Holiday in Cambodia pt2

I just visited Bantay Srie and Pre Rup, two beautiful and magnificent temples in the Angkor built in a time when the people in the region were mainly Hindu. The temples contain many images of Brahma, Vishnu and even Kali. There are also monkeys and elephants. Since getting to Cambodia I have taken over 300 pics and that is just the start. Expect a major Flickr update when I return.

The journey out was an 1.5 hours by Tuk tuk as Bantay Srie is one of the most remote of the temples. The tuk tuk is an open carriage with a canopy pulled by a moped. It is the most relaxing a civilised way to travel I have ever experienced especially when your driver hands you a wet flannel and bottle of water from the ice box he has stashed under the front seat. I sat and watched the Cambodian countryside roll past enduring a light shower to be replaced by brilliant sunshine by the time I arrived at the temple. The countryside consisted mainly of palm trees and rice paddies. There are also lots of children holding bits of string with a water buffalo on the other end. The buffalo seem to just stand around grazing and regularly adding to the richness of the soil ;-)

The homes are mostly single room open wood and palm leaf structures on stilts with the occasional 2 story marble and glass 4 bedroom house to make you question exactly how the local economy works.

The roads are pretty good quality as Siem Reap probably draws more money than anywhere else in Cambodia from tourism. Angkor is one of the greatest sights in the world and there is a constant flow of tourists even in the rainy season. The only hazards are tourist coaches coming up behind you hitting their horn to remind you that they are bigger and faster and water buffaloes that have a lot of mass and no road sense.

When you arrive at any of the temple you are immediately surround by kids as young as four all trying to sell you second hand guide books (some are to other countries!!!), CD's of local music, T-shirts, silks, DVD's. They start by being very sweet but after about 30 seconds become very very irritating. They all ask you where you are from and when you say England they greet you with cries of 'Lovely Jubbly'. This time I went to a stall and bought two silk scarves (not for me). I tried haggling and we eventually agreed on a price. I handed over the money and heard a mass groan from behind me which I immediately knew meant 'look at how much over the usual price the stupid westerner paid'. I am such a sucker must try harder but to westerners the haggling thing is a bit alien and these guys are good.

I have decide to try taking no money but giving out pens instead. The children all go to school and need these things and it will help feel a bit less guilty about not buying another guide book I don't need (I have 4 now).

I am heading out in about an hour to do a tour of the grand circuit ending with sunset at the top of Preah Pithu Temple.

Despite the many problems faced by Cambodia it's people are warm and friendly and the scenery is beautiful.

Here is a tiny taste of the pictures taken today: -