hannabnana goes to Cambodia


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    Nov.17

We sailed up to Siem Reap today in a fast boat - we left No.9 on the back of a motorbike with driver - with a backpack it's not the easiest. But taking a cyclo up to the fast boat harbor would take too long - so there was no choice. We sat on the top of the boat - although we were told to go downstairs - (the boat looked more or less like an airplane without wings) - there has been some cases where a Khmer Rouge or local fishermen has shot at the boats by it seldom happens!
It was a nice boat ride up - I didn't drink the water I should have had & the sun was on full power & I became dizzy.
Before reaching the harbor - some guys came aboard to recommend the guesthouses in Siem Reap - I told them we wanted to stay at Mahogany guesthouse. One of the men represented Mr. Proeun & he was happy. After reaching land we had to sign in with the officials & were the picked up in 2 cars with air con. from Mahogany guesthouse . Mr. Proeun recognized me & asked how John's arm was doing (an American guy I met in 93.- who broke his arm while staying in Siem Reap) - wow! Even in Asia I'm recognized!!!!
S.R. looked the same - we ate at Bayon restaurant - which was okay - then Annemette - David & I went out to find a bank & cash some checks. On the way back I became dizzy again & almost crawled back to the guesthouse - where SallyAnn & Jim gave me some stabilizer - that was nice & it helped.

Nov.18

We rented motorbikes with drivers today - we're not allowed to drive out & around the temples alone anymore - I don't know why! - But we can still walk around between the ruins alone - we just park the drivers & bikes at one of the food stalls & explore the mysteries alone. Everyone's impressed! First we climbed Bayon & I said hello to my special stone friend the Garuda - All the 200's of mysterious smiling faces looked down at us - like they all knew a secret they wouldn't tell. Bayon is known to be built by Jayavarman VII (1181-1201) & it's supposed to be his own face represented by the smiling faces 4 on each tower.
Then we drove over to Ta Prom, which to me still hold the mysterious feeling that it must have been finding the temples overgrown by jungle in 1860 - they cleared some of the jungle away but the huge trees & their fantastic roots make this temple so very special.
Ended the day at Angkor Wat (the biggest temple) - it's very royal & special - met Claes (a Swedish guy from the bus from Dalat - Saigon we had succeeded talking at least one into going to Cambodia) - so we all drove down to a hill with a ruin on the top where you can see to the end of the world & specially the sunset.
Then we all drove back to Siem Reap & met some more best friends Kim (Canada) & Richard (UK) - had dinner & went disco dancing to a Cambodian live band - we became the talk of town in 5 min.