Tired of Temples Thursday

If Tuesday was Super, by Thursday the temples were becoming same old. Today we were on a motor bike (I didn't ask Li what happened to the tuk-tuk) and its even more hairraising (literally as no helmets). As with the previous day the ruins were great, but paled into comparison with the first days.

I had already decided today would only be a half-day, with Li, so he only got $10. Still he got $55 from me for 3 days work, which is fairly good money. Although I talked to 2 dutch girls who had hired bikes for a fiver for 3 days and I think if I was going again I'd maybe try that. Except for the main road in and out of the hotel (which is chaos), its all fairly safe.

From talking to Li he claims the money is going on his education. He said he was learning Korean, so he can become an official tour guide. They earn 30-50 a day. Apparently there is a shortage of Korean guides so thats what he is going for. Fair play to him. Interestingly enough the one thing I noticed was the tours were being done in a lot more languages than just English, which is all you can get in Bangkok. I'm not sure if its all the UN influence on Cambodia, but they seem to be more aware of languages.

Interestingly enough I had noticed that for lunch on both of the previous days Li brought me to specific places within the park. His commission for this, a free soft drink and a hammock to lie in while I was looking at ruins. Not really much of a commission.

As I still had half a day left I decided just to have a wander about the town of Siem Reap itself. (I did think about going back to Angkor Wat but I'd had 2 1/2 days at that stage). There isn't much to see, although a few parts are quite nice. You can tell some of the international hotel chains have paid a few dollars for some of the parks.

Had dinner in a Mexican restaurant of all places. There were actually a few of them, so I thought why not. The enchilladas were pretty good as well. Followed it up with a very nice ice cream cone from another bar. There are a few good things to be said for the French colonisation of Cambodia, the Ice Cream and the French Fries are very good, and the bread, and in particular the baguettes, are excellent.

Today was also the Chinese New Year (which for some reason I incorrectly thought was on Monday). It is the year of the Rat, and I am a Rat (star sign) so apparently this is a lucky year for me. It did explain why there were so many more kids about today, it was a day off school.

As it was moving day again tomorrow I didn't stay in Bar St as late. Amazingly I had the same tuk-tuk drive who charged me loads last night, and he wanted to do it again, but it wasn't as late (and I wasn't as drunk) so I negotiated him down.