Today, with cameras at the ready, we toured Angkor Tom and then Ta Prohm. These are temples in the town of Angkor Wot.The first temple is being restored and it was absolutely amazing. The face of buddha was on all four sides of the towers and made for spectacular photography. It is hard to imagine how they took the crumbled stones and rebuilt it to what it is today. The temple has been both Hindu and Buddhist in its time.

Visiting Ta Prohm, the site of the movie Raiders of the Lost ark, still has tree roots growing through the temple to give a small sample of what all the temples were like when found. This temple again is a work in progress to rebuild.

Lunch was at a local restaurant before returning to the hotel for a break before heading out to view the sunset at the floating village.

The afternoon ended on a high as we caught a boat to visit the bamboo floating village. This village moves depending on the season of the year. The school with its 5 classrooms, store and various homes provided amazing photos. To end the day, the sunset was beautiful.

Waking early at Dasadana resort this morning near the national  park Lindy took a walk around the resort. Beautiful gardens and wonderful sunrise.

Departure was on time at 8am and we drove for about 3 hours to the Cambodian border. We were not sure what to expect in the way of time to exit Thailand with the cars and enter Cambodia. We were pleasantly surprised as with help from guides on both sides it was all completed in about an hour.

Next stop…Angkor Wat

The sights along the road were interesting. Not only were we now driving on the right side of the road (with steering wheel on right as well) but we had to contend with people overtaking in difficult places. Motor bikes and trucks were laden high and in general the scenery was flatter than we had seen before…the delta allowing the many rice fields to produce.

As we were waiting to clear the border I watched a lady crunch on a cicada like feast…her morning snack.  One of the many sights we shall see!

Leaving Bangkok (Day 6) in convoy we proceeded to Khao Yao National Park. It is a heritage listed park and we were able to see Gibbons both in the trees and as we were driving along. Elephants droppings were sighted but unfortunately no wild elephants. The park has about 300 elephants and 10 tigers. However spread over 2,500 square kilometres it is not surprising that we didn’t sight any.

Stayed at a gorgeous resort…Dasadana for the night. Crossing into Cambodia tomorrow.

The cars performed well…all eight having no problems so far!

Leaving the hotel at 6am we headed off (day 5) for the floating market about 3 hours away. When we were close . at 8.45. Win (our guide) asked us if we would like to see the “dangerous market”  Mental visions would come to mind on why the word “dangerous” but this was soon explained. The market was set up on a narrow train track and 4 times a day the train would come through. Each time the market sellers…of fruit and veggies as well as seafood and meat would roll their awnings back and products off the train  and as soon as the train came through quickly all would be back to normal.  The next train was due at 9.00 am so we had time to walk the track to the station and watch the flurry of activity. Was fascinating and well worth seeing.

All safe from the train we continued in the bus to the floating market. By small narrow boat we followed the canals to the centre of what was called the floating market. Kilometres of canals…lead to a market on the edge of canal with some sellers and buyers being both on land and in the boats. Interesting but more touristy than I expected.

However having just walked the train track the images of this were still very strong and took away from the impact of the market.

Lunch was at a Rose garden centred on a lake…a popular place for Thai weddings..then  home to make final preparations for our departure from Bangkok in the mgs since bringing them back from the containers.