Finally... Temple Day One!

Woot Woot! This is the part of the trip I've been waiting for! Temples of Cambodia! Today we visited several sites, most of them just past Angkor Wat, the most famous of Cambodia's Temples.  Below you'll see pictures from Bayon Temple and Angkor Thom. I spent the full day, and into the early evening surrounded by these amazing ancient structures! If I have a chance, I'll update the next section with some history on these and other temples in this area of Cambodia, but for now, I need to hit the hay, so enjoy the pics!

Amazing carvings in so many of these temples! It's really unbelievable!

This one's for Robin!!!

I didn't have an opportunity to do this, but how cool! Elephant Tours through the temple complex. As I understand it, they take great care of these majestic animals as well, so good to hear!

More crazy food today, this time, ANTS!

I think I mentioned earlier Cambodia is currently in it's wet season... make that Monsoon! Below, you can see the weather blowing in, the further down, the super heavy down pour that continue for about an hour.

Back in the evening, and hit a few more shops. Finally found some decent street art...

G'night all! XO

Phnom Pehn to Siem Reap

Goooooood Morning! Bus trip today to Siem Reap today! ... started off with a little morning nibble... tarantula! Yep! Crazy! and Crunchy!

...grasshoppers anyone? Apparently today is the day of real local food!

Luckily there are less stray's in Vietnam and Cambodia than I've seen in other countries.  But the pups that are homeless are less friendly or used to friendly human interaction. 

More food, BBQ hard cooked eggs, but didn't try these. Another specialty here is small eggs fetus, although I'm sure they have a much nicer name for them! Basically eggs that have been fertilized and start developing. I didn't try these - ICK! That's way to far for this girl!  

Dumplings with pork and veggies! 

Lunch was a great little stop at a lake side grass hut. Food was meh, but the view couldn't be beat, especially from this comfy spot! 

Next stop was at Kompong pluk floating village.  We are mid wet season right now, in dry season, the water is about 3m lower, and at the end of the wet season, the water can be 3m higher! All houses are on stilts and a few are floating. Most of the time they get around by boat, but of course, that can easily change if the waters leave.

Beautiful dancing accompanied dinner, several different local dances were displayed. Their costumes were so intricate and beautiful!

...and of course, a little shopping and a bevy after a long day! Love this tuktuk...

The Royal Palace!

Alright, so, the morning at the Killing Fields was a tough one, the afternoon... much more pleasant! We decided a tour of the Royal Palace was in order! Unfortunately the King was not currently at home, he's visiting China at the moment, but his staff welcomed us in... so long as we were covered up! No knees showing and no shoulders showing.  We walked there from the hotel, only to have to return to layer up on more 'appropriate' clothing! This below courtyard is out on the street in front of one building within the Royal Palace walls.

The main building I believe mainly used for entertaining. We weren't allowed inside, only allowed to peak in through the windows.

Some really neat statues on the Palace grounds, many are based off of statues and ancient stonework at the many temples of Cambodia.

Selfie... I'm really getting good at these!

At the back, behind those gates, yep, that's where the King lives.

In past times, the queen would have a different colour outfit for each day of the week! 

We wandered around the palace grounds, enjoying the beautiful structures and gardens!

I really do love the top of the temples, so beautiful!

We even had a band play for us on the way out!

We found this neat little hill to climb, and at the top was a small temple with a fortune teller, as well as several buddha statues.

Another selfie!

This is called organized ciaos! and it's everywhere!!! Not uncommon to see in many parts of Cambodia. In the background you can see some of the typical housing in the area. 

Beer delivery anyone! by tuk tuk! sweet!

Hope you're enjoying the pics, there are so many more to share! Gotta fly, my eyes are getting harder to keep open! Cheers! XOXO