The Kingdom of Cambodia

Hello again! We are now in Siem Reap, Cambodia. If you don't know where that is, you're forgiven. I didn't know until I started researching for this trip. But, I know you'll know where we're headed from here - Angkor Wat. We just arrived a couple of hours ago and will send an update after we've experienced our first day exploring the temples. However, suffice to say that so far Cambodia's made a good impression.

Since writing last, we stayed in Hanoi's Old Town. It was really great to stay with friends in the sticks, but staying in central Hanoi is where the action is! Besides, our ever gracious hosts are rather busy with finishing a school year (which of course means report cards) moving house in 1 1/2 weeks, and packing for their summer holidays in Europe. They're currently more than a little busy! Hang in there guys, summer holidays are coming!

Our hotel was in the heart of Bia Hoi - that's draft beer, very cheap ($0.25/glass) and plentiful! A different bia hoi place on every corner just down from our front door. I've noticed an interesting phenomenon in Hanoi. At lunchtime, small sidewalk restaurants open up and serve amazing local food. If you don't want that food at that particular moment, 2 bad things can happen. One, you can't find it again. Two, it packs up after lunch, not to re-open until the next day. So even if you can find your way back, well, it just might not be there. It's a great way to mess with your mind.

I mention this because the bia hoi places were something else in the day. But in the evening, the beer starts to flow. And, as mentioned, one on each corner (kind of like Starbuck's at home, but different.) We went to one, which we didn't really like as it was a bit stinky and had lots of tourists at it. So we went to the local's place which was kitty corner and we had pots of fun there. We sat next to a group of 4 youngsters that could really pack away the beer. Amazing, considering they were of average Vietnamese size (read: tiny!) They kept ordering food from various places: the lady who walked by with her long pole with baskets at each end. She pulled a scale out of somewhere and sold them 1/2 kg of some kind of fish cake. The bia hoi place provided peanuts. They bought a banana leaf wrapped thing (which we think was shredded meat of some kind) and wrapped bits of the meat in a different kind of leaf and dipped it in chili sauce. And, best of all, they offered us tastes of everything. I think it might have been my puppy eyes staring at their food - Woody and Pesto have taught me well. Mark and I staggered away after only 4 beers - lightweights that we are.

This morning we took a cyclo ride to Ho Chi Minh's masoleum. Wouldn't you know that Friday's the only day that it's not open? To be honest, I didn't really have much interest in going inside. I feel kind of sorry for him, he wanted to be cremated and spread in the 4 corners of Vietnam, and instead he's gets gawked at by all sorts of folks.

We also went to Temple of Literature. It is the site of the first university in Vietnam, and operated from 1074 until 1802. It seems that one had to be pretty darn intelligent to study there. Nothing like having the king himself give you an oral exam for your PhD. Impressive.

Unfortunately, we missed seeing the water puppet show in Hanoi. But, at the Temple of Literature, we did see the retired water puppets for sale. Are they really retired or just old looking? We'll never know. Cute little fellas though.

Our flight from Hanoi to Cambodia was uneventful, but arriving in Siem Reap was amazing. First, you get to exit the plane via stairs, and walk the short distance to the building which is styled after a temple (wat). Then, the customs guys were actually smiling and joking, dare I say flirting with me?!?! What is up with that? Cheerful smiles? Customs? They could teach our guys a thing or two. A very pleasant experience in all.

Upon exiting the "terminal" we expected to be mobbed by touts offering taxis and hotels, but instead found a quiet and orderly taxi queue with an official ticket counter. We asked for a taxi car and the ticket seller convinced us that two motos (motorcycle taxis) were cheaper than one car so we each hopped on for the 7 km ride into town. You know, it's a great way to get around.

Must go and find dinner soon. More on Angkor Wat tomorrow (should be easy to blog as the internet cafe is directly across from our guesthouse.)

Cheers!