Bangkok Heat

Bangkok is quite the place. We stayed at Rikka Inn on Khao San Road.
After turning in early (4) for a "nap" we woke at 3am to explore the
city. What we came out to was a street party of ghetto blasters (read
not boom boxes) and absolutely wasted people. The market was gone but
the stench remained. City workers diligently swept with straw brooms
and garbage trucks navigated the pilon like after party-ers.

To renew our faith in Bangkok we took the skytrain to the weekend
market after being scammed by a tuk tuk for the first time. The Market
was gianormous. Over 200,000 stalls of common goods and indepedant
clothing designers. Most shoppers were Thai but the afternoon brought
more tourists. In the end we left with many bags...dehydrated and
exhausted.

The food was fairly good in spots. We wandered off Khao San to find
more places. We treated our sore feet to a 30 min massage for only $3!

The next day we tried to see the grand palace only to be royally
scammed again in textbook Bangkok style www.bangkokscams.com. But all
is well minus one credit card. Rule of thumb in Bangkok: if anyone
approaches you to strike up a random friendly conversation - you're
most likely being scammed.

The next day we nervously headed to Cambodia. We took the sky train
then attempted to walk to the north bus station 500m away across 2
parks and 2 highways. Luckily we met our first true thai friend who
showed us a short cut through the park. It was a 5 hour bus ride
(where I fell in love with kareoke music videos) and a sketchy border
crossing but we made it and met a girl from Utah who has been teaching
in the south of Thailand.

We came to our lovely Motherhome Guesthouse in Siem Reap (see tripadvisor.com
). After a 2 hour taxi ride, demonstrating southeast Asia driving
skills at it best, we vowed never to complain about Calgary drivers
again (until we get back).

Today we hired a tuk tuk from our guest house to an outlying temple
and the greater circuit of temples near Angkor wat. We were nothing
short of amazed and look forward to another tour tomorrow. There is
lots to see in this complex so we are glad we gave ourselves 3 full
days and an excellent driver, Mr. Thon, age 23.
Khmer food is also proving to be delicious with there own spice blend.
Siem Reap has exploded over the past 8 years but it still seems like a
terrific tourist town with genuine
hospitality and excitement.

We hope all is well at home! Love Erin and Erik