Angkor Wat at Different Speeds

Between the two visits to the temples there were a host of other things on the "to do" lists, mainly involving flavors and eating, or water and pools, or shopping and markets. But on either end of those things were visits to the temples, and as luck would have it our afternoon naps took a bit longer than they probably should have and so what we hoped would be two temples dwindled to one. After a brief discussion we opted for Angkor Wat, the central edifice which holds, within its walls, the essence of Siem Reap and is the reason for which so many visitors visit every year. We hopped into our tuk tuks and went off in the late afternoon, arriving to the temple rather late. Still the place was crawling with tourists (funny how we never feel we are the problem, but those "tourssts" seem to always get in the way). 

Recognizing the size of the place we soon realized that we wouldn't be able to stick together and so groups naturally went this way and that. Irini decided to go with Trina, Joe and Sarah (and so her smile is largely missing here) while Amalia decided to hang out with her cousins and parents. Alejandro and Tia also moseyed their way to the temple on their own. Even within our smaller group it soon became apparent that Amalia would be marching to the beat of her own drum, and more specifically she would be spending much of her time outdoors, climbing on rocks, exploring the sandy paths and looking for (and finding) frogs in the pond. 

Regardless of the direction and the specific locations visited, we all regrouped at the entrance as the sun was setting over the trees to the west. It was a spectacular sunset and one we all took notice of.  With warm smiles facing westward we all made our way back to the waiting tuk tuks, through droves of people all doing the same. We waited until we were found by our drivers and headed off to dinner. Cambodian food at the Green Star, a not-for-profit restaurant run by some volunteers of an organization called The Greek Gecko Project, which Joe, Amalia Laurence had visited earlier that morning.  The food was excellent. The cause was good. The friends were great.