Bangkok & Cambodia
Apr 15-29, 2006
AC001 YYZ-NRT, NH915 NRT-BKK, Apr 21: PG944 BKK-REP, Apr 22: PG947 REP-BKK, Apr 29: TG916 BKK-LHR, AC859 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
Late evening flight back to Bangkok for another week of meetings.