Wednesday 4th – Friday 6th September 2024

After my full on Temple day and then a couple of cocktails yesterday I woke up initially feeling fine then developed a Migraine which started with visual disturbance, flashing, squiggly lines and then a headache 🤕 I haven’t had one of these for years. I’m lucky, as a couple of painkillers sort out the headache and the visual aura fades after about 30 mins. I put it down to a lack of sleep, the heat and a my first proper cocktails for a while!! 

I am going to try and be more mindful about drinking plenty of water. 

I had a nice slow morning. Breakfast is included in my stay at the hotel and it’s always very pleasant. Very chilled, quiet and my scrambled eggs always come out in a 💛 Shape! 😍

We had some pretty heavy rain, which is kind of helpful as it means you can’t do lots so don’t feel bad lolling about!! I opted to do some laundry! The hotel offers a laundry service but it’s really expensive, they charge per item. I usually just find a laundrette and do it myself, but I haven’t seen one, so I’m hand washing everything….Joy! 

Once the rain stops I go out for a little wander. It’s lovely and shady walking along the river and I follow it down towards the Royal Palace and gardens. Someone tells me the palace is open, but buggered if I can find the entrance!! 

I continue my meandering and walk to the Made in Cambodia Market. This is a small collection of artisan makers selling all sorts of gorgeous things. Homemade jams, Cambodian alcohol, jewellery, art, ceramics, clothing, beauty products. Everything looks incredible and it’s all made in Cambodia by Cambodians. The difficulty for me is that this is the off season and everywhere is really slow, I’m the only visitor at the market so everyone wants you to buy their wares! I would love to be supportive but I simply don’t have the capacity or need anymore stuff! 

Although I somehow leave with a small bag full of various lip balms!! 🤦‍♀️😄

Apparently September and October are the quietest months for tourism in Cambodia. I guess all the school holidays are over in lots of countries and it’s the rainy season! The advantage for me is that places like Angkor Wat are not crawling with people the disadvantage is that hotels, cafes and restaurants are very quiet, so less interaction for me! Also when I’m out and about I get asked constantly if I need a Tuk Tuk, I’ve found that if you smile and say No Thank You politely in Cambodian everyone is cool! Politeness and smiles go a long way here. These guys are simply trying to make a living. 

It’s another early night for me as I’m up again at 5am for my last Temple visit. 🛕 

The lovely Mr Rattana is ready and waiting at 5.45 and we head off. Driving through Siem Reap a little later is interesting, it’s surprisingly busy! 

Over near the Royal Palace there is a large open space filled with people doing aerobics and other fitness classes. They also have a large selection of fitness equipment, like the stuff we sometimes have in parks, which is also really busy, there are loads of joggers and even more cyclists 🚴‍♂️. I think the Angkor Watt Park area is great for bikes, it’s flat, shady and the roads are well maintained! 

I have to say that the sunrise this morning is stunning, it would have been spectacular at Angkor Watt! Not cloudy as it was when I was there. 

I have decided that I’d like to revisit the temples around Angkor Thom in particular Baphuon, 

We arrive at the temples by 6.15 and there isn’t soul around! Everyone is still at Angkor Wat watching the sunrise! 🌅 

I honestly can’t adequately explain how magical and wonderful it is to be walking amongst ancient ruins at sunrise with just nature for company. 

The sun casts a beautiful golden light onto the temples and the rays of sunlight through the trees reflect on the intricate spiders webs and dew that sparkles on everything. 

It is breathtakingly beautiful. 

The spiders webs are everywhere, some much larger than others and they are also spread across must of the doorways I need to go through! 🕷️ 🕸️ 

I come across one web which is incredible. I’ll post a picture. The large X in the centre has been weaved by the spider itself, amazing. 

I’m so glad I came back to this Temple as I’m able to explore large parts I didn’t see on Sunday. 

The carvings around the Elephant Terrace are superb. 

The most memorable thing is simply being there, alone, soaking in the atmosphere, the sights the smells, everywhere smells beautiful, woody and fresh. 

Whilst the clear skies and bright sunshine are great first thing in the morning, I’m also glad that it was cloudy on Sunday for my visit as by 8am  it’s bloody boiling 🥵 

Mr Rattana and I take a slow drive back through the complex, stopping to take pictures along the way. I asked him to stop when I spotted a huge Spider sitting in the middle of its web. (I’m sure he thought I was mad!) I have been reliably informed by my beautiful Georgia that it’s a Giant Orb Spider, huge but harmless. 

A fabulous morning, one that I shall remember and cherish forever.

The rest of the day was spent swimming, walking, drinking iced coffee and relaxing! 😌 

I did go out in the evening for something to eat. I’d found a place that did falafels, which I really fancied. Memories of the Falafel place in Chaing Mai spurred me on. 

I jumped in a Tuk Tuk even though it wasn’t very far. I showed the driver where it was on the map, he nodded said OK and off we went. It should have taken 3-4mins to get there. I knew he had gone the wrong way almost immediately, but thought he might know more than me, apparently not! After stopping and checking my map 3 times. We eventually arrived 25 mins later!! 😂

Sadly the food wasn’t great either, the lady running the cafe was lovely, but the falafel just tasted wrong, no hummus or tahini but lots of sweet chilli! I eat it, as I was very hungry but was a little disappointed.

A nice bowl of coconut sorbet back at the hotel cheered me up! 😍

My last day in Siem Real was spent, packing organising and having a last wander around. 

Siem Reap has absolutely blown me away and has far exceeded my expectations. If you are thinking of having a holiday in Thailand or Bali, have a rethink and come to Cambodia instead! It has so much to offer. There are beaches as well as awesome historic monuments! 

I was sad to be leaveing my beautiful hotel and all the amazing staff. Everyone has been so kind, attentive and helpful. Mr John the manager made us have a group photo before I left! 😍

Another day another bus! 

When I googled buses to Battenbang the site I often use ,12go, came up with a selection of small minibuses, they are ok but not the most comfortable or a private taxi which is expensive. I was chatting to one of the staff and they said about another company VET, this is a Cambodian company with a large selection of routes a couple of nice big coach’s and a good price! So that’s me sorted. 

Next stop Battenbang!! 

Books Read.

Die of Shame. Mark Billingham. I liked this, the Author writes the DITom Thorne books and he puts in an appearance right at the end! 

Have a fabulous weekend beautiful people.

💚💙🩵❤️🧡💛