What IS the Difference.

On one hand we have an idol, revered by hundreds of millions, representing calmness and humility, an utter symbol of hope and peacefulness. On the other, we have a gold statue that's kind of weird looking.

Who is this Guy?

You've all wondered:
This is Harry. Although we have travelled long distances with him, we're still not sure just WHO he is. Or who he thinks he is.
(and what's with the umbrella?)

Statuesque

What happens when ancient artwork meets modern beauty?
If its anything its CUTE.

More Angkor Wat Area

Specifically Bayon, Ta Prohm, and Ta Preah. Oh, that crazy Jayarvaman VII- just a crazy King always building something.

Various Angkor Wat Area

These pictures are of the jungle devouring some of the ruins. It is so damn cool.

Can you find the orange shorts-wearing freak?

Mansion

The Royal Palace Mansion

A Silouhette Familiar

Erika enjoying a sunset from our hostel in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Not bad for a grungy city.

A Deep-Fried Cockroach in Hand.....

.....might be better than twelve live ones on your bathroom floor, but I might never know. Harry, Erika, and I never had the nerve to try these crunchy roadside treats. We did, however, eat some silk worm larva. All I have to say is, "Gooey".

The Royal Palace(Thailand)

The Royal Palace is this ridiculously lavish place. It is so finely detailed from the brilliantly colored tile of the columns and outside walls to the gold leaf and mother of pearl inlay of window shutters. It is a visual overload. I'm taking a break here by these giant guards. And yes, my legs are tan now.

Angkor Wat and Us

Here we are in front of Angkor Wat. In front of this pool is probably the most popular place to have a picture taken and we were there at the most popular time of day. That's right, sunset. We were able to elbow our way in from the unruly, camera-toting crowd and get Harry to snap this gem. (Notice the pointy shape of my head and compare with the Buddha image. Hmmmmm...... is there a connection?)

Angkor Wat

One of the key temples of the Siem Reap area. Built in the 12th Century, it was created as a funeral place in honor of the Hindu god Vishnu. It is the largest "monument" of the area and one of the best preserved of all the temples. It faces the west and is best photographed at sunset.

First Blog

November 20th: Sihanoukville, Cambodia
Just starting this damn blog business- orginally, just to leave a comment on a friend's blog, but now I'm thinking its just easier to share my travel info. I didn't leave my "friendly"email address so if you need this just leave a comment and I'll send it to you(good old spam mail paranoia).

So, been off ice since Oct.11. Spent three weeks in New Zealand, mostly around Christchurch but did spend a week with a rental car. Included a night at a hot springs resort, a sunset horseback ride, a sunrise swim with Dusky dolphins, and many interesting semi-legal camping spots. New Zealand is a beautiful place; how lucky we are to have it as a free stop-over.
Erika, harry, and I spent a week in Bangkok(arrived Nov. 1st) and saw some sights. Most were incredible, and some were horrifically incredible. Incredible are the temples, the palaces, the saffron-robed monks, the large void between rich and poor, the open markets, the FOOD, everyone trying to sell you anything. Horrifically incredible is mainly the driving(however Cambodia betters Bangkok by a few notches), the poverty, the sleaziness of dirty-old-white man tourists with young Thai women as well as the audacity of the Anglo tourist. Most will give money before giving a smile or eye contact. Of course, the Good outweighs the bad. At any rate.....

A lot since then. A flight to Siem Reap(Nov.8th), seeing Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, and a few other 800 to 1000 year old buildings/artifacts. Some have been restored, or partially restored, by the French, some overtaken by the jungle. All hold a pious air, untouched by many centuries, that still bring believers bowing on their knees to thank their makers, their ancestors, and I don't know what else. I can say that I understand but I do not. At least, not yet.
After the holiness, came Phnom Penh, the capital city. It is a city. We saw some sites(Toul Seng, the Killing Fields, a few museums) and the beginning of the Water Festival. All beautiful, even if sad, but the Water Festival was too many people and too much craziness. We left. And here we are at the beach.

Well, more later. I'm trying to keep these short in order to maintain some of you ADD people out there. I'll be adding pictures when I can but for now, just my words.
Hope you are all well and finding what you need.
Much love