Berry's SEAJ trip Day 27: Sunrise and temple exploration (7/2/15)

Woke up at 4 to get to Angkor Wat for the sunrise. Had a friend recommend a tuktuk driver named Sam, whom we used and was great. At Angkor, we set up on the SW side to get away from many of the crowds  and for what seemed to be better views. We had a guide ask us if we wanted his services, and for 15$ we agree to get a historical perspective on the temple which was worth it. We walked around then found Sam so we can grab an early lunch before going to the Ta Prom temple (the one from tomb raider movie) which was cool to see how the trees have grown within the walls of the temple.

Getting lost in the darkness. 

Berry is able to start making out some shapes and notice his surroundings.

Panorama from the outside. Still got a ways to walk but still pretty way out here.

The temple is starting to take shape as the sun comes up and we get closer. 

Berry wanted to go explore this nearby building in the dark to see what it is like. Was kinda cool being in a temple ruin as it was still dark. 

Berry is getting excited about the sun starting to come up. 

We wanted to get a picture while the sun was still down a bit but the temple is starting to show itself.

That is Angkor Wat in all its glory. And Berry in all of his.

Beautiful! 

The required reflection shot (however with the water level being low, it made it a little more challenging).

Panorama of the temple. We clearly were not the only one here this early.

Sun is starting to breach the temple.

People started to go in. I wanted to sit here and enjoy this a little bit longer.

Berry had the same idea.

One of us taking a picture of another of us. This was one of those side temple spaces.

Not a bad view from the window. 

Berry pointed out that we came from all the way over there. Extremely large complex. It did use to be a huge ancient civilization so makes sense.

More intricate stone work. Love it!

Zoom in on the top parts.Scary lil critters. 

Wall of story telling (or whatever they call it). This is a giant mural carved into the wall telling stories important to this group's history. 

Our group (with guide) looking at the different stories as he talks about them. 

Berry took some time to look back out over the grounds.

But then he focused back on the wall. Here is a close up of the art on the wall. 

We start ascending and this is one of the doorways. Simple was not in these people's vocabulary. 

Water basin or Sacrificial pit - you decide.

Monk popping a squat. 

Even their support beams in the interior get carved artistically.

Berry called dibs on the garage apartment. Had to break it to him there was no garage.

These people seemed to enjoy their busty ladies. 

Backside of the Wat.

They had to gate off many of these staircases to keep people off. The world is their jungle gym.

Zoom in and just appreciate the fine stone work done. I have never tried so much as chiseling a ramp out of stone and these guys are doing this. Respect!

Cool little bird paying us a visit. 

After waiting our turn to go up to the top, we get up and look at the views around. 

Berry looking back out where we came from. What is that yellow thing?

Ahhh a hot air balloon. cool. 

The pathway in from parking lot to outer temples to the main one. 

That car ruins the old timey feel of this picture. temple and carriages, then a car. Good job camry!

On our walk to the next temple, Berry stops to do some tree swinging.

I decided he was having too much fun so I had to join. 

Ive never seen the movie but does this look familiar to anyone? Berry you cannot climb that tree.

The more notable side of the building. Berry is a big Croft fan.

Renovations/upkeep has to happen on new and old buildings alike. 

Ok Berry I will take a picture with you in front of your building.

Ruins of the temple that used to stand here. I blame Lara for blowing it up. Shame!

Berry and I agree, these trees that use the temple to grow are impressive. Not sure how they started but they are unstoppable!

One of the temple entrances.

Berry getting a glimpse of the outside of the temple.

Berry and his giant trees. Started to feel like he was turning into the Lorax.

This was a pretty intense looking tree. That root system had Berry amazed.

Berry's gang (we actually started a facebook group called the Berry's and still keep in touch - thank you Berry).

Stopped at and climbed another temple as we were driving around. 

One of the motor entrances/bridges in the temple complex.

You think that face is creepy, wait for the next temple.

We then go to Bayon temple (temple of faces) which has many face carvings all over the temple. Ate another lunch a little in the afternoon before hitting some of the outer circuit temples; the floating temple was disappointing as there was a drought and no water was there, and the other temples were much of the same.

Berry and the gang excited to see the next temple.

This is the Bayon temple (believe it is referred to as the 1000 face temple). As you can see all the towers have faces carved into them.

Berry and the statue matching. This was the first level of the temple. 

Pillars had awesome stone work (like we have seen in the previous temples). Glad they havent eroded.

One of the bigger stone carvings at the temple.

Berry taking a seat as we continue to explore the many faces.

Berry posing with the a close up of the face.

The entrance ways had these serpent stone rails guiding people in. 

Berry walking the platform to the last temple of the day,  Neak Pean. 

Usually this has a water moat all around it but with the recent drought the country was facing, clearly water is scarce.

We then head back and decide to swim in the pool at Robert's hostel which was nice and cold but has tons of mosquitoes flying over head when in the pool, not near the pool just when in the pool. Have a couple drinks ($0.50 beers or 2 for 1 cocktails as it is happy hour) before we go back to the hostel to change before going to grab some food at a place near the old market that has menus the size of a dictionary without any foreseeable organization or thought to it. They too have 0.50$ beers so we play never have I ever while enjoying some cheap drinks. Us guys then go to get a massage which is weird for me as you put on scrubs to be massaged in. We all fell asleep in our massages after the long day. We then make our way back to the hostel to get some rest for the epic day tomorrow.

Berry's SEAJ trip Day 26: On to the next country – Cambodia (7/1/15)

After breakfast, I headed to the airport via the tuktuks affiliated with the hostel. The hostel had quoted 50 but the tuktuk said 60, which was annoying but since I was planning on giving the guy the rest of my kip (I probably had 90-100 left), I just said yes and got to the airport. I got there 2-2.5h early and that was way too early.

Berry enjoying the Cambodian TukTuk that got us at the airport.

The international airport in Siem Reap. Was small but very nice looking and looked after. 

All the airports over there were quick to get through even when checking bags; I think the longest I took to get from arriving to gate was 10 minutes. I get to the airport and have to go to the domestic terminal since my flight first lands in another Laotian city so I do not get the AC of the international terminal. I get into Siem Reap and my hostel (Hostel international – Siem Reap) has free airport pick up. So they get me and I check in. After that, I walk around to grab a late lunch near pub street where I have the local dish, Amok – slight curried meat with sticky rice, which was served in banana leaf bowls.

Near pub street I went and tried some local food (Amok) with Berry. Also had a local beer (back to the lagers). This street had restaurants all along it running specials trying to get people in the door.

I then grab another smoothie on my way back to the hostel. Get there to get my USD as this city has everything in $ and the Cambodian Riel is only used when less than a dollar is needed. It is then that I noticed that at some point in the last month someone had raided my bag and taken 2 of my 4 cash reserves, putting me out ~300$. This is when I learned that I no longer need to use a money belt or have the backup wallet when traveling as I have never had to really rely on them. Met Dylan in the room and we head out to meet his friend Robert at his hostel. When we get there, Robert is chatting with Jamie and the four of us head out to grab dinner and make plans for our trip. After that, we meet Michele back at the hostel who wanted to join as well so we add her to the group and get some sleep as we are waking up early to catch the sunrise.

Creepy neon sight, lets follow it eh Berry?

Dinner with some new friends from the hostel and other hostels. Found me a stout. Winning!

Main bridge getting from our hostel area to the main part of town. Berry was ready for the rave.

Looking down the river and see they like their lights. Berry liked them too.

Berry wanted to hang out but it was late so I told him we would be back here on another night.

Berry's SEAJ trip Day 25: Wandering around Vientiane (6/30/15)

After breakfast, I head out to explore the city. There are many temples I walk by until I stumble upon the US embassy. I asked them if I could take a picture of the seal on the wall and they say no; I don't mess around when the guys have guns so I just sit there and chat with one of the construction guys before continuing my walkabout.

More of the 7 serpents. They are incredibly pretty but also scary.

Bell tower temple.

Berry peaking in on this temple. 

I feel like this would freak out someone who is afraid of clowns. Berry liked him.

Random wondering and we stumble on this round about with an awesome statue (That Dam) in the middle. This was right near the US embassy.

The Presidential building at the end of one of the nicer streets I found in the whole trip. It felt very well upkept and posh (like walking down Rodeo Dr. or something like that).

Berry wanted to go into another temple. So we went into this one which is right next to the Presidential building (it also happens to be one of the biggest complexes in the city). 

Part of the Sisaket temple grounds.

Berry taking all the gold and Buddha statues in. 

These temples were apart of the Sisaket grounds. Berry wanted to go up there and bang that drum. Couldnt let him.

The city has a cool river walk with the statues above and some vendors and what not. Made for a cool walk.

Someone put the serpents into a fountain. I wish that this was in operation.

This was a common occurrence in the parks over here. They had workout equipment of all sorts. Berry wanted to get jacked. 

Then is was time to relax so we go down the slide. Gotta break up the work with a little fun.

I walk by the national palace and check out some temples before stumbling upon a Belgian beer bar. I decide that would be a good place to get some lunch and decide to try the national Lao dish, Laap, with my beer. I walk back to the hostel and decide to go swimming in the pool for a little bit in order to cool off. After that, I went to the night market which is very big and not too far from the hostel before grabbing some dinner and heading to bed. The city is nice but I could have easily spent the time here in LP or VV and considered it a better use of time.

Time for lunch and there happens to be a Belgian beer bar right here. It is almost as if Berry planned it this way.

Berry was glad to get off his paws and I was glad to break the lager monotony with some malty goodness.

Berry's SEAJ trip Day 24: Chilling in Vientiane (6/29/15)

~9am I caught a bus to the Laotian capital, Vientiane. This bus ride was a lot less rough than the one to VV as it was shorter and more straight. I got to the hostel (Dream home hostel) and checked in. Once I get up to my room, I sit and chat with one of my roommates for a bit before going to grab lunch at a place across the street more or less. Good cheap food. I get back to the hostel and played pool with some hostel mates while hanging out until its time for dinner where I head down the street to this good pizza place. After that I chilled at the pool table some more with a roommate and then got some sleep. Pretty uneventful day but was nice and relaxing.

Berry's SEAJ trip Day 23: To tube or not to tube, that is the question (6/28/15)

Go and grab breakfast at a different nearby cafe while trying to decide if I should do the tubing pub crawl or rent a scooter and go explore the surrounding area. Decide to do the exploring instead of tubing pub crawl (probably the wrong decision in hindsight but whatever). First was the Jang cave, which was not too far from town and wasn't worth the drive. It was a small cave with cool air temps which is always appreciated over there but wasn't worth the visit.

Berry recognized this view from the night before. Much better during the day. 

River in front of the jang cave. 

Berry is looking down the path to the cave. Beautiful water along the way..

Berry is ready to climb those stairs for the jang cave.

But first we must pay the entrance fee. Its an interesting plan to charge foreigners more.

View from the top. Stairs galore for a good view. Life story.

View out from the top back towards the city.

Berry checking out another view from the cave.

Panorama shot from the cave outlook.

Berry is getting a hang of this spelunking business. 

This cave had this walkway to follow though some places it was unclear whether you could walk there or not. 

The bottom of the cave had this park area where people could hang out and swim. Berry wants to get in but I have him hold off as he doesnt know what the day has in store.

Look at how clear/blue that water is. Made me think Berry had a good idea.

Berry enjoying the view of the bridge and the surrounding area. 

This bridge is for lovers. 

One last look at a nice bridge. To get to the blue lagoon I am going to have to cross a bridge that shouldnt even be allowed to have people on it but scooters go both ways on it.

Amazingness surrounds this town.

I then make the slow and bumpy ride out to the blue lagoon. It isn't far (~15km if I remember right) but I wouldn't say its worth the drive either. The water is chilly which is a great respite from the heat, and there is a tree you can jump off into the water below, but it wasn't too blue (granted maybe my colorblind eyes aren't the best judge of color but I don't think that was it) and it was crowded. But I was here so I swam around in my underwear and enjoyed the water as I chatted with some dutch people.

View while on my way to the blue lagoon. This was after crossing death bridge but while going down this rock road that felt at any moment I would get a flat tire. Had to go slow, was hot. Not an ideal trip.

We made it! That tree in the distance was the diving tree (as you can see people on various levels of limbs). 

I stripped down to my underwear and jumped in as I was hot and the water looked refreshing. It was cold which made it that much better. One of my best model shots - now I just need an agent.

After some time, I head back to town and return the bike after traversing this bridge that is scary to be on with a bike but it held. I then went to the Aussie bar down the street from my hostel to grab some food and a drink while enjoying the view of the mountains/cliffs all around the city; very pretty city to be in and wish I had more time to chill here and spend in LP as I didn't get to see the waterfalls there or some of the sights around there as I was pressed for time.

Berry appreciating the view as the sun starts to go down. Yes lil bear, I will sit with you and enjoy this.

More nature enjoyment. Good job Berry!

That is one of the foot bridges in the distance. I should have gotten a picture of the bridge I had to ride across earlier. It was Ridic!

Panorama shot to end the day.

After my meal and chatting with the owner while watching and learning about different forms of rugby, I head back to the hostel to make some plans for the rest of my trip. After that, I head to the warm up bar to have a few drinks with some hostel mates and play a game of killer pool before heading to Sakura bar (one of the famous ones everyone goes to in VV) to meet up with Daniel whom I kept running into in Laos. Get there and its one rowdy party with people dancing on tables, balloons presumably filled with marijuana smoke being passed around for people to inhale, and multiple bars from which to get drinks from. I grab a drink, and look for Daniel, while looking for him I run into some friends from the hostel and chat with them for a while and then eventually find Daniel. Hang out with him and his friends and bounce between the 2 groups. At one point, Gangam style came on and the place went nuts! People doing the dance all around and just going more crazy than they already were. After a few beers, I head back to the hostel for bed.