Cambodia - Bangkok - Chiang Mai.

Wake up boys, we've got a plane to catch!!

We leave the obscene luxury of the apartment and head to the airport with the lovely Mr Nin.

A political rally holds us up, but not for long.

Airport Art.

Plane number 1, Air Asia.

Farewell Cambodia.

Hi there Bangkok!

Airport refreshment. Burger King Vs Fish Ball Soup.

Flight number 2, Nok Air. It wasn't until about 20 mins in we realised we had been upgraded and were sitting in the yellow Premium Seats! Whoop whoop, first upgrade in 16 flights. Shame the flight only lasted an hour and the only benefit appeared to be a couple of inches more leg room, but hey, who's complaining!

Catch ya in 8 days Bangkok!

And the beautiful mountains of Northern Thailand appear.

Hello Chiang Mai.

This airports a breeze as we're on a domestic flight. Half an hour and we're in our next digs. A two room Boutique (hmmm?) Guest house. 'comfiest beds ever!' says Fred.

Night night. Xx

Last day in Cambodia

  Began our day at the Cambodia-Vietnam war memorial monument.

So many names.

The sun is out today and it's blazing, first blue sky in a while.

After a tasty lunch we head to Artisans Angkor, Cambodian fine arts and crafts. You can have a free guided tour of the workshops which was brill.

The company was set up at the end of the 1990's to help young rural people find work near their home village. Since 2012 the company has trained over 260 apprentices.

The paper stencil is glued to the block which is first machine cut, then continued and finished by hand.

We saw wood, sandstone and soapstone carvings which can take up to five days to complete.

From sandstone block to beautiful sculpture.

Carving soapstone.

We have a try.

It's pretty tricky. The apprentices take about 6 months to learn their skill.

Preparing copper for silver plating.

Painting and gold leaf for statues.

Silk painting.

Frangipanis.

Lacquering.

Several lacquered tiles together to produce this piece. We quite fancy it for our bathroom!

Ladies inscribing designs on part fired porcelain bowls. These were so delicate and simple.

The air conditioned design studio!

Finished products in the gift shop.

We love these Buddha heads. The features are so smooth, rounded and beautiful. They make you feel really peaceful.

And they can be shipped!

Brollies near pub street and we're gonna need them. Popped to shop, came out and road was a river!

A very wet Tuk Tuk home.

I think we are ready to move on, though it'll be sad to leave Siem Reap. We have loved the people here, many of whom have been scarred by terrible events but are doing amazing things to change their lives and their futures.  

Phnom Krom

We set off this morning for Phnom Krom a temple on a mountain about 10kms outside of Siem Reap towards Tonle Sap the massive lake.

Fab country side views on the way.

Lotus farms.

Houses on stilts line the road, most are no more than one or two wood floored rooms.

Monks on their phones.

Freddy reaches top of stairs!

The views are superb. Just fields and orange, brown and blue roof tops.

Chatting with the locals.

Paddy fields with Tonle Sap in the background.

We were the only visitors at the top. Saw a couple of people who stayed in the buildings and this pig!

Oh, and a sleepy cat.

Temple ruins.

My boys.

Storks, we think.

Amok Chicken, delicious.

Freddy tackles a skewered Wanton.

Satay.

Sticky rice with mango.

Last day in Siem Reap tomorrow, gonna miss this place.