So I'm cycling in a rural Cambodian village and some little kids see me coming and wave whilst shouting "bye bye, bye bye!!".

So I think, a little English lesson on the way past, so I wave back and shout "hello, hello" - at this point I am leaving them behind and they are now shouting "hello" and waving me off!

Oh well...

Angkor Wat is just one of many!


Ruins and temples everywhere, if you are in to your archeology then a week would just scratch the surface. Three days is more than enough for us (lightweights), following in the footsteps if Indiana Jones & Lara Croft we explore ancient ruins over run with jungle creepers and trees who's roots intertwine with the Walls and buildings (Ta Prohm).


Bayan temple is famous for all the faces, though when we were there they were mainly Japanese and had cameras attached! And this is the trick to visiting, walk in the opposite direction to the tour groups, hunt out the quiter areas and if your luck is in hit the temples out of phase with the coach parties and you will have a very different experience!

We dropped lucky on some, Bauphon felt like we were there on our own and it was amazing, others were a bit of a battle.

1. Beer(of the local variety) can be had from $0.50 a pop.
2. Food of all flavours is easy to find, good quality and cheap - similar but less spicy than Thai. Plenty of international choice should you need it.
3. Everything is one dollar, and I mean everything! 10 postcards, 4 bracelets, 2 beers, bottled water, tuk tuk to pub street $1 I go away (stop begging), $1, $1, $1...
4. You can get a 3 non consecutive day pass to the temples and it is the same price as the 3 consecutive day pass ($40).
5. You don't need a photograph for the pass, they take it and print the pass plus pic digitally (all included in price)
6. A tuk tuk will cost you $15 per day, standard price, so don't bother to barter.
7. A sunrise temple visit may sound serene and indeed that is what the other 2,000 people expected too!
8. The US dollar is the currency, it comes out of bank machines, everyone deals in dollars. The only time you will see Cambodian Riels is when a dollar needs splitting!
9. Walking or cycling - it's everyman for himself, just one big game of chicken!
10. There is more than just temples here (did I mention $0.50 beer).