Theresa's Version - The Good, The Bad & The Ugly
Siem Reap, Cambodia
April 19, 2009
Bill is going to write his own version because we had 2 very different experiences today.
We were up at 6 am because our driver is going to meet us at 7 am. I am not feeling well, so it took me a long time to get ready. It is getting late when we got down to the buffet. I ordered an omelette with ham, mushroom, peppers and tomatoes, toasted some slices of whole wheat baguette and picked up a few pieces of fruit. I am worried that the thought of food is making me nauseous. I was only able to eat 1/2 of my omelette and a few bites of toast and fruit. Bill had a croissant, juice, fruit and french toast.
Bill informed our driver that we would be late and we went back to the room to lie down until 7:30. Our driver was very understanding, his name is Mr Som.
He took us more than 20 kms to Banteay Srei. Along the way I was not feeling better. I was a bit nauseous after we stopped to check the park passes. We were behind an old bus that was kicking out smelly fumes. I managed to convince myself that I was fine and we continued on.
Banteay Srei is a late 10th century temple. It was built by Jayavarman V. There are some beautiful lintels with detail scenes, many decorative pillars and some Garudas at the corners. It is pretty well preserved in some parts and there was a band of Cambodians injured by landmines playing some traditional music off to the side. There is even a moat still around the temple.
We stopped at one of the roadside stands and Som explained how palm sugar is harvested and made. One tree is male and one tree is female, only the male tree flowers. You have to climb the tree, carry a long narrow pail, and extract the "sap". It is then boiled in a large pot beside the road, then cooled and formed into small pellets. It is used in soups, coffee, tea and desserts. The fruit looks like small coconuts.
On the way back we stopped at the Landmine Museum. It was closed because the owner's wife had passed away. I used the toilet while we were there. It was not good, but I am hoping the worst is behind me.
The next temple was Banteay Samre. It was built in the early 12th century and is located closure to Siem Reap and not too far from Angkor Wat. It was at the end of a long path and there were cow grazing outside. You had to climb up and down steep stairs to get into each section of the temple.
I had to sit down in the shade once we were inside Banteay Samre at the West gopura. I was feeling nauseous again and the heat is really not helping the situation. It is in the mid 30's with humidex over 40.
Bill decided to keep exploring while I took a rest. I did not feel better and had to use the toilet again. Luckily there is one at the entrance to this temple because there is not normally.
I tried calling for Bill, but he was not nearby. I walked down the long path toward the road and made it to the toilet on time. Things are not improving. Bill found me and we decided to take an early break and start out earlier in the afternoon to give me time to rest and hopefully recover.
I laid down at 11:30 and sat up at noon for some food. Bill had brought up some toasted whole wheat, cheese and some fruit for me. I ate some of the toast and cheese and could not touch the fruit. I tried to drink some water and sports drink that he had found at the store next door to the hotel. Bill is feeling better than yesterday, so he had a burger and Angkor beer.
I spent the rest of the day in bed or on the toilet. I mostly laid awake and was too tired to follow a movie or read my book. I did fall asleep from 1 - 2 while Bill watched the F1 race. I was not feeling better and told Bill to go exploring without me. I did finally sleep well from 5 - 7. Again for the next few hours I laid in bed and did not have enough energy to do anything. I fell asleep around 9 and was able to sleep through the night after taking 4 Imodium.
It was such a waste of a day - only 2 temples, no pool, no reading, no internet,...