Part 1- Cambodia

We made it back from our trip! However...since it was such a long trip, full of many adventures and much excitement, we have decided to break it into 3 parts. 

Part 1- Cambodia



Our Hotel



The first stop on the trip was a quick layover in China...and let me tell you what, security is intense.  After a thorough frisking and complete bag check we were on our way to Siem Reap, Cambodia!



Flying into the Cambodian airport was definitely our favorite landing.  We flew over some floating villages, arrived just at sunset, and could instantly feel the warm weather.  It reminded us of a second honeymoon with the palm trees and hut-like airport.  Yep, we loved Cambodia :) 



We arrived at our hotel and it was MUCH more than we expected for $20 a night.  The staff were all friendly and welcoming and we woke up to a great breakfast.



Stilt Houses



We started off the day by traveling around 1 1/2 hrs. to a fishing village on Tonle Sap lake.  Most of the houses are built on huge stilts and since it was the dry season they were about 30 feet above the water.  We traded our car in for a boat, and traveled through the village.  The people who live here don't have much, but have learned to live off their surroundings.   



Some houses are built on sticks, others have bamboo attached to the bottom so the houses rise and fall with the lake.   We even saw a Vietnamese village that supposedly just floated up the river from Vietnam.  These villages were very colorful and even have a floating school and market!  



Cambodian School Kids



We ended our boat trip with a walk around the community and got a few minutes talking with some little kids in the village.  

Next, we headed for the jungle ruins of Angkor Wat!  We packed a lunch and told our guide we wanted to have a picnic.  He told us he knew of a perfect spot in front of Angkor Wat and would take us there... His "perfect" spot ended up being a restaurant outside of the temples, so we awkwardly ate our peanut butter and jelly sandwiches on fine linen tables. 

At last, we headed into the temples.  Even the man with the ridiculous walking farts couldn't take away the beauty of Angkor Wat!  We spent the rest of the day walking through jungle ruins and exploring ancient temples.  Sadly, the day had to end.  We said goodbye to our awesome tour guide and headed back into town for dinner and a walk through the market.  We ended the night with a romantic Tuk-tuk ride.

The next morning we got up and headed by taxi to the THAILAND border...