After we landed in Bangkok, we immediately started planning our side trip to Cambodia to see Angkor Wat. Neither of us had read much about Cambodia and really didn't know what to expect. What we had heard is that there are many victims of land mines and these victims can be seen on the streets frequently as you are walking about town. And we heard that Angkor Wat and the surrounding ruins are amazing. They didn't disappoint.
The people in Cambodia are very sweet and proper. Even though this is a country and people that has been obviously scarred from it's past, they will welcome you, help you and give you a lovely smile.
When greeting you, they will bow and bring their hands together. Where those hands are located depends on who you are and the level of respect you are accorded. For example, the higher the hand placement the more respect you are shown. Elders are greeted with the hands at the forehead and priests or holy men are greeted with the hands above the head. But most folks are greeted with the hands at the chest level.
One of the nicest people was an older gentleman we met while we were scrambling through the jungle to see waterfalls and some surrounding temple ruins (in the waterfalls!).
This man found us wandering with no clear direction and took us under his wing to show us where to look for the ruins. His smile and lovely demeanor warmed our hearts.
He spoke a bit of the Khmer Rouge and the awful vandalism that occurred during that rather long period to some of the temples. He also tried to tell us how bad it is in Cambodia, politically speaking, as it is struggling with rampant corruption. If it's possible for a country to suffer from low self esteem, Cambodia would be it.
We stayed at a lovely hotel in Siem Reap (Tara Angkor Hotel) that had really great service at a good price. All in all, the people of Cambodia are lovely and sweet.
There's so much more to talk about, such as the Land Mine Museum (http://www.cambodialandminemuseum.org/menu.html) which is organized and run by a former Khmer Rouge child soldier (Aki Ra). Mr. Ra has made clearing landmines his trade after years of laying them as a child years ago. An inspiring, sobering place to visit, to say the least.
And, our guide on our first day in Siem Reap, who was fantastic. He wisely showed us the surrounding ruins before taking us to the nearly pristine Angkor Wat.
If you can swing it, do yourself a favor and visit Siem Reap. Paul and I will return to Cambodia for another visit in the future.
The people in Cambodia are very sweet and proper. Even though this is a country and people that has been obviously scarred from it's past, they will welcome you, help you and give you a lovely smile.
When greeting you, they will bow and bring their hands together. Where those hands are located depends on who you are and the level of respect you are accorded. For example, the higher the hand placement the more respect you are shown. Elders are greeted with the hands at the forehead and priests or holy men are greeted with the hands above the head. But most folks are greeted with the hands at the chest level.
One of the nicest people was an older gentleman we met while we were scrambling through the jungle to see waterfalls and some surrounding temple ruins (in the waterfalls!).
This man found us wandering with no clear direction and took us under his wing to show us where to look for the ruins. His smile and lovely demeanor warmed our hearts.
He spoke a bit of the Khmer Rouge and the awful vandalism that occurred during that rather long period to some of the temples. He also tried to tell us how bad it is in Cambodia, politically speaking, as it is struggling with rampant corruption. If it's possible for a country to suffer from low self esteem, Cambodia would be it.
We stayed at a lovely hotel in Siem Reap (Tara Angkor Hotel) that had really great service at a good price. All in all, the people of Cambodia are lovely and sweet.
There's so much more to talk about, such as the Land Mine Museum (http://www.cambodialandminemuseum.org/menu.html) which is organized and run by a former Khmer Rouge child soldier (Aki Ra). Mr. Ra has made clearing landmines his trade after years of laying them as a child years ago. An inspiring, sobering place to visit, to say the least.
And, our guide on our first day in Siem Reap, who was fantastic. He wisely showed us the surrounding ruins before taking us to the nearly pristine Angkor Wat.
If you can swing it, do yourself a favor and visit Siem Reap. Paul and I will return to Cambodia for another visit in the future.
