Cambodiahhh

Such a gap in posts wasn’t intended, dear readers! We have been very busy every day and WiFi for writing is limited to our hotels on this iPhone (which has no SIM card). We’ve been in Cambodia for a full week, based in Siem Reap in close proximity to the ancient temples of Angkor.

Arrival

We took an early flight of a little more than an hour to Siem Reap from Phuket and found the air very hot, even at 9 am. The airport is very modern, spacious, and beautifully finished, with polished floors and long wooden counters for immigration business. At the far end of the arrivals hall is a full- sized replica of one of the giant heads from Bayon made of red lacquered wood. We would have photographed it, but there are signs prominently posted warning that you’re not allowed to take pictures. Although we knew that Cambodia is a communist country, it only became evident when we got in line to have our passports checked. First you step up to the counter, surrender your passport, submit a photo of yourself, pay $30 in U. S. currency, no matter where you’re from and then you are scrutinized by a very serious officer. You are then directed to the waiting area further down the counter, where each passport is handed down the line through four or five officials, each one adding a stamp, a visa sticker, and another stamp. Welcome to Cambodia!This is a picture of one of the real stone heads at Bayon.

This is a picture of one of the real stone heads at Bayon.