March 17 & 18
Today we had a much needed later start to our day as we headed back to some of the less visited ruins.
Tanat took us first to Phrea Khan where we explored another perfectly symmetrical temple where part of Lara Croft: Tomb Raider was actually filmed! Next was Neak Pean, which was interesting as during the rainy season it becomes an island, but you can walk to it when the weather is dry. Our last two stops were Ta Som and East Bayon (a less impressive version of the Bayon we saw yesterday. At this point we were all pretty much ‘ruined’ out and decided to head back to soak up some sun and chlorine. Looking back it is so fascinating to think of how many different people and different 
rulers there were over the time of the Khmer era and how they continued to build and change and redevelop the Angkor area. What else, the fact that it sort of sunk into local legend for a few hundred years until someone randomly decided to explore it and start its restoration. How does something that huge just disappear into the vines of the jungle?
Today we had a much needed later start to our day as we headed back to some of the less visited ruins.
Tanat took us first to Phrea Khan where we explored another perfectly symmetrical temple where part of Lara Croft: Tomb Raider was actually filmed! Next was Neak Pean, which was interesting as during the rainy season it becomes an island, but you can walk to it when the weather is dry. Our last two stops were Ta Som and East Bayon (a less impressive version of the Bayon we saw yesterday. At this point we were all pretty much ‘ruined’ out and decided to head back to soak up some sun and chlorine. Looking back it is so fascinating to think of how many different people and different 
rulers there were over the time of the Khmer era and how they continued to build and change and redevelop the Angkor area. What else, the fact that it sort of sunk into local legend for a few hundred years until someone randomly decided to explore it and start its restoration. How does something that huge just disappear into the vines of the jungle? After some afternoon R/R we went to dinner and saw some traditional Cambodian Apsara dancing. Dad went back the guesthouse while Josie, Mark and I went to explore the night market a little. After some professional bartering we walked away with some cool souvenirs and decided to cap the night with a $3 foot massage. It turned out to be a hilarious experience as the girls massaging our feet were all 18 and giggled the entire time all the while pointing out how white our skin was.
We got up on the 18th and made our way from Cambodia to Northern Thailand via multiple modes of transport. 1st a taxi back to the border, then a bus to Bangkok and then an overnight bus from BKK to Chiang Rai. I gotta hand it to you Dad, not many parents would be up for an overnight bus, let alone enjoy it!
We got up on the 18th and made our way from Cambodia to Northern Thailand via multiple modes of transport. 1st a taxi back to the border, then a bus to Bangkok and then an overnight bus from BKK to Chiang Rai. I gotta hand it to you Dad, not many parents would be up for an overnight bus, let alone enjoy it!
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