Day 25: Siem Reap, Tuesday 2nd July 2024
Cloudy/fine, 34°
NZ$=KHR2500 ( Cambodian Riel )
KHR1=NZ$0.0004
NZ$1=US$0.60
US$1=NZ$1.6
US$1 =KHR4,100
Up 7:00am, downstairs for breakfast at 7:30am, and downstair to the basement garage and out at 8:15am.
Rode north through town, stopped at an ATM to get US$100 out, then north toward Angkor Wat ( through the Angkor Pass checkpoint where Liz chatted to the guard for a while… ) then east from Angkor Wat and around north, and then west to Ta Prohm temple at 9am. Parked the bikes and walked though the gate ( another pass check ) and down the tree lined path to Ta Prohm. It was pretty quiet with a couple of small groups around. We visited this temple last time we were in Cambodia ( https://www.ankhphotography.net/all-blog-posts/2017/7/16/south-east-asia-2017-days-37-39-siem-reap ) and it was probably our favourite; so we wanted to come back again.
Walked into and around this cool temple, with trees growing through the structures. It felt more complete than last time we were here 7 years ago so there has been a bit of restoration work done. We caught up to and through a couple of big groups of kids which had arrived ahead of us, and it was a was a bit painful trying to get through them and keep them out of the photos ).
Walked back out of the temple at 10:20am, then rode around to the Victory Gate and west into Angkor Thom. Turned South briefly then east again but this time along a dirt/cobbled road back out to the moat at the East Gate ( Gate of the Dead ) which is just south of Victory Gate, and is on the central axis of Angkor Thom. We spent a bit of time looking around this gate, then north again on another dirt road back to the road just to the west of Victory Gate.
Rode back through Angkor Thom and south to Angkor Wat ( busy as always ) then south back to Siem Reap on a different road that is west and parallel to the main one ( it seems to have no name ). This road took us into the heart of town and then we crossed the river to our hotel at 12pm.
Parked the bikes and up to the room, then out at 12:30pm and around the block to the north to The Muffin Man for lunch ( US$13 for pancakes, chick pea fritters and 2 shakes ) then back to the hotel to rest.
Back down to the bikes and rode them back to the rental shop to drop them off at 1:30pm. We had to wait for someone to appear as there was no sign of life. Drop off all good, and we got a free bottle of water each. Walked back to the hotel via the mini mart then relaxed. Pool at 4pm then out for tea at 6:30pm, back to Easy Speaking in Pub Street ; US$16 for a starter platter, chicken teppanyaki and 2 beers. Back to the hotel via the market in town; Liz bought a bangle for US$25 and AC a t shirt for US$10.
This was the last real day of touring around; tomorrow is a big travel day; Siem Reap to Bangkok to Singapore. Back to civilisation.