Thursday 29 October. Goodbye Cambodia

No rush to get up this morning so late breakfast and then back to the room to pack up. Time for a last coffee and try to catch up on the blog and FB posts. Bags out by 11.30.

Checkout midday and coach to airport at 1.30. A bit of rain just as we set off but we have been so lucky not to be rained on apart from 1 day. Passed a big market that is open every day. it is a public holiday today for the Kings coronation so not lots of traffic.

It is about an hour's drive and hardly anyone in the big airport that was built 4 years ago.

We pass a lot of roadside food stalls and I had noticed that many of them appeared to have hammocks strung near the tables. Apparently the hammocks are offered free of charge to patrons who eat a meal there and then want a sleep!

Along the way we see lots of water buffalo. Many are up to their heads in mud to keep cool.

Not cheap parking for sure. Easy enough check in at the airport but once we had been issued with our tuckets a staff member asked us about changing our seats so that another couple could sit together. Unfortunately her explanation was so complicated that Im sure she was eventually telling us that she had already moved then together. Anyway as her explanation was not being any clearer we both said that we world have window seats! Not sure where I'm sitting in the plane now...

We head to the lounge and are happy to have a light lunch, a cuppa and a wine until our flight in 1 1/2 hours. Plane delayed half an hour but we finally board and pleased that e do actually have seats, but as there were only 8 passengers in business class I can't work out why we had to change seats. Dinner was huge and I didn't make it half way through although I have now tried my first Bellini which was most refreshing.

Late arrival into Singapore means only enough time for me to buy my TWG tea bags, J to have a cuppa and then a long walk to our gate where we are about the last to board. Singapore is certainly pretty by night.

We then take off for our 7 hour flight to Melbourne. I did have an initial Bellini but no more alcohol, bus I did enjoy my steak.

Arrived in Melbourne safely and got through customs and Immigration easily. Quick walk to the domestic terminal for our flight to Adelaide. I am able to self check in with my suitcase however J had trouble due to having bised her Qantas points for a business class seat only to be told that she has been bumped off the flight as it is overbooked and a Qantas technician team have been added to the flight, taking up business class seats which is part of their contract! Eventually J is found a start on the plane but in economy so now we are both sitting together with the peasants... At least they arrange for us both to be able to go into the Qantas lounge while we wait for our flight home in 3 hours. I'll end the blog now as I am sleep deprived and not feeling at my best with this darn cough and runny nose that is persisting to annoy me. It has been a great holiday. Thanks for sharing it with me.

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.