Day 53 Angkor Wat

 Temple Day! 

I researched the numerous blogs on line and found a suggested cycle route for a day tour. The temples are quite far apart so we knew we would just see a few but hopefully we would remember them.  With another 36 degree heat looming, we left at 7.30am after Mr Buns scrumptious breakfast of pancake and fruit. Angkor Wat was our first stop. Built in the 12th century, and described as a hindu- Buddhist temple, it is huge and magnificent. Thousands come here each morning for sunrise, but not wanting the crowds or the early start, we found the numbers fine at this later time. After a chilled stroll around and a cold drink we cycled onto the next temple. All the temples we saw were subtly different in size, construction, level of condition and degree to which they had been restored. One in particular was known as the temple with trees growing out of it. We overheard one guide saying at this temple that if a seed takes root within the walls, this is now removed to prevent further damage. That obviously hadn't been done in the past. 

The scale of the temple complex and the number of temples is vast covering an area of 402 acres. After Koh Ker, this became the ancient Kymer Capital. Why they needed quite so many temples we have no idea. Most tourists here have a tour of the temples by tuk tuk or minibus. As the heat increased this did then seem like a more favourable option as we arrived at a temple streaming with sweat while others looked cool as cucumbers. 

By 1pm we were looking for our final temple on the list!! I spotted it as Pete cycled past, caught him up and told him I was going back to have a look. He decided to head for home. My last temple however  involved walking up a hill where although I was rewarded with distant views of Angkor Wat, a huge reservoir and miles of jungle, was in the throws of being restored big time so wasn't as impressive as many of the others.

I managed to navigate back to the homestay to find Pete on his 3rd beer having promised Mr Bun his bike and secured a ride to the airport on Monday. Definitely prefer to give Mr Bun the business than a random hotel in the centre of Siem Reap. 

Quiet afternoon and then the obligatory game of UNO with Mr Bun’s daughters and fellow young guests Isabella and Charlie. After more happy water, they went to see the circus and have a night out in Pub street while we spent a contented hour taking it in turns to draw small pictures in the one piece of blank A4 paper I had and one pen, with Mr Bun and his two daughters aged 7 and 4. They lived it and there was lots of laughter.