Wats and wats of wats

The temples, or wats as they are called are 6.5 km north of Siem Reap which to get to you either need to higher a tuk tuk or a bicycle.  I did both.  The first day of temples I rented a bike for one dollar and set off for the many temples to the north, Angkor Wat being the most famous but not necessarily  the most awe inspiring .
I rode to four of the different temples first Angkor Wat which I walked around in for a bit after I got some delicious street food.  It is old, large and beautiful and covered in tourists....Next temple please!  After I left for the famous faces of the Bayon temple in Angkor Thom.  Here there were fewer tourists and I was able to peacefully walk around through the many pillars of giant smiling faces.  This temple was steep and interesting.  I hung around a bit then moved on to one more temple then finally Ta Prohm or more well known as the location for Tomb Raider with Angelina Jolie.

Ta Prohm is by far the most interesting temple to me because it has been over grown with the trees planting their roots all around the hidden temple and jungle.  Although it has been pruned back it still feels slightly more forbidden or lost.  It has a slight air of mystique and with fewer tourists would have been an ideal place to explore. The temples were fun to see but after a day of riding my bike and walking through them all day I felt a bit templed out.

At the temples there is a problem and frustration which aided my temple exhaustion.  Every temple you  go to you become accosted by the children of Cambodia trying to sell you cheap bracelets, post cards, books and drinks.  They come in swarms all shouting "you buy my...." No matter the number of times you decline or walk away they always continue.  When they finally realize they can't change your mind and you don't want to buy they walk away mumbling or sometimes just blatantly say a good old F&*^% you!  So sweet.

I was about to give up a second day of templing but was invited by my fellow hotel guests to go with them on a rock and roll tuk tuk the next day.  That's right, ROCK and ROLL baby.  I of course could not resist.  The second day our amazing tuk tuk driver showed up in style with dvd players, speakers, ipod hook ups, music and a cooler.  What more could you ask for?  With my companions, a Brit boy, and 2 Aussie boys we set off on our adventure, headed for the smaller temples away from the north and to the east. 

These temples were less impressive but the day was made by our amazing tuk tuk driver who would pull into the temples doing donuts and yelling rock and roll.  He was an ex monk that stopped being a monk to support his family.  A month ago he got the idea to convert his tuk tuk into an unusual and unique tuk tuk which rocked!  As we pulled into the third temple we started the donuts with our music blasting.  The children from the empty restaurants came running over trying to get us to eat at their restaurant.  Normally this would have been annoying but instead it was a pleasure as our driver decided to have them all rock, paper, scissors for our patronage. 

The kids not only were laughing but they were amused by our famous driver and were able to just be kids.  We finally sat down to a nice meal.  After we finished our food we joined the kids in games and they all were begging for their photos to be taken.  I took tons of photos and continued to show the results to the very excited children.  We got to talk with the kids without them selling anything and enjoy their company.  This was by far the most enriching experience in Cambodia thus far. 

After, as we headed for Angkor Wat for the sunset we made a quick pit stop at the orphanage.  Again we were greeted by smiling children who offered us water and chairs and a concert.  "In da joongle da mahty joongle" was lovely but took me a minute to realize they were singing in the jungle the mighty jungle.  They also attempted head and shoulders knees and toes and the ABC's among others.  They were very cute but often never on the same word or with the right beat and never pronounced correctly.  It was very cool to watch and we also got to observe their English class before we left.  The orphans here seemed well cared for as best they can and have not needed to beg which was refreshing.

The second day of temple seeing was more of a cultural day and I very much enjoyed it.  I think it had much to do with my fellow travelers who were laid back and wanting to play with the children and also to our tuk tuk driver who new just how to make everyone smile.

Temple pictures: http://picasaweb.google.com/linseypaddock/TheWats?authkey=Gv1sRgCJOMwe784cfdfQ&feat=directlink