Time to go home...

We've all had a really interesting time here in Siem Reap, despite the heat and humidity, the 'organised chaos', and the occasional (or frequent, for some!) tummy problems.  The food was lovely, although with tummy problems we were not terribly adventurous this time.  We really enjoyed our Cambodian BBQ, even though a table of young people next to us were having a great laugh when we tried to eat the big slabs of fat (with chopsticks, too!) that were actually meant for putting on top of the BBQ to cook with!

Our accommodation at the Frangipani Villa Hotel was well located, not too far from the central area of Siem Reap, and the staff were delightful.  The assistant manager, Ms Sokha Soch, was so helpful and attentive and the rest of the staff were so eager to please (and practise their English skills).  Thank goodness for the lovely pool and spa, and our very cheap cocktails and drinks around the pool each day - but then again, we needed sustenance to climb 64 stairs each time we went back to our rooms!  A lift would be lovely!
 
The temples were, of course, ancient and amazing - though after a while you do get a bit blase about them.  They are all quite different from each other, in varying building styles, and date from the 10th Century. 

We saw Angkor Wat (the most famous one, which is World Heritage listed), Angkor Thom, Bayon, Terrace of the Elephants, Terrace of the Leper King, Ta Prohm (the one with the tress and jungle overtaking it), Banteay Srey (the women's temple in pink sandstone, with elaborate carvings), Banteay Samre and Pre Rup (the one I call the hairy one - lots of grasses and weeds growing out of the top of the towers, like a good head of hair!).  

On one of our 'temple days' we went up in the tethered balloon and got an amazing overview of Angkor Wat, other temples, Tonle Sap in the far distance, and West Baray, a huge man-made reservoir and lake which services Siem Reap and the surrounding areas. 

We visited a village, some local markets, saw palm sugar being made (and bought some, it was like caramel fudge), learned to cook the Cambodian way, had our feet eaten by small fish, had a 15min foot massage (excruciating, but good) for only $1, bought lots of items we probably didn't want or need, and tried to learn a few Khmer words to communicate (very poorly, I'm sure) with locals and our guides and drivers.  

All in all, it was a great experience, and we enjoyed travelling with our friends, Lorraine and Bill.  So, what's next????