Author still...the Hogarth!




Our main aim once we had reached Cambodia was to see Angkor Wat in the north of the country, to achieve this we had to board the Angkor Express and if the boat looked as good as it did on the ticket we were in for a luxury cruise up the river to our destination. Come the morning we arrived at the port to be met by a vessel held together by a wing and a prayer and an engine like no other I had seen. No worries. Decision made sit at the back good vantage point for photos and taking in the ever changing scenery! Schoolboy and girl error number who knows what made this trip. Petrol engine - petrol fumes - back of boat a petrol sniffers paradise!






We stuck it out for as long as we could leaning out as far as we could in the end both of us found a seat that was bearable, all the clever people are on the roof! The journey was 8 hours and it started in sheer squalor around the jetty kids, dogs, litter, clothes washing, bodily functions, fishing, more dogs, hammocks, mosquito nets we saw it all as we chugged along. Just an incredible experience to glimpse into their everyday life and their survival.







At lunch a cunning plan was put into motion and we ventured onto the roof having used the facilities at the service station. This being a hole in a plank in the floor looking straight into the river whilst the locals swam not 10 feet from you. Grim!




Once positioned on the roof we experienced a visual feast of scenery, locals and fresh air! In addition the heat was just incredible - one of the main differences to Thailand! It is a harsh environment and one I am glad to be not working in.






The last part of this journey was arriving in the world largest flood barrier Tonle Sap. It is enormous, huge and just big. We plodded along to arrive at the port of Siem Reap our home for the next three days; we were met by a cacophony of sound kids screaming, tuktuk drivers shouting, market people selling everything you could need or want for your visit.






Somehow we found ourselves in the back of a tuktuk driven by a man called Ponluk who was to be our guide over the next few days. The journey to town along another smooth pothole free road was something to behold as we passed motorbikes laden with goods and people 10 feet high. This really is Cambodia!





He proved invaluable as again at our chosen destination there was no room and he knew a man who knew a man etc who had a very cheap guest house with one room spare just for that special couple! To be fair it was lovely and only just been built marble floors and en suite bathroom all for 7 dollars a night Bargain! A good start set for an exciting day at Angor Wat tomorrow.....