Day 9: Siem Reap / Angkor Wat

Angkor Wat Jeep Tour

Today was an early start with the jeep tour (Tours by Jeeps Cambodia) picking us up at 5 am. It was still dark and lightly raining outside.

Our first stop was Angkor Wat. We lined up outside to try to see it in the sunrise. Unfortunately the clouds and rain didn't lend to a visible sunrise.

At 6 am, we were allowed inside. We spent the next 2 hours with the guide exploring the the temples, carvings, and different areas, while it sprinkled on and off.

We then got back in the jeep and went to a small family restaurant for breakfast. It was simple (omelet, toast and fruit) and it was delicious.

After breakfast, we headed to the "tomb raider" temple of  Ta Prohm temple. 

This temple is overgrown by jungle trees and vines, with many parts of the temple crumbling to the ground.

The area was covered in moss and had big trees with strangler figs.

After that, Steve was allowed to drive down country roads

to the entrance Angkor Thom, 

Here, the stone sculptures depicted demons and deities and included the Terrace of Elephants.

 After roaming around Angkor Thom, we took a short break to enjoy fresh coconuts and fruit. At this point, I wasn't feeling well (probably a combo of lack of sleep, being damp, and heat/humidity exhaustion)

Steve was allowed to drive to the next temple, Bayon. 

I started to go in,

but wasn't feeling well, so found a nice stone to sit on in the shade while Steve and the guide visited the temple. 

We then went to lunch at a small family restaurant. I had the beef lok lak and Steve had fish amok. Half way through we switched meals (I liked his better).

We drove past a few more temples then returned to the hotel.

After showering and relaxing for a bit, we arranged for massages from our hotel. It was a bit weird, since they did them in your room. I had a 90 minute foot massage (not as good as in Hanoi) and Steve had a 90 minute hot oil massage (he thought it was the best one yet).

After the massage, Steve took a tuk tuk tour of the town.

We then decided to have dinner at our hotel. We split a spring roll appetizer and shared a shrimp Khmer curry. The curry was delicious!!

We then headed to bed and get ready to join the river cruise tomorrow.