From Ankor Wat to HCMC

As we travelled north to Siem Reap by bus 6 hours the fields greaw lusher and the cows fatter. Such a beautiful landscape. Siem Reap is a tiny city, filled with dust and unbearably hot weather. got up at 5am and left for Ankor Wat to spend the day touring the temples. The group of us along with many others climbed the steep stairs to the top of the main building in Ankor Wat, thought to be the largest religious dedication (this one is to Vishnu) in the world, to observe the gorgeous landscape. The steps are steep, as it is suposed to be dfifficult to reach the level of the Gods. Climbing back down was worse, as the steps are wearing away and the people look like ants at the bottom. It is amazing how much detail went into every inch of the Wats. Many of the Buddha's have been destroyed or are missing from the Khmer Rouge period, but Ankor Wat is the best preserved of them all.

We travelled around until noon by tuk tuk and saw as much as possible, but the heat of day rose to above 40C and it drove us home. Was a very gorgeous place tho, and very spiritual. We also went to the Wt where they filmed Tomb Raider...sweet.

After travelling back to Phenom Penh, Carla and I stayed on in Cambodia for a few more days as the rest of our group travelled to Viet Nam.

We arrived in HCMC(Saigon) yesterday afternoon, after a long bus ride and a hassle free border crossing. And, so far we love Saigon. It is huge and safe and well lit (so don't worry mom). We walked to the night market and fell in love with all the art and clothing (i will be broke by the time we leave!). Today we toured the city by cyclo, kind of like a bicycle with a carriage on the front which fits one person. I felt like a princess. It was a nice way to see everything because it is much slower than the motorbike we are getting used to.

We visited the Fine Art Museum, and were much more impressed by the 100 year old mansion it is housed in then the actual art. Not many of the museums so far have much in the way of English explantions, or explanations at all. Although the last place we went was the War Museum, which was of exceptional quality. With breath-taking photograpy exhibits commending the photograpehers who died in the war. And the size of the bombs were quite impressive. Actually seeing the size of a crater made in a rice paddy by a 3,000 ton bomb is something.

So we've just had our fill of Pho and fresh rolls and are ready to soak up the city night life. Hope you are all out doing the same on this friday night.

cheers, R