Unusually for Hopkinsons, we were away on time. Cambodia had few cars but thousands on thousands of motorbikes, so as usual in our van we threaded our way between them the 8km or so from Siem Reap to Angkor Wat.
It was already busy and already hot when we arrived, but I guess nothing like how hot or busy it would be later in the day.
We spent at least 2 hours exploring the enormous complex including all of us climbing to the top......all of us that is but poor Joe who was not allowed to because be was under 12. He took it stoically. The 360 degree views to be honest were fantastic showing the massive dimensions of the Angkor site.
From Angkor we travelled back to Kbal Spean for a 2k walk through the rain forest to see some 1200 year old Hindu carvings, carved into a riverbed. The bonus was the ability to have a natural shower under a waterfall, a huge relief after the heat of the walk up. Merriment was added to when Nic slipped over in the waterfall losing his (thankfully waterproof) mobile phone, and Joe in a valiant effort to rescue the mobile fell over too. Fortunately neither friend, son or phone were harmed.
Then on to a third temple, Banteay Srei which according to many must have been carved by women because the carvings are so intricate. Sadly this was our first experience of children trying to sell us things (rather than being at school) so we employed the "we don't buy from children" line.
By then it was 3pm so we were ready to go for a swim. Having had great memories of cut throat razor shaves in India and other places, Jim forgo the family swim and went into Siem Reap in search of a barber. Harder to find one than he anticipated, but eventually he made it back clean shaven.
Then off back to a Siem Reap night market where we ate street foot, all yummy except Jims random choice if LAB which was so fiery with green and red chillies that eventually discretion got the better part of valour and it was abandoned in favour of an Angkor beer.
Kids bought a tea shirt in the night market, and Ellie also got a braid in her hair before we retreated exhausted back to the hotel.
Tomorrow some of us might / might not leave at 5am to see dawn over Angkor Wat, and in the afternoon we plan to visit a school that the guest house owner supports.....
We have decided to stay an extra day in Sirem Reap because we have enjoyed it so much
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