Didn't feel much like a holiday to start with I must say ... rushing around over Christmas, trying to figure out what to take, and what not to ... trouble was, Hanoi would be cool, and the rest warm to hot. Packing for more than one area is always a challenge, so figured out pack light and take a couple of spare suitcases ...
Our first experience with Indochina was sitting at the very uncomfortable airport in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City or HCMC) waiting for the next flight.
After a wander around the airport however, we found a 'foot spa' where we all (yes, including the kids) got a 20 minute foot and neck massage! Very recommended.
On arrival in Siem Reap, we found that I needed to fill in yet more forms for immigration, which is the last thing we really wanted, but we stumbled through customs and found our driver, Ted.
Short trip wide eyed through the outskirts of Siem Reap and we arrived at our hotel - a 5 star resort - very much welcomed.
The following morning, at the un-godly hour of 5am (not that bad as it was really 9am Sydney time) we met our local guide, Tes Chaya and it was off to see the sunrise at Angkor Wat. Stumbling through the back gates of the estate we used our torches for the short hike around the back and to where a crowd had already gathered for the traditional 'wait for the sun to come up'
From there it was a journey from temple to temple - Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, and many more. Thanks especially to Chaya for his help (he was especially good when we told him he had 15 minutes to do the 1 hour tour when the kids got tired!). If you are interested in an experienced local guide that speaks good English in the Siem Reap and Ankgkor area, drop him a line at tes_chaya@hotmail.com .
Dinner in Siem Reap was at the hotel the first night - convenient and we thought not expensive - until we ate at the Kymer Kitchen in town the following night (a short $2 tuk-tuk ride away) followed by a wander through the night markets (t-shirts $2 each - buy for and get a free one)
One of Anne's favourites was the Elephant ride, despite her brother telling her they could turn on you... When she asked the guide if they 'could turn' his answer was that the guy on the front will turn them if it was needed!
In summary, three days on the go in Siem Reap saw as much as we needed, and as more than you could see in a month without a guide (we saw lots of people stumbing through with their 'Lonely Planet' guide books). Thanks again to Ted the driver and Chaya the local guide from Travel Indochina.
A note on the photos - you will note a link at the top of the index and each page market 'Map View'. Click on it and it will take you to the Google Earth webpages with each of the locations for photos marked (you might need to zoom out to see all)
Indochina 2010 - Cambodia