Angkor Wat and the floating village

Today was another early start for us in order to get a glimpse of Angkor Wat at sunrise. Unfortunately it was cloudy, however, as we waited in the crowd forming we soon realised why everyone who has seen it talks about it so much. Despite the sheer size of Angkor Wat and the other temples we visited today (Angkor Thom, Bayon and Ta Prohm to name a few) the detailed work in the stone was up there with the Indian temples despite the condition of some. The heavens opened unfortunately just after breakfast so we took shelter and spent the time watching big groups of Japanese tourists continually taking pictures despite the rain. We did consider getting bicycles to get around the place but after a short while agreed we made the right decision in hiring a tuk tuk and driver. It is hard to explain and show the magical atmosphere at Angkor Wat through words and a small picture but perhaps it should just remain in our heads and hope that others will be as fortunate as us to see it in the future.

Knowing we wouldn't see the sunset around the temples we decided to visit the floating village another 'must see' destination. We went to buy the tickets and were told it would cost $20 per person, twice what we'd been told and what it said in the book. We decided it was too expensive and walked away. When we went back to out tuk tuk driver he said he would buy the tickets for us. To him they sold them for $12. We were not impressed at the scam particularly as we later found out that the actual boat owners get about $2 a day for their tours. Never the less we eventually got on a boat and the boat owner was really friendly and informative. He also had 2 young children helping out due to it being Sunday (they go to school). The floating villages were really incredible with a whole community set up, including a school, church, police station and even a basketball court all floating around. Half way round we stopped off at a restaurant/gift shop where they had captured snakes and crocodiles to show the tourists, we looked but had no interest in any closer encounters. We bought the kids lollipops to say thank you and they were really excited. During the trip we had several of the local boats coming along side the sell goods (mainly soft drinks) but some especially the ones with kids in had snakes wrapped around their necks! Rach was not amused at one point! Returning to our tuk tuk we were really happy we'd taken this trip as it provided us with a greater insight into the way of life for some of the people in Cambodia. They appear to happy and content with their lot with a tinge of desire for things western. We hope it stays that way - almost unspoilt, but as with most things change is inevitable.

Thanks to everyone for all the messages, we love getting them! Feel free to compete with Becky and Jen for most hits.

Lots of Love

Rach & Mark. xxx