Siem Reap
I began my Cambodian adventure with my friend Steve. We set out on bus from Bangkok, and with only moderate hassle at the border followed by hair-raising driving into oncoming traffic, we made it to Siem Reap. The very first evening, after our $1.50 dinner, we wandered into a street party accidentally as we were looking for our guesthouse. It was a combination New Years party (it was the 4th) and Hotel Grand Opening party right there in the dirt street. It looked blocked off at first, but the six cops that were outside the railing motioned us that it was OK to walk through. There were tables and chairs all around leading up to a dance floor. There was a band on stage, and people in the street dancing around a pot of flowers. As we made our way past the dance floor, one of the guys motioned for us to join them. Who am I to pass up a good time? Before long we found ourselves engulfed in this festival of fun with free beers being placed in our hands and laughing away with people who barely spoke English. A great first night!
The next day, for $12, we commissioned a driver to take us to Agkor Wat and many of the other surrounding temples. They are truly spectacular. Built in the 12th and 13th century, they were first Hindu and then Buddhist. An amazing feat of construction in any day. Some of the temples have been used in the Tomb Raider movies with Angelina Jolie, and every guide can will tell you that!