Extreme Emotions

Today was one of extreme emotions. From intense irritation to awe and wonder; absurd gratitude to total respect for the courage and humility of others.

Meet Koko, he greeted me this morning with a huge grin and warm hug, he is the son of the proprietors at the Mandalay Inn, Siam Reap and as cute as a button.

I will get the irritation part of the day parked first so that I can focus on the positives. It came in the form of Kelly who didn't pause for breath all day. The best description I can muster after 12 more hours is a fourway genetic splice between the incredible repeating man, a bounding Tigger, Mork and 'band camp' bird from American Pie.  'I remember, there was this one time...nanoo,nanoo, ahhhhh!'

The Angkor Temples are up there in my top 5, truly breathtaking and responsible for the awe and wonder of my day. It is the largest religious monument in the world and built in the 12th Century, it is also where they filmed Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom; more info on Wikipedia but check out my photos.

I also took some photos of the markets and street sellers. I am totally blown away by the mastery of the English language by the Cambodian people. The really small children can count to ten and say '1 dollar, 1 dollar' and everybody I have met so far can hold a conversation. Sony (last photo) was a marvel, at 13 years old after asking me where I was from, fluently reeled off umpteen facts about the UK followed by 'cor blimey missus, apples and pears.' She has a teacher from London and likes selling as it gives her the opportunity to practice her accent; she was ace!

Because the Temples of Angkor are so vast I bought a 3 day pass and I am up early to do sunrise and visit some more obscure sites tomorrow. I have so much more to tell you about today! Alas the floating village I saw this afternoon will have to wait and why the experience made me feel absurdly grateful and have total respect for the courage and humility of others. Adi lady over and out.