A photo diary of our half day, 30km round-trip bicycle ride to the Temples of Angkor...
The Random Wild Monkey Circus
We came across these wild monkeys along the roadside. They were everywhere and of course people were feeding them...lots...for many years. THE fattest things we have ever seen. And relatively tame, except for the young ones who were sling-shotting eachother off tree branches and literally doing cannonballs from the trees into the water. They also had no problem climbing up humans out of curiousity for those who were dumb enough to get too close. I had a small panic attack as I was filming them because I did not realize that I had been surrounded. I carefully moved outside the "circle" and was fine. Jodi stayed safely by the roadside, and you can see why by the horrified look on her face. "They are so gross, I don't want them to touch me with their dirty fingers." Too funny, and I must agree (it may be the nursing thing) but could not help think what diseases these animals may carry. I suppose they are cute in a way, but really mostly creepy and unpredictable (Cherie got bit by one in Thailand, Katie was seriously harassed by one there also and Jodi's cuz Dave had to fend off a group with a stick). P.S. We could not afford rabies shots before we left. Now granted, the horror stories we have heard have all occurred in Thailand, so maybe the Cambodian ones are alright. Nevertheless, we did not feel the need to have them latch on to our backs with their tiny claws and pull our hair like they did to one lady (see 2nd pic below). But I did manage to catch the whole thing on video...fabulous...the best 2 minute clip you will ever see but unfortunately too large to put on blogger. Also, there was the obvious carb addiction problem many of the elders seemed to have. They were scarfing down bananas and other unidentifed fruits faster than you could say "Atkins". All and all, it was by far one of the most entertaining scenes we have ever witnessed and continue to watch the video when we need a laugh. So here are a few pics that give you a glimpse into this impromptue stop along the road on our hogs (AKA pedal bicycles).
And after that ridiculous-ness we pushed forward on our hogs towards the most famous temple Angkor Wat...which was very cool but over-run with tourists so it seemed to lack the same quiet mysterious beauty as the others, especially Ta Promh (the one with the trees over growing it). Covering the huge area by bicycle is by far the best way to see these temples and the land in between them, it was so incredibly peaceful and relaxing. We were tired after 30km of course, but it is mostly flat and because of the breathtaking sites you hardly notice that you are pedalling. To go by tuk-tuk or car would not have given us the same experience, or enough time to soak it all in.
Siem Reap town which was not surprisingly touristy, but different from other SOuth-east Asian tourist Meccas as it had a very boutique-like trendy feel. Suppose its all the money from the Temples? But it was like a Banff in a way, but Asia style. Does that make sense? Anyways, way nicer than we expected, and grossly catering to westerners. Cute, though Phnom Penh was had a much more authentic feel to it.
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