You’ve done the hand over notes, and set your out of office message. You survived the flight, including the dodgy chicken (just). You’ve landed in Bangkok, and there’s only minutes between you, cheap beer and banana rotis. Disembark, immigration, luggage, taxi – BEER! But what if you’ve made a rookie mistake (or just a bit […]
Why I’m such a morning person (when I go camping)
There is something wonderful about camping and mornings. How sweet is it to wake early, to the sound of bird calls. The darkness lifts and the sky changes from grey to purple, to pink and blue. I lay in my sleeping bag, looking up at the ceiling of the tent. The eucalyptus canopy overhead played […]
Siam Dreaming’s Guide to booze and food in Siem Reap.
After a full day of climbing temples, appreciating ancient art and getting lost in history, you’ll be ready for a cold beer. I’m not one to turn down a drink, or a plate of food mind you. Which is lucky, because Siem Reap is booze and food central, and it can be overwhelming. Let me […]
Cambodia Diaries – Angkor (Day 7)
Awake early. Today’s the day. The Big Kahunas, I keep saying. Angkor Thom, Bayon and Angkor Wat. It feels an appropriate way to end our epic sightseeing tour in Cambodia. Flash Angkor passes again, and break away from the rolling masses heading for Angkor Wat. We’re heading for the ancient city of Angkor Thom first. […]
Cambodia Diaries – Craft Beer (Day 6)
All hail the rest day. Legs, feet and brain are all grateful for a lazy morning. A late start, a late breakfast. A morning of housekeeping; pick up our washing from the lady across the street, buy more underwear, visit the bank and post the postcards. The holiday version of “adulting”? Walking around the Old […]
Cambodia Diaries – Phnom Kulen (Day 5)
Arrived home last night about 8pm. The night passed in a flurry of Mexican food, fruit smoothies and straight to bed. On the road this morning by 8am. We join the rolling masses, flashing our Angkor passes as we enter the archaeological park once more. We pass the busy carpark near Angkor Wat, heading for […]
Cambodia Diaries – Koh Ker (Day 4, Part 2)
Make tracks for Koh Ker. Another two and a bit hours of bone rattling roads. I doze off occasionally, but am shaken awake by the car bouncing through pot holes. Give up, and watch the countryside whizz past. Terrain has changed from dry baked dust, to dry scrub land. Neat, rectangular huts on stilts are […]
Cambodia Diaries – Border – Day 4
Up and out by 8am. Hitting the road today, to the Cambodian-Thai border. To disputed lands. Devid asks us to take our passports, in case something happens and we need to prove our nationality. Sounds ominous. As we drive, Devid and Patrick discuss the history of Preah Vihear, the border dispute and the claims from […]
Cambodia Diaries – Old Market (Day 3)
A sleep in! After three full on days in Singapore, and a 4am start yesterday, the later start is blissful. No plans for the day, except to cut some laps around the Old Market area of town. Maybe tend to the aching legs and feet. The Old Market is a squeezy block of brick stalls, […]
Cambodia Diaries – The Others (Day 2, Part 2)
Leaving the swarm at Angkor Wat, we make tracks for Ta Prohm, the temple made famous in pop culture by Angelina Jolie. It’s almost deserted – all hail the guide who “gets it”! Slow, methodical restoration works are occuring here, and given the way the banyan tree roots have taken over the sandstone structures, I […]