Back to Cambodia

One of the highlights of my travels since going to Thailand was my trip Cambodia, which was the first country I visited after moving to Bangkok, back in October 2009. Without a doubt, the temples of Angkor are one of the wonders of the world and as they are only a cheap train and taxi ride away I took the opportunity for another look.

The town of Siem Reap had changed quite a lot, with new stores and an upgrade to the river bank. The photo below shows the view from the hotel of the waiting Tuk Tuk drivers, the Siem Reap River and a fairly green and leafy town.

The river was lower than last time as it was the dry season but they have tidied up the banks and built a new bridge.

The town is just as charming as ever and the restaurants are fantastic, mainly in the little alley shown below. Khmer food is very good, subtly different to Thai food.

Last time , I did not have a chance to visit the largest lake in South-East Asia, Tonle Sap, so we took a boat trip to see the unique floating village. The photo below shows me on the boat in a comfortable chair you would expect to find in a house!

The first thing that hits you when you arrive at Tonle Sap is the size of the floating village. Everything a normal town would have is there, except that you can't easily go for a walk!

We passed this family out fishing on the river that feeds the lake.

Rural life in Cambodia is still very simple although tourism and using the US Dollar is helping some of the more fortunate have a better life. One thing you do notice everywhere are the signs for the Cambodia Peoples Party and that most people are still riding bicycles.