Angkor Wat

There is a lot of hype about the Temples of Angkor- and we are happy to report that it is well deserved! Our travels are more about helping people and working on projects than a tick list of all the wonders of the world (Angkor Wat is the 8th apparently) but we do get the occasional chance to check out some remarkable places. The trip started with a sunset visit at the crown jewel of the temples, Angkor Wat itself). The next day it continued with riding bikes from Siem Reap at 4:30am to catch the sunrise over the ancient ruins and didn’t end until the sun had set over the majestic Pre Rup temple (about 75 biking kilometers and 16 hours later). We climbed the impossibly tall stairs of Ta Keo and had the entire place and view over the rainforest tops to ourselves, we ate our breakfast in Ta Prohm watching a mammoth tree slowly breaking apart a beautiful structure of stone that must have taken years to build and has lasted over 800 years, we held the stares of the enduring 54 faces of Bayon as we weaved through the corridors, we stood on the backs of elephants at the Elephant Terrace, and that’s just to name a few highlights. Truly an amazing place! Let the pictures do the talking.

A Recap

It’s late July and our last entry was about Mother’s Day! A lot has happened over the last weeks, including having spent a month and half already in a new country- Cambodia!

A quick recap of our travels of late…

From the village Hat Sa we went to Laos second biggest city (not saying much) Luang Prabang where we thoroughly enjoyed delicacies we had been missing like bread- and even went out for pizza one night- cheese!!! Mostly though we worked 9-5 in an office catching up on the literally hundred emails, and project right ups that we had been neglecting not having internet or electricity for 2 months. Although we often missed the low tech simple days, we were extremely lucky to have an office, computers, and a free house to stay in (with kitchen!) to take care of our GROW stuff. All provided by our partner NGO on the last project, Bamboo Schools. Thanks again guys!!

Vang Vieng- a crazy touristy city where all the restaurants are playng re-runs of friends, and have been for 16 hours a day for at least the last seven years. Yes, that is insane!! And while most tourist go there to drink ridiculous amounts and tube from bar to bar, we enjoyed riding around more rural areas on rented bicycles, floating down the peaceful river with amazing scenery of karst mountains all around us, and spending some time on an organic farm. Here more than any place, we realize we don’t fit in with the typical tourist.

Vientiene- The Lao capital seems so far removed from the rest of the country- so much more modern and with lots of amenities. Our highlight was actually getting out of the city and catching up with our new good friend Seu who we had met in Hat Sa but is in medical school in Vientiene- we went to his cousin’s farm and cooked a feast with friends.

Tadlo- After a long but very comfortable bus where we had no seats but just a bed, and then another bus ride in which the aisles and foot space were so filled with cement bags about 4 deep we thought we wouldn’t even budge, we finally arrived in Tadlo. A beautiful part of the Bolvean Plateau there are so many waterfalls to enjoy. Our private little bungalow for $2 had a view right on the water and we enjoyed the hammock relaxation and swimming in the deeper pools while going to “Mama’s” for what she calls a plate of banana pancake (is nothing like a pancake) and I call a plate of heaven!

Into Cambodia!

Kratie was our first big stop where we stayed a few days, mostly taking in the new Khmer cuisine (is it bad to like food this much?) that is cheap and delicious! Ended up at a hostel where a friend we met on a farm in Thailand is working now- small world.

Sen Monoram- Two highlights here- we rode an elephant! Our beauty Sheeva was great taking us through the jungle to waterfalls and picnic spots, and we showed our appreciation by giving her a nice bath which was the highlight for us. The lodging was great as well- Nature Lodge was a cool place using natural woods and a great atmosphere set amongst gardens.

Phnom Penh- The nation’s capital is bustling with group aerobics classes in the afternoons and food stalls by night. We got a feel for the city over a few days there while making preparations for GROW projects to come.

Banteay Meanchey- Two projects in this NW province- composting at the Foyer Lataste Orphanage and environment and health displays and information for a library a Phnom Thom High School. Some of the best projects we have ever done in terms of community enthusiasm and participation. We met so many wonderful people that we really became close to and had great cultural exchanges- we were invited over to so many people’s places for lunches and dinners we lost count! Great working with Peace Corps Volunteers Emily and Justin that helped to make the projects happen!

Siem Reap- The Temples of Angkor! Beautiful and majestic- our favorite was Ta Prohm which shows how people had conquered nature in their huge buildings and designs, and then nature has come back and re-conquered with huge banyon trees working their way through the stones, making it quite the enchanting place.

More to come soon, but in the meantime as always we’ll let the photos in our web albums speak the 1,000 words for us.