In Bangkok, in between the infamous 'ping pong' shows and plenty of noodle soup, we took in some of the main sights - Grand Palace, Wat Pho with Thailand's largest reclining Buddha statue (46M long, 15M tall), Temple of the Emerald Buddha, the Thieves' Market in China Town (lane after lane of narrow streets selling all sorts of shite), a spot of bargainous shopping at Siam Square, as well as checking out Bangkok's famous backpacker hangout, Khao San Rd.
(Marty hanging out at Grand Palace, Bangkok)
Despite the warnings from many of our friends who had visited here, we actually enjoyed Bangkok! Full use was made of the cheap river boats that sailed up and down the Mae Nam Chao Phraya, allowing us to see what the city had to offer, and we managed to packed quite a bit into our days in Bangkok.
(Standing Buddha, Bangkok)
Keeping up the Thai city vibe, we left Bangkok for Pattaya's equally busy (read: sleazy) treats!! Susie had to practically keep Marty under lock and key for fear of him getting accosted by the many gorgeous wee Thai ladies, who at any time night or day can be heard shouting "Hey sexy man, where you go??!". Dennis' hotel provided some well-earned comfort and respite after 4 months on the road, and it was cool to spend time with Susie's cousins Declan and Rosaleen and their mum Somkid.
Our next stop was the island of Ko Samet, where on 3 August the most momentous and joyful of days came round - Marty's 30th birthday!!! There was much Thai whisky flowing that day, as the Birthday Boy spent the day lazing on the sandy beach with his ho's (Susie of course as well as her sis Kate's best friend Eimear 'King Kong' King fresh of the plane from Oz en route back home!!!), and most of the night shaking his aging hips to the 'hits' of Shakira, Brian Adams and Dr Dre as performed by a Phillipino band playing in one of the island's bars (they were actually really good, promise...!!).
(Marty's birthday, 03.08)
So after 6 weeks or so in Thailand, it was time to move on, and off we went into Cambodia. Although we certainly enjoyed the lazy days on the beaches of Thailand it was a good feeling to be back on the road and seeing more of the 'real' Asia. Passing through paddy fields and palm leaf houses, we made our way to the Thai-Cambodia border and after a LOT of negotiation we got the most packed taxi EVER (5 in the front of the car, 4 in the back!!!) for the 5 hour ride to Battambang.
Cambodia's roads are famously bumpy but they really have to be seen and felt to be believed. So after a whole lotta shakin', we arrived late at night into the second largest Khmer city. To learn more about Battambang's painful history under the Pol Pot regime we took a motorbike ride through the beautiful surrounding countryside. Our guide took us to one of the area's so-called Killing Caves - very eerie and sad to know what went on here such a short time ago.
We left Battambang (by boat, had enough of the roads already!) en route to Siem Reap where we are right now. Siem Reap is home to the temples of Angkor, the country's biggest tourist attraction and the world's largest religious building. There is such a European feel to Siem Reap, its hard to believe we're in Asia sometimes, as the streets have that old French look about them and you can dine on anything from Italian to Mexican and anything in between (there's even the obligatory Molly Malone's Irish pub!!).
From Siem Reap we plan to head south to the capital Phnom Penh some time next week, and from there we'll be going into Vietnam. Hope everyone's keeping well, lots o love from Susie & Marty! xoxox
