New day, new country

Arose early to take a short walk, back packs and all to the airport express bus stop.  After a brief walk along the still busy (even at 7am) Bangkok streets we arrived and sat waiting for the bus.  The journey to the airport was a smooth one, and so was check in (after triple checking our luggage tags were directed to the same place we were!), passport control and security.  We had a spot of breakfast in the infamous Thai eatery Starbucks, and then went to the boarding gate to fill in 4, yes people you read right...4 immigration forms for Cambodia!!

The flight with Bangkok Airways (apparently Thailand's 'Boutique airline') was a short one and in no less than 40 minutes we had landed in Cambodia at Siem Reap international airport.  The terminal was a small one, and the visa process confusing for some...especially the French lady who was determined to get past us (she should be lucky).  After collecting our bags we met our driver 'Pim', who escorted us to our rather glamorous tuk tuk.  A short but picturesque drive to our hotel was crazy with all vehicles competing for a space on the road.

Checked in and raring to go we headed out again, our driver Pim took us into town for a wander around the small centre; it was very different to the frenetic streets of Bangkok.  After a short wander getting our bearings we then met Pim again to drive to get our 3 day tickets for Angkor Wat.

The buzz of people around was incredible, this was definitely on the tourist map!  Tickets paid and collected we drove on further catching glimpses of ruins that were only a taster of what was to come.  Our first look at Angkor Wat was stunning, we couldn't wait to return at the early hour of 5am tomorrow for the sunrise!

Pim took us to the best spot to watch the sunset, from where we joined the masses climbing the steep steps to marvel at the incredible sight before us...it had merely wet our appetite.

We returned to where Pim was parked and drove the dark and dusty drive back to the hotel, where we spent the night in the restaurant sampling the local Khmer food of steamed fish in curry sauce...and of course the local Angkor beer.