goodbye and hello

Leaving Thailand was bittersweet. I will truly miss this place! Here are a few photos from my last few days there.

last sunset at Hippy Bar

Hippy Bar after dark

this is Jungle Bar - just down the way from Hippy Bar

this was my ride while on the island

Cha-Chai home - favorite place to eat on the island!

leaving :( i got to sit with Jim, one of the Hippy Bar guys. he was going to buy some foam to keep the noise down for the neighbors...

Upon arrival to Siem Reap, I hired a motorcycle taxi to get to the hostel. The ride into town was fun! Since I was on the back of a motorcycle, I got to feel the air, hear the sounds, smell the quite obvious smells, and even get a little dirt in my face - all things I would've missed in a car. The driver, Mau, offered to pick me up at 5am the next morning to see Angkor Wat at sunrise. I enthusiastically took him up on this. After settling in, I explored the city a bit but made sure to turn in early to get some rest for the next day.

I was advised by another traveler to go at sunrise, but to go inside the temple before the sun actually rises. Apparently everyone waits outside for the sun while the inside is empty. She was right! I could hear every step echo in the dark when I went inside. So cool. Here are way too many pictures...

my jaw about hit the ground when I saw this. and it just got better...

everyone waiting for the sun

so much detail everywhere, on almost everything

an idea of the scale

temple grounds looking out from Angkor Wat

for my German homies!

first and only monkey so far

you mad bro?

So that’s one temple. I actually saw two more, but that’s too many temple pictures for one blog...

After the temples, I checked out the war museum and learned me some history. Also, how much damage land mines really do. I couldn't help but wonder, who the hell sits around and designs so many different mines to injure and kill people in so many different ways? And gets paid!? It was a very interesting hour. By this time, I was pretty tired and went back to rest up. Later, I got an incredibly cheap massage and checked out pub street and the markets. Most of my other time has been seeing the city on foot, which I have really been enjoying. 

the smell is pretty intense in this tent...

ladies on tables!

something more refreshing...

Khmer dumplings

this restaurant was awesome. Haven Training Restaurant provides a free training program for young adults who's time has come to leave their orphanage. a Swiss couple started this in 2011. the service was great and the food was delicious. a must-go if you are ever in the city!

i went to Phare - a Cambodian Circus act, with a healthy dose of comedy!

pub street on Halloween

Next up is Phnom Penh. I catch the early bus tomorrow for the six hour trek and will have a few nights there. Then back to Siem Reap to catch a flight to Vietnam...