Day 85: Siem Reap
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Yesterday, after we walked across the border from Thailand to Cambodia, we got on a bus to the ruins of Angkor Wat. The distance is around 110 miles. It took 7 hours. I guess it was sort of like driving from LA to San Diego.
Anyway. We fishtailed in mud, nearly ran over a motorbike and plowed through water that was knee deep. All that to bring you this video. :)
Day 89 - Kampot
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We couldn't resist putting up some photos from Angkor Wat...
A few more photos can be seen here.
Day 91 - Sihanoukville
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As we end our days in Cambodia on a beautiful beach on the South Coast, we're reminded again of Cambodia's harsh past, peaceful present and hopeful future.
While we we're sending people to the moon and traveling the country in VW buses, Cambodia was experiencing genocide that only can be rivaled by the holocaust. When the Khmer Rouge took power of Cambodia from 1975-1979, close to two million Cambodians died, nearly a third of the population. Everything intellectual was destroyed including the intellects themselves, any printed material, cars, motorbikes, and even money. Before the Khmer regime, the exchange rate was $1USD to $69Riel. After, $1USD equaled $2000Riel. In wiping out 1/3 of the population and in destroying the econonmy, Cambodia lost at least half a century of development.
It seems they're still trying to catch up. While evidence of severe poverty still remain here, there are signs of rebuilding. The country has capitalized on tourism and it's bringing in floods of money. Many nations around the world, including Australia and Japan, are partnering with Cambodia for it's rebuilding. Huge street signs have paintings that on one side show Cambodia's poor past and on the other, her future of growth and prosperity. But what strikes me most about present Cambodia is that for the first time in a hundred years, an entire generation has grown up without war. And hopefully in peace, this country will become what it's working towards.
Day 94 - Bangkok
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[After spending 10 days in Cambodia, we ventured back into Thailand in order to fly out of Bangkok.]
It's official. After 94 days and 350+ hours of traveling by bus, train, taxi, mini-bus, boat and van, we are getting on an airplane. We were hoping to cross by land into Burma and then pass into India, but on account of closed borders, tribal fighting and a semi-corrupt Burmese government, there is no possible way to continue our journey on the ground.
Of course, forcing us into the air has created endless possibilites for our next destination. We considered heading down to Indonesia or skipping straight to Africa or even the Mediterranean. It was like we were playing with continents, getting to drift to wherever our hearts desired.
We fly out from Bangkok today.
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Below you can see where we have traveled by land over the past three months.
This page is now finished, as we have officially left Cambodia. Head back to the home page (or click on the right) to check out our journals from destination number five: Nepal.