Bangkok & Cambodia

April 15-29, 2006
Apr 15: AC001,NH915 YYZ-NRT-BKK, 
Apr 21: PG944 BKK-REP,
Apr 22: PG947 REP-BKK
Apr 29: TG916,AC859 BKK-LHR-YYZ

This was mostly work, but cannot go that far and not do something interesting on the weekend, so ended up with a holiday in Cambodia (I couldn’t resist) – unfortunately I couldn’t pack a wife (if you don’t get the joke, you’ll need to listen to some Dead Kennedys or move on).  Siem Reap was a cool contrast of third and first world that unfortunately collided in the restrooms where we had lunch, with a good case of food poisoning (apparently running water isn’t required in Cambodian restaurants).  Although I exhausted my boss and coworker and we all spent the second week of the trip with a poor stomach, it was still worth the experience and I got to cross off another of the places from the 50 list.  For good measure, I routed myself home around the world the long way (via London).

Apr 17
Bangkok, touring after arriving late on the 16th, work on the 18th

Jim Thompson’s House in Bangkok

Khlong Saen Saeb River Taxi - fast and scary ride 

The view from the end of the ride looking more calm

Wat Ratchanatda - mid 19th century temple

Democracy Monument - without protesters

Apr 22
Siem Reap our one day of touring, arrived the night before

The crowds of Angkor Wat at 5:30 am

Can you tell this is world’s largest religious structure? 

One of many Hindu images (1113-1150 AD)

Library in inner courtyard

Main temple from East (back) Entrance

Carved rock columns -- covered many windows

Recreation of original roof with 800m of carving

One of four ceremonial basins -- only for the gods

Looking to main entrance from upper level

Main Central Tower

The stairs we climbed (luckily we didn’t die)

Kevin (my boss) climbs down safely

The other world... time for breakfast in our hotel

Dave (coworker) holding a cashew fruit (nut on top)

Another temple... they were becoming a blur

Banteay Srei (967 AD) East Gopura

Ta Prohm has not been cleared of the jungle

Jungle makes for unique experience

Ta Prohm - 12th to 13th century

Unfortunately trees destroy structures

Banteay Srei central shrines

Typical local housing and recent well

They are actually restoring and removing trees

Bridge to Angkor Thom (12th Century city)

One of the Gates to Angkor Thom

The Bayan at the Centre of Angkor Thom

Some of the many faces (construction started 1200)

More Bayan faces

How many faces can you see?

Still alive at mid-afternoon, but fading

Full view of The Bayon from the back

River from Preah Khan entrance 0causeway

Preah Khan root that looked like elephant trunk

Some monkeys along road through Angkor Thom

Main entrance of Angkor Wat at Sunset

Last view at the end of a very long day