Our final destination in Cambodia was Siem Reap, home of Angkor Wat. The AirBnb we stayed at was lovely, a beautiful garden many Buddhist statues and a fantastic pool, it was more of a small resort that a typical AirBnb. The owner is originally from France, who moved to Cambodia in 2018, spontaneously telling us living here was much better than Paris. She had local staff help her with the six small houses that she rents. They also make lovely breakfast and meals to enjoy around the pool. Unfortunately, Alastair has another ear infection, thus he and Sophie stayed home our first afternoon (end of the school year and trying to get as much done when she can), while Aiden and I went to explore the city and a local market and pick up basic supplies. We were thrilled to discover a fantastic gelato place on our afternoon out together. Another day we returned for Greek dinner and gelato.
In preparation for our visit to the famous, massive archeological site we visited the Angkor Wat National Museum. We learned the extensive site was more of a city. including the famous Hindu temple (subsequent leaders converted to a Buddhist site as the country converted to Buddhism). We learned some of the stories from Hindu mythology, to help us understand the meaning and stories behind the extensive carving on the Outerwall. that associated with the temple. The museum opens with a short video introduction, which shows a sunrise famous picture over Angkor Wat temples. You then enter the first gallery, which is the thousand Buddhas helping you to understand that although anchor originally began as a Hindu temple and city with time Buddhism dominated it.
That evening, we were excited to attend the Phra circus. We began with a backstage tour. One of those in the show before that opportunities for people who are living in Cambodia. It was created by seven men who were survivors of the rouge era. They had worked with music therapist and learned how the arts and creative expression could help with recovery from trauma and thus started the school. The show was impressive with all sorts of tricks and acrobatics, including unicycling, tightrope blocking and tightrope unicycling, different acrobatics, lifting people juggling balancing aerial silks and an aerial hoop, as well as lots of comedic parts. The setting was based in a nightclub in Phnom Penh, where things get a little lot of hand through the night, allowing lots of comedy to be injected into the performance.
Sophie and I enjoyed exploring some of the great craft markets in Siem Reap, it was a great place to do a little shopping. Celebrating my birthday here was fantastic. I had the morning out by myself while Alastair and the kids looked after school and home stuff. That afternoon we went to the Angkor Wildlife Aquarium and conservation center, built in 2022. We decided to travel by Tuk-Tuk, the most common transport method in Siem Reap, unfortunately the vehicle that arrived to pick us up was small on engine size and high on age. The ride which should have taken 30 min in blistering heat took over an hour. In the end, the advantage of this was we had the place practically to ourselves. As it was the close to the end of the day, we were initially told the Tiger would not be seen as they were cleaning it enclosure. As we were walking away an excited staff member caught up to us and told us to come see the tiger. She enthusiastically told us the story about how two tigers have been donated to the aquarium and after they were there a few months, one tiger gave birth, so they now have three. She explained the complex dynamics of the two female tigers fighting with each other to care for the young male tiger, such that they now must be separated from each other. We enjoyed watching a group of playful otters chasing an insect. It was nice to see sun bears again up close. The aquarium is very it new, it has a huge focus on education about the impact of environmental change on animals and ocean health, it also helps endangered animals by trying to help rebuild certain populations. The fish tanks were huge and held some amazingly large fish, much bigger than any fish we have ever seen before. There was a great aquarium tunnel with up close views of stingrays and sharks. The reptile exhibit with bugs and snakes was also great! Unfortunately leaving the aquarium we could not get car on the Grab app, the Tuk-tuk driver from our earlier journey had waited, knowing we would need to return, and he was the first to respond on Grab. It was another hot and long ride, but worth it to for the experience. That night we celebrated my birthday with dinner at Olive, a lovely French restaurant. I had an amazing scallop with edamame risotto, something I would love to recreate when I get home. We had some amazing desserts and everyone enjoyed their meals. On the way to the restaurant, we stopped back at the local craft market as luckily, I had realized that two of the pieces of leather work I had purchased had not been added to my package. I am grateful that I showed Sophie my purchases, thus realized I was missing some gifts instead of discovering this back in Canada.
We will remember our dinner on the famous Pub Street, not for the famous food, but instead our dramatic family Kaiser game. Aiden and Helen as a team kept getting fantastic card and we’re really leading the way until Alastair and Sophie yeah got the perfect Kaiser score of 24!
Leave a Reply