Wednesday 28 October Angkor Wat

Up and out the room for our 4.45am departure from the hotel to go to Angkor Wat to see the sunrise over the temple! Seemed like a good idea when it was booked but we are all bleary eyed and I'm feeling a bit poorly, having finally succumbed to Julie's coughing and running nose bug! Anyway, we arrive at Angkor Wat in the dark so our lovely guide Ravy, gave us all torches to stumble around with. It had rained overnight so there were plenty of puddles and mud to avoid.

It really was beautiful and I can certainly tick that box now. Just as the sun came up, I spotted a rainbow behind.

We then toured through the temple which had a really interesting history in that it started out as a Hindu temple and then a Buddhist one. I took 37 years to build in sandstone. Most of the statues have been removed through theft or to museums. Most of the statues have had heads knocked off and there are bullet holes throughout the buildings as a result of Khmer Rouge target practice! There are 3 levels. It is really steep and as the sun came up, the humidity became oppressive but we all soldiered on.

Walking away from the Temple we passed the library and saw the warning about the monkeys.

Across the floating bridge and back to our coaches for the hotel. The police barracks is just across the road from our hotel.

We then head for a late breakfast in the hotel, but it isn't really all that late as it is only 8.45am! Back to the room to have a go at getting the blog up to date. J had booked a horse and cat ride somewhere but I have the morning to myself so decide to go for a wander up the street along the river. No shortage of tuk tuk drivers wanting to take me anywhere, but I continue to decline. I have a jolly time seeing all the creatures along the river path.

I then see alarge Buddhist temple across the road so have a lovely time checking out all the statues and creatures. I literally have the place to myself until I get around the side of a building and see what I think is a wedding party. I am definitely not dressed for the occasion so instead head off down the street again.

They do like their roundabouts here, placing different statues in the centre. I was quite taken with the nursing mother one, near a hospital.

I wandered down some side streets and came across a pharmacy where I think Ive bought some cold and flu tablets but as I was only given a strip of tablets rather than a whole box, I just hope they aren't contraceptive pills, cos that would be a waste of my $4 US! Back in the room for a cuppa and more blog catch up. J arrives back in the room to regale me with her adventures of a stubborn horse! We then set off for our last tour of the day and this trip!We head to visit the Bayon temple at Angkor Thom which was the last and most enduring capital built in the 12th century. We then visit Bayon temple with its carved stone smiling faces.the stories etched into the walls are amazing in their detail and cover nearly every wall.

Lots of wedding photos taken around most temple grounds. Even see some monkeys but we're warned to stay well clear of them.

Back on the small bus to drive past the Elephant Terrace and then our Last stop to take photos of the western entrance to Bayon Temple.

Time for a quick shower and change for happy hour in the bay and then the farewell dinner which was a bit underwhelming. Back to the room for bed. Our holiday has come to an end so suitcases to be packed in the morning, check out of the hotel and head to the airport.