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28 October 2014

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You are in: Cornwall > About Cornwall > About Cornwall > Rachael in Cambodia

Sunset in Sihanoukville

Rachael in Cambodia

Rachael continues her online blog exclusively for the 91Èȱ¬ Cornwall website. Here is part two of her diary from Cambodia...

I went, I saw, I left and what an amazing experience it was! I'm talking about the Angkor Temples.

Map of Cambodia

They were truly breath taking. On the first day there, we went to watch the sunset over Angkor Wat - the colours of the sky and the temples themselves were stunning. Then we woke the following day at 4.30am to go and watch the sunrise - but even being tired it was definitely worth it. When we arrived it was still dark, but once the sun started to rise the sky lit up in a beautiful pink colour and the reflections of Angkor Wat on the water were amazing.

I took so many photos when I was there - at least 200. Each and everyone is spectacular in my eyes. We decided to visit the temples in just one day, so it was a busy day for both Nay and I. We hired a 'tuk tuk' (motorbike with covered seating being pulled behind) for the day, as it was so hot and it was a 17km loop around the temples that we were visiting.

Bayon Temple

The faces of the Bayon Temple

The one which I liked the most was the Bayon temple. The whole structure of the temple was covered in faces – enormous ones which stared right at you. They are all a 'must see' if you're ever in this part of the world. I'd also recommend that if you have the time, then maybe take three days and take your time over each temple and see more than we did - as there were lots of temples that we didn't have time to visit.

It was just yesterday that we went to the temples and I'm now writing this entry from my hotel in Thailand. We arrived here today via taxi, bus and subway. It took us the best part of a day - so both Nay and I are quite knackered now. But I thought I'd get my diary up to date before hitting the sack.

Ankor Wat

Angkor Temples

We're staying in Khao San Road - the famous 'backpacker street'. It's crazy here. Once I've ventured out into the city, I will report back to you all with the latest on Bangkok, Thailand. Oh yeah, and for those of you who may have realised - I haven't gone to Laos - I've come straight to Thailand instead with Nay. I was going to go to Laos on my own, but as Nay was coming this way - I decided to come with her instead.

We are only going to stay in Bangkok a couple of days and then we're heading down to Phuket on the west coast of Thailand - where the Tsunami hit quite badly. Then from there I think we're going to Phi Phi Don and then over to the East coast to Ko Samui and the surrounding islands. And then it's party time at the Full Moon Party on Ko Phangan.

Phuket

The beauty of Phuket

We have had our first full day in the buzzing city of Bangkok. It was fantastic with lots of shopping in this huge shopping mall - based through three buildings - it was great. Also it had the most amazing food hall - there was every type of food that you could possibly imagine - Nay and I were in heaven. There were lots of tasters of everything as well - so we're both well and truly stuffed now and there is no need for dinner tonight. I did a spot of shopping on the Khao San Road and bought myself a pair of knock off 'Diesel' flip flops for about 2 GBP - great. More shopping tomorrow and then we're off to Phuket on Sunday - booked a flight today for just 10 GBP each - how good is that?

There is a good feeling in this city - everyone seems happy and you can feel it in the air - I like it. At first I had thought that I wouldn't like it here, what with it being such a gigantic city - but I've been proved wrong. Whether this feeling would wear off after spending a lot of time here, who knows - but I'm only here for two and a bit days in total, so I reckon I'll be fine. Then here we come Phuket - yey, the sea again - oh how I love the sea.

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Phi Phi Don

Phi Phi Don scenery

I'm back and I'm now currently staying Phi Phi Don Island on the West coast of Thailand. It's a stunning place and what makes it even better is that there are no roads, which means there are no cars here what so ever. It's so peaceful. We have been here for a couple of days, just chilling on the beach and working on our tans.

Previous to here we were on the island of Phuket for a few days. That was an experience and a half - it was like being on a Spanish package holiday.

Nay and I took part in a few nights out drinking, but regretted it a bit the following day as we had to nurse hangovers - what a life hey. We were staying in the beach resort of Patong on the west coast of the island. And Patong is well known for it's 'Go Go Bars' and 'Lady Boys' that line the streets at night. All so friendly as well, one called Jennifer befriended me one night! It's only when they speak that you realise they are all boys.

Life's a beach

Lam Sing Beach in Phuket

Definitely had fun in Patong, but it's not the kind of place I'd go back to. Whereas Phi Phi Don is a different matter - I really like it here. Nay and I are going on a snorkeling trip for the day, I am really looking forward to that as the water here is so clear. We have been told that there have been many sightings of Black tipped sharks recently, so if we're lucky then we will get to see some tomorrow - let’s just hope they're not hungry for Cornish blood. I will be back to report on our trip in the next few days.

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Boo hoo - no sharks - but we did see lots of turtles, they looked so elegant swimming, such beautiful creatures. As well as them we saw lots of pretty fish, the names of which I don't know apart from the Angel fish that we saw - so pretty.

On the same day as the snorkeling trip we also went to visit the beach that was featured in the film 'The Beach.' It's called Maya beach and would be beautiful if it wasn't for all the speed boats and people there. You see, it's only accessible by boat - so you get hordes of people there everyday.

You also have to pay to go onto the beach, so it's a huge tourist trap really. We managed to get around it though by getting dropped off around the other side of the island that it was on and then having to swim a little way and then climb through a hole in the cliff and then walk through some jungle to get there.

Phi Phi Don

Sandy beach in Phi Phi Don

This made it more exciting and it were as though I was a character in the film. After our day of snorkeling we chilled on the beach for a while and then tackled the hundreds of steps up to the view point on Phi Phi Don. It was a long and hard walk up in the heat, but was worth it for the view which we were awarded with once we reached the top.

It was then time to move on from Phi Phi Don the following day and we are now all the way over the other side of the Thailand on the East coast on the island of Ko Samui. For now though, I think that this diary entry is long enough, so I will save that part of the trip for the next entry! Hope all is well back in Kernow, or where ever you are in the world! Love Rachael x

last updated: 21/06/07

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