Argh! An early morning. Left at 6am before breakfast to beat the other tourists to Angkor Wat. Were the first to Ta Prohm, which was not a temple but an ancient university. Climbed through the ruins, then sat around and ate breakfast, which had arrived from the motel on a tuc-tuc, in the quiet. Then to Ta Keo - a Hindu temple with a very steep climb up the stairs sideways, a short stop to see two small temples – Thommanon and Chau Say Theroda - while we waited for the morning crush to leave. All to no avail. Bayon was still teeming with bus people, so we joined the throng and had our cultural history lesson around the wall. Bayon had lots of four headed statues, instead of temples. Quick look from a distance at Baphuon which was under reconstruction, then to the Kings Temple with a swimming pool for the king and a separate small one for the Queen.
Through the wall to the 'Terrace of the Leper King', which was really the royal crematorium. Along the Terrace of the Elephants where the King would review his troops prior to battle. By this time we were beginning to be templed out, so back in the bus to a $3.50 lunch of chicken and lemongrass.
After lunch our guide squeezed in Preah Khan before letting us go to Angkor Wat around 2. We were all pretty tired, but Angkor Wat is pretty awesome. Long walk down the causeway to the entrance. In a couple of levels before you get to the steep steps to the inner sanctum. So steep they have installed stairs to help you get down. The purpose is to have to exit down sideways so you can't point your bum at the temple. Nice breeze at the top and lovely to sit and reflect in the cool.
Back to the hotel at 4:30, tired but satisfied. Showers and laundry. Walked into town and went back to Molly Malone's for another nice dinner. Saw a few fireworks on the way home after having another dismal attempt at cappuccinos. About 90 channels on the TV but few are worth watching.
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