We decided to cross the border and head to Cambodia! We stayed in a tourist town called Siem Reap- the streets are lined with cute restaurants and hangout spots.
I’m happy to inform you that there is a Mexican restaurant called VIVA! in Siem Reap. Though I am partial to the black bean I was welcomed with warm arms, for the first time in 5 months, by refried beans, cheese, tortillas, and guacamole. I also received a free shirt.
We had dinner at a place called “The Blue Pumpkin” where I reclined on a larger than life bed and ate my “peanuts” flavored icecream with brownies. Yeah, so good.
THEN I went to a fish spa and let fish nibble at my toes. I could hardly keep my feet in there for longer than 3 seconds without giggling like a 3 year old. It was hilarious… all the Cambodian people kept telling me to put my feet in but I just couldn’t do it. It was a task to take this picture.
We went on an elephant ride at sunset down the hill from one of the temples. Riding an elephant has been a dream of mine, the dream more involved riding on its neck through water up to my belly button- but that will have to wait for another time.
This is where the 2 day tirp gets the best. . .
We stayed somewhere with AIR CONDITIONING! Holy cow. I had forgotten what it felt like to not be hot. We stayed at a guesthouse called The Red Piano. The Red Piano also has a restaurant that was dubbed Angelina Jolie’s favorite Cambodian hangout spot. I’m so cool.
The next morning, my actual birthday, we visited Angkor Wat. It is one of the manmade wonders of the world and it is INCREDIBLE. It is 60 square miles of ancient temples and ruins built in the late 11th century for the king. This is Angkor Wat at sunrise:
This place is seriously insane! There are a ton of temples at Angkor, built with the intricacy of a brilliant artist. One called Bayon had heads carved out of stone everywhere… it was crazy… I literally felt like I was entering into the temple of doom.
Apparently they filmed Tomb Raider inside one of the temples so, in the example of Lara Croft, I snuck past the boundaries and climbed up this tree root to snap a photo, who’s the Tomb Raider now?
What’s even more awesome is that you can rent a bike for $1 a day and explore all the temples by bike!! I mean, it is in a radius of 60 sq miles, but so fun! We didn’t have enough time to do that… so when I go back- I will definitely be biking Angkor.
Doens’t this tree look like it could eat you?
All in all, I would say that it was a good trip. We leave for Kenya tomorrow… Africa for 3 months!
It has been so sad saying goodbye to all the village kids. Especially my little friend Mo!!! She has a real sassy personality and a raspy voice. She gave me the biggest hug ever and was resting her head on my shoulder. Then when I was really saying goodbye she pushed me away- hopefully that was because she didn’t want me to leave.
Goodbye Nongkapka!
Goodbye mom and dad!
