Luang Prabang...ahhh!

This town is lovely.  First time we have had comfortable weather.  It is cooler with lower humidity.  Had a long drive through the mountains from Plain of Jars to Luang Prabang.  Beautiful scenery and lots of hill tribe people on the way!

Off to Luang Prabang

We had a short flight to view the Plain of Jars.  Wasn't sure what to expect here but was advised that this is something you don't want to miss.  They were right.  It's a mystery as why these stone jars litter this area.  There have been traces of human bones so there is speculation that this was some sort of cemetery.  My feeling is that it dates back to the Stone Age.  Of all these jars there is only one with a carving of a stick figure on the side.  Feels like another Stone Henge!

  Now we're off to Luang Prabang.

The big one in Siem Reap

Today is my birthday. Wow! The big 60 but I sure don't feel it.  Started off the day with a trip to a local market.  This is one that the local people go to and sells everything!  They thought we were a bit of an oddity as tourists don't frequent this market.  That's what I really liked about our guide.  He took us to some different things.  Had fun showing pictures of Landon to the women there.
After that we went to a silk farm.  Thought I had done this several times before but this was really good.  Really interesting.

After that it was spa time!  Full Kmer body massage, foot massage and then a facial!  Each one took 60 mins. so 3 hrs. later I emerge.  Had to catch a tuk tuk back to the hotel as I felt very relaxed! Had my last swim in the pool at our hotel and then off to dinner we went.  Decided to go to the 'tried and true' so started with a frozen marguerita and nachos at Viva Mexico

and then pizza at Il Forno the Italian restaurant that we love.  Had an appetizer of prawn and scallop done in the most amazing sauce.  Great red wine (2 glasses tonight) and then lemon cello on the house.  What a day!  I'll remember this birthday for a long time. I wonder what 70 will bring?????

Floating Village

Today we travelled a short distance to Tonle Lake where there is a floating village.  These people are so poor it's unbelievable.  I took several pictures with my camera but forgot to take some with my I Phone so that I could post some.  We had so many parents come up to our boat with children about 3 years old to pose with a snake around their shoulder so that we would take a picture and give them a dollar.  There was one child that wasn't even two but was busy baling water from her mother's boat.  There was a school that we visited where we learned there are 300 children and 5 teachers.  The only way they get the children to attend is to feed them as many are orphans.  Our driver told us that if we wanted to help we could purchase a bag of rice for $25 and give it to the school.  With everything being so corrupt in a lot of areas this was a way of giving something directly to the children.  So many victims of land mines as well.  Amputees are frequent.

When we returned to town we went to the Siem Reap museum which was amazing.  2-1/2 hrs. later we emerge and it's pouring!  Short lived though and then a short ride in a tuk tuk and we're back at the hotel.  Decided on Italian food tonight.  Wonderful food.  
The manager is Italian but from New Zealand.  Very knowledgable.  Had Passion Creme Brule for desert and Lemon Cello on the house.  Booked massage for tomorrow, can't wait!  Perhaps we'll let the fishes feast on our toes first!

More temples

Today was our last day of our 3 day pass at Angkor and it's a day of more temples.  We visit one which was the university 700 years ago.  Quite interesting.

Again it's 36 degrees today and by 2 pm we're done.  Off to the pool and tonight we decide to go to a different restaurant.  We love Khmer food however we are getting tired of it.  We go for Mexican at "Viva Mexico" after reading the reviews. It's so handy having the I Pad to check on restaurants.  We have Nachos, margueritas and tacos for dinner.  It's so good!  Top it off with caramel cashew nut ice cream and we are done.  Walk around Pub Street and make our way back to our hotel.  Great night.

Our tour guide is really good at what he calls the "Kodak moments".  Here I am rubbing noses with one of the Gods at the temple.  Perhaps it will bring me luck and a long and healthy life!

Angkor Wat at sunrise

Today we struggle out of bed at 4:45 am to catch the sunrise at Angkor Wat.  We are told by our guide that March 26th is the best time as the sun rises directly behind the temple.  I can't believe how many people are here to experience the sunrise.

We then go to several other temples including the Terrace of Elephants.  We did go back to the hotel at 8 am to eat breakfast and have a short rest before continuing.  Good thing as I don't do we'll without my coffee.
Back to hotel at 2 pm for lunch and pool time before we head off to a special dinner with a show of traditional dancing.

Siem Reap - start of the temples

This morning we meet our guide and driver for our stay in Siem Reap.  He goes by Gem and is a great guy.  His English is very good and he seems very easy going.  While touring Angkor Thom he shares with us his story of growing up during Khmer Rouge era.  He lost two brothers during the genocide murders.  Seems unbelievable how much fighting and war has gone on in Vietnam and Cambodia.
We view the temple at Angkor Thom, the Bayon, Terrace of elephants and the temple where Tomb Raider was filmed with Angelina Jolie.  Amazing structures!

Very hot though.  Hitting 35 degrees and we're wilting fast.  Had a great lunch and decided to pack it in by 3 pm.

Off to the pool for some R&R, dinner down on Pub Street at Angkor Palm.  Pretty lively place at night.  We're getting picked up at 5 am to see the sunrise at Angkor Wat tomorrow so it's off to bed.