one down...

been out of the blogging scene for way too long. attempting now to resuscitate the whole thing.

alright..a lot have happened and we're going to back date this to a yr. this is the first attempt on trying to get some of the stories straight. and wanted to blog about this WAY back so starting with this..

June '09

went backpacking with a girlfriend to Cambodia and going out into a different culture and people change a lot of things in a way.

so, we were there for 8 days. First 2 days were spend it phnom penh (the capital) and then on the 3rd day took a 6hrs bus ride to siem reap to visit angkor wat.

day 1 and 2 (Phnom Penh)

arrived in phnom penh and first time in a tuk-tuk. our ever faithful tuk-tuk driver stuck with us the whole time we were in phnom penh and it helps a lot when u have a local insights to things.



Rach and I on my very first time in a tuk tuk.

Life in Cambodia.

The temple ruin we visited at phnom penh. Climbed 200 plus steps just to get here and it was worth it.

Was alone while Rachel took another 200 steps to visit another temple ruins. I was enjoying the view till this boy, who looked like he just came back from school pop into the scene. and was not really shy at all when he seemed to slide slowly into the frame everytime i tried to take a pic.

Then we visited the killings fields. A monstrocity of a place during the Khmer Rouge period.

The S21 used to be a school til they turn the whole compound into some sadistic torture place.

Day 3

left on a 6hrs very comfortable bus ride from phnom penh to siem reap and we made new friends. Ben and Anat who turn out to be the best of travel companions u could ask for.



Stopped for a short rest and as the saying goes, when in Rome...photo above is of fried crickets and spiders. Spiders looked somehow 'hairy' so opted for the crickets and they tasted like deep fried shrimps with a hint of lemongrass and curry leaves. Cambodians make some very tasty snacks.

Day 4 Temple Visits Day 1

Woke up at around 430am jus to be at Angkor Wat for the sunrise. And it was all worth it.

Just after the sunrise.

I think this was before we had our coffee and Anat seems to express our just-out-of-slumber-mode the best here.

The higher level of the Angkor Wat which was closed to visitors.

The Asparas or the heavenly dancers adored all the walls of the temple and they were a lot of them.



The elephant court.

Ben and Anat. The BEST travelling buddies Rachel and I could ask for :)

The one of the MANY faces of Bayon.



Those are fig trees behind us.

One of the gates to Bayon. I think this was the North gate.

Day 5 Temple Visit day 2

The highest monument in angkor wat. u could see everything from way up here.

Somehow the sky's more blue and the sunrays more beautiful here.

Sanskrits and some chinese characters?

At the former king's palace just before he moved to angkor wat.

Day 6th

Bantey Srey. the female temple they call it because of the more delicate and deep carvings.

One of the many monks you see around.



Rachel and our tuk tuk driver in siem reap.

7th Day

Took the bus back to Phnom Penh and stayed at a more sleazy part of towns. Someone recommended the hostel there as it was cheap. It was good but the night seems to be a bit more sinister there so we just stayed in and caught up on our sleep. and as i was looking through my folder. I can't seem to find any photos of those last 2 days.

Day 8

Back home and stayed with a good childhood friend, Pat. Swapping stories is always good.

The only photo of Rach and I when we got back. Hairan juga where all the other photos went..


So, attempt 1 done..will proceed to the several next attempts very soon.

and ya! helo people!