it through and we arrived at a guest house at 10pm, that EVERYONE on the bus checked into as they were all so shattered and were willing to stay anywhere. Turns out the rooms were great with air con, hot showers and 60 channels of cable (yes!).



Cambodia is certainly a step down from Thailand. Its a lot poorer here but as a result the locals are all amazing friendly wanting to talk to you and get to know you. There are some bizarre parallels of families and children living in the street where up the road there are a load of 5 star super deluxe hotels at $1000 a night. Theres no immediate business centers or offices around so I cant imagine who would stay there.



The roads are carnage. Get in your vehicle and drive. Dodge the other traffic. That seems to be the way. It works but its pretty mad being on the back of moped while your taxi driver whizzes in between 100s of other mopeds.

'Me and my driver, Ing'



Siem Reap is the place to go for all the temples. A tourist tax price of $20 is needed to enter first though. The temples are very impressive and beautiful.
'Ankor wha?'



Went to the one where they filmed Tomb Raider which was pretty cool. However, getting hassled to eat somewhere or buy postcards or bracelets goes to the next level. Swarms of adorable little children will plague you wherever you go asking you for a dollar to buy these things. There is desperation here big time. Little 4 year old kiddies with amazing English asking your name and where you're from. You buy stuff at first but you cant do it all day. It really does wear you down after a while. Going for lunch theres a long line of outdoor cafes and as soon as you approach about 6 different women will all shout at you at once "You want something to eat mister!!?!". Nearly lost the plot and had to run out in case I screamed! Carnage.

'Our guides. We got lost'



Back from the temples there's a nice little strip to go out for food and drinks. Being in one of the cheapest places Ive been to yet I have no idea how I managed to get a curry for $15 when most main meals around here cost about $3. Still, its nice to sit back and relax after a long days touring with a few GnTs. But it does come at a price.



This is where all the toursits go and the street kids know it. Poor little blighters coming up to you outside bars, some as young as 3, some missing limbs (Its land mine central out here) asking for money. Each sip of your drink tastes sour knowing that its costing more than they have. One of the girls we're with, Rachael, gave this little girl a few dollars and her purse to put it in. Unfortunately, this made her a target to the other kids and she found her later on in the middle of the road crying on her own. One of the other kids had stamped on her legs and stole it off her.



It was really touching to see Rachael cuddling this little kid on the side of the road wiping away her tears. I was about to get a photo when, in an ironic twist, from out of nowhere a ginourmous Mercedes parked in front of her blocking my shot. The rich blocking out the poor it seemed. Obviously the shot was not meant to be taken. Rachael managed to get her smiling again though:



'She's OK!!'



Enough of the gloom. Im here in Phnom Penh now (another grueling 6 hour bus journey) and tomorrow we're off to an Orphanage to feed the kiddies and help out. Should be great. Then off to see the Killing Fields and S21. Should not be great. Im glad Im here though doing something different and getting some experiences. However I've had enough bus journey 'experiences' for a life time so Ill be paying extra and flying back to Bangkok!



Big Love, blog fans.