Day 4 Pr Kravan, Srah Srang, Banteay Kdei and Ta Prohm (Tomb Raider)

We get up and decided on the temples again with the first stop Pr Kravan.

This little cluster of five buildings is built of bricks rather than rock and still has some intricate carvings and has been restored a bit probably as it was easier to do.

Srah Srang is a Baray or Lake with a short walk along the southern edge and a look at a local village. I am sure you could walk or ride a bike all the way around.

Banteay Kdei is a smaller walled complex than Angkor Wat.

The hawkers in this area are a bit of a pain but make a B line for the gate and the relative tranquility once through.

Next stop Ta Prohm a few minutes up the road to one of the most popular attractions and just about the most annoying with hawkers although we did buy some drinks and all the kids 

got a little bamboo harp.

Haven't seen the movie tomb raider but you get the idea. after seeing the temple with its large trees that are not only destroying the temple but also holding it up.

Stone rocks appear to be were they fell down possibly a couple of hundred years ago hiding what ever is underneath and hallways of carvings.

This temple is getting a fair amount of restoration with temporary walkways and cranes.

Lunch is next and we let our Tuk Tuk drive choose and we head back near to Srah Srang to a place called Palmboo. The kids have larger eyes than bellies so we opt for meals to share.

The kids share some toasted sandwiches and Nik and I have chicken and cashew nuts with rice.

The food is pretty good and a fair price.

The coconut milkshake is great.

The rain and thunder starts and after about another 20 minutes we leave and head for the

Hotel for some R and R.

For the evening we head off to Tangram Garden which is over the river from Pub St and hidden away down a fairly dark lane way. We decided to walk but if you book they can arrange for a Tuk Tuk to pick you up.

The meals and venue were nice and recommend the Sticky Ribs.

There is a small playground here probably best for under 5's and during daylight hours.

It had rained a fair bit during the afternoon and was very wet under foot.

Day 3 Royal Gardens, Fish Spa and "Phare" The Cambodian Circus

We asked our driver to drop us off at the Royal Gardens just to the north of the centre 

of town next to the river. Here we saw Harry's favorite flying fox's which were roosting 

in about half a dozen trees.

We had a short stroll through the park and headed along the river to find the post office so that we can post some postcards back to the kids school that we bought in KL.

Along the river bank are several statues and the kids had a ride on an elephant.

We found the Post Office then around the corner we found a hairdresser and 

Harry and I had a $2 haircut.

We then headed of to find our planned destination The Boulangerie which should be on St no 7.

we found it quite easily and settled at a table front of house. Sadly the Lemon Tart had sold out which was the reason we had come here on recommendation.

Anyway we had various sandwiches and panninis.

We headed to the night market area but found it closed at 2pm derr.

We strolled around the block and an area which had several smaller guest houses which would have been a reasonable location for the centre of town as they were away from the main roads but not too far from the night life.

After the kids pestering we had a group fish massage for 20 minutes at $1 each inc a beer or coke.

The fish don't really massage but eat the dead skin off your feet.

For the evening we have booked tickets for the Phare  Cambodian Circus the kids  seem enthusiastic and are enthralled to watch the hour long show which doesn't stop with action for the hour long performance.

The performance follows a story which can be best described as contemporary mythology and well worth the visit.

Day 2 Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom

Eventually got up for breakfast at about 9am after the best nights  for week.

Breakfast consists of eggs of your choice and bacon with a small selection of 

juice fruit and a really nice small jar of yoghurt.

As arrange of with our Tuk Tuk it was of to get our tickets for Angkor Wat.

We had decided upon getting a three day ticket for $40 which do not have to be used on consecutive days but within 1 week.

Children under 12 years are free but you must have their passport with you.

All the ticket purchasing done we head further up the road to our first stop at Angkor Wat complex.

We looked the temples up on line before we came but the size of each temple and and the area around each one is very impressive considering they are up to 1200 yrs old.

There are so many carvings carved surfaces and and many were originally decorated with gold leaf etc.

It is a hotter day as there is more sun rather than cloud and we take an option to keep in the shade which follows the tree line to the right as you go through the first gate. 

There are also the toilet facilities around this area but they are not sign posted.

From the side you can enter the main part of the temple and wander around most parts.

There are a couple of scams going on. In various places there are both Hindu and Buddhist statues where you are given and incense stick and instructed to bow etc etc and then make an offering at the foot of the statue where upon the person lift a small towel or similar and reveals a $5 and $10 note and requests similar.

Travel Tip  Carry small change such as a few local Reals for such purposes

As we leave and find our Tuk Tuk we also have a coconut ice cream from a local vendor ie moped with esky on the back 2 for $1.
We head off towards Angkor Thom and stop for a photo at the south gate to an even bigger complex about 5 x the size of Angkor Wat

The main temple once inside Angkor Thom is Prasat Bayon which is a smaller structure once inside and is easy to get disoriented and separated from each other as each corner is much like the last and there are far fewer people visiting.

We headed of for some lunch and rest to an area just to the north and had mix of local cuisine at tourist prices but again the food was OK.

After lunch we headed across the road to the Terrace of the Elephants which allows an elevated walk back south towards Prasat Bayon and views of other temples etc.

The southern end conceals the entrance to a royal palace which again has an elevated walkway which would have originally been over water.

This area is much less visited and quite pleasant without the sellers etc.

Its back to the hotel from here which isn't too far as we are supposedly the closest
hotel to Angkor Wat

We spend a few hours around the pool and blogging.
For the evening and dinner we head back into town again by Tuk Tuk and get of  near pub street to head across the river to Siem Reap art centre market.
This market had much less hassle with less of the "you buy you buy free looking"
and is very clean and tidy.
We end up buying two small back packs for the boys with a well known brand attached for school.
They appear to be well made even if they are not originals and some fishermans style pants for Em.

We head back across the river over the now neon lit bridge "pretty pretty " we look for somewhere for dinner and find a small place down Pub St Alley Angkor Famous which appears to have quite a few more
 refined eating establishments.

We ended up at one that we not as refined but was busy and Ummm ! value for money.
All drinks were 2 for the price of one or just a mere $3.50 for a JUG

Day 1 KL to Siem Reap

Well we survived the early morning call at 3am to catch the mini bus to KL LCCT.

Our flight left on time yeah

The airport at Siem Reap is small but perfectly formed nice and clean and unhurried.

There is a bit of paper work for visas to be completed and the line of a dozen or so officials

 to look at each passport.

Travel Tip After a fair bit of research we found out that kids visas on arrival are only $5 and not the same as $20 for adults.
Travel Tip There is only one ATM machine in the arrivals hall for US$ on arrival and there is a queue.
Also the machine may become faulty or empty and swallow your card as it did to some one else. Bring Cash for visa before you go.

We met our driver to take us back to our Hotel  Pavillon Indochine only about 15 mins away from the airport and one of the closest hotels to Angkor Wat

We were offered a cool drink and towel on arrival and we shown to our room which was available as it was only about 8:30am which was great.

The room which is a family room  ground floor sleeps 5 and is really nice with two bathrooms, minibar, kettle complementary tea and coffee and good WIFI.

The kids rush to change and off to the pool which is about 15' from the room door.

We headed of on our first trip across town in our complimentary TUK TUK to Jungle Junction we spent about an hour with the kids having a $6 which included Juice and a desert and about the same for an adult Burger with a beer

The Dentist

I had a dentist appointment booked for 3 pm which was made via email some months previously after 45 minutes a clean and polish and a replacement filling I was some $19.50 lighter in the wallet which

was worth the trip.

Update the whole family has now been to the dentist the boys as well for a check up which was free.

For the evening we headed into town on our complimentary Tuk Tuk and stopped at the Angkor night market had a wander around and bought sun glasses for the kids as it does get a bit dusty on the Tuk Tuk.

We headed across the road towards Pub St and ended up in the Temple Bar for dinner.

Nicola Salmon dinner