A happy Christmas to everyone - it's very strange to be sitting in the hotel internet place with hot sunshine outside and Christmas carols wafting from the speaker system!
Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom were as spectacular as the guidebooks portray and we were amazed at the sheer size of it all! We also visited some 11th century carvings on the rock base of a stream and waterfall after a 2 Km walk under shady trees on a rocky uphill path. The walk would have been enjoyable of itself but the carvings were well worth a visit. On the way back we explored a small but exquistitely carved temple and a landmine museum, which reminded us of the tragic history of this beautiful country.
As in all South East Asian countries corruption is rife and politics uncertain, with a small percentage of rich people holding the power which means that unrest is likely to continue (e.g. Bangkok) .
We had an early start yesterday (5am) for the long journey to Bangkok through the border and into Thailand. The contrast with Cambodia is immediately evident as you cross the border with Thailand appearing much more prosperous and westernised.
We are staying at the The Royal Orchid Sheraton for 3 days as a Christmas present to ourselves and our 7th floor room has the most wonderful grandstand view of the river. We were sat watching fireworks over the river when we came in last night, having had a farewell dinner with our group. After 4 weeks together we finally say goodbye to our great guide Mr Pong this afternoon as he is taking a group of us around the Royal Palace. It is his day off but he wants to show off his home town to us! As a group 8 of us have been together for the full 4 weeks and really have got on together really well so we are very sorry to say farewell!
We hope Doreen et al are getting better and we hope to give you all a ring tonight (your morning/afternoon!). If we don't manage it have a great Christmas and a happy New Year... we will be in Kao Saok National Park in a raft house on a lake at New Year so unlikely to be able to contact people then. Lots of love Ann and Iain
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5 comments:
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!
We have just spent 2 hrs opening all the pressies! Thank you for all the pressies. andrew says thank you very much and hope you're having a wonderful christmas
hi janice and darren here merry christmas. Erin says "happy christmas and thank you for the present I love it!". Love you both loads, Hil, Andy, Erin, Phoebe, Janice, Darren and Grandma xxxxx
Hello :-)
A merry christmas to you both from me and Ryan! It's been lovely here, eaten too much, drank too much, the usual really. We're going up to mossley tomorrow morning so will be nice to see hils et al and iain. Will be sending you festive thoughts through the ether. Have a wonderful new year, I'm sure you will, and see you in the not too distant!
Lots of love and yuletide wishes,
Lizzy xxx
p.s. Phoebe is now on solids and loves chewing on turkey ha ha ha xxx
Hi Ann & Iain,
sounds like your having an amazing trip through Asia. I loved Cambodia!!! enjoy hearing about your travels....
hope you both have a great new year!
all the best, Sarah (from your India tour all that time ago)
Hope you had a lovely Christmas over there ...
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