Current Location: Chillicothe, Ohio

Monday, March 7, 2011

Battambong...

Soooo the 2nd largest city in Cambodia.... at first glance.... looks like it must not really be. It is a smaller rural city with very few tourist. Sarah and I decided to ride the 'sienic' river boat in from Siemp Reap. It was very sienic.. but with mostly the same view after the beautiful floating villages and house along the river... lots of naked little children yelling 'hello' as they bathed in the river! hehe! Still very cute! 7 hours later we arrive.... and oh where is the big city we had heard about?!?!? Seriously... we walked the streets for almost an hour trying to find a resturant to eat dinner at- Fresh Eats Cafe, very delicious and for a good cause if you go! Thank goodness we arragned a busy day with our tuk tuk driving from the pier for the following day.

BAMBOO RAILROAD- SOOOOO MUCH FUN!!! I mini cart just for Sarah and I to ride 20minutes down to the next station. Since there are only small carts if one is coming from the other direction (which happens frequently) one person must remove their cart from the track allowing the othe rto pass before returning on your way!!! hehehe! Soo much fun!! We got the view the coutryside of Cambodia- rice fields, farmers working, cows, etc. Very nice!!

Cabodia is the life for ME!!!




VISITING SARAH 101!!!

Sooo I have been in Cambodia for 1 week and let me tell ya... I LIKE THIS PLACE! I am visiting my sister Sarah who is currently living in Phnom Peng. She is taking me around the capital city, the largest city in Cambodia, to alllll of the nicest places!!! So far I have had afternoon tea and crumpets at a hotel lined in gold, got my toe nails did for the first time, been to fancy dinners with banana leaves making bowls and drinks with glass stirrers and chili, and rode around in fancy chart -aka TUK-TUKs. Which are the coolest little mini carriages all decorated differently and with fun little curtains... I take pictures riding them like every day!!!

And while I live in this live of luxury... my dinners are $9, ride $2, nails $3, and brunches $4, cafe and chocolates $5, etc.!!!!! I love this place!!!

Sarah does say- I really need to show you the real Cambodia... but I really love this one already!!!! hehehe!!!

Siem Reap...

Off on a another vacation while on vacation to Siem Reap- north of Phnom Peng and location of Angkor Wat ( the largest temples -period-)!!!!
While in Siem Reap Sarah and I decided to spend the extra money ($15/night) to stay in a actual hotel- not a hostel. We had a pool, breakfast included, even little sandals to use in the bathroom. Also mini toothbrush and toothpaste- which I think is a nice little common thing around Cambodia not was not present in Peru. For our nice hotel experience Sarah and I so how got suckered into watching sappy American movies each night and cried before bed- like the time travelers wife!! haha!
We did watch the sunset over the mountains sitting on top of a temple and watched the sunrise the following morning over Angkor Wat with its reflection in the ponds below! Amazing! I do love how the sun changes colors as it gets close the the edge of the earth sometimes during sunrise and sunset. Then- since we arrived at 600am we templed in up ALL day! Rented a tuk- tuk to take us from 1 temple, to the next, to the next, so on and so on.... Temples from sunrise until that evening. I saw Angkor Wat and its surround ponds and ancient entrances, temples with faces on each side of the rocks, temples with old stairs sooooo steep and narrow my foot didn't fit on, temples with elephants on the walls and circling the ground as tourists rode on their backs, temples with ancient cravings of battles and gods, and royal person at those times. Temples that had been crushed, and rebuilt, temples with trees growing right through and around them (featured in Tomb Raider with Angelia hehe). So many beautiful temples with each having their own special purpose and dedication reasons. Going back in time was soooo easy to do as you walk to ground of Angkor Wat and the surrounding area.

I do wish I had a little more knowledge of the Buddhist and Hindu religion as a lot to the figures and cravings where beyond my knowledge. I can appreciate the time that has past the ancient feel for the area and the importance it did once have as the capital of the greater Cambodia area many years ago.

Visiting Siem Reap was truly a beautiful and fascinating experience that all people visiting Cambodia and/or Southeast Asia should allot time for :o)