Angkor

Last time we visited Angkor we did it on the budget, and this time we were determined to do it with a guide.

For $80us we got a great English speaking guide and a aircon mini van and it was great!  

And our guide was super happy to take family shots - would have been even better if you had a real camera not just your iPhone :) 

That is our Mini van in the distance.

Out guide was a wealth of knowledge and told us so much we didn't know last time! 

The walk way into the temple.  Happy statues one side and evil ones the other.

The Bayon temple faces. Love this temple!

Our guide was amazing at finding little spots with no people.  

The carvings were amazing. 

All of these new walk ways have been put in since we were there in 2004.

Our guide walked us around and told us all about the carvings.

Derryn enjoying the temples - again our guide found quiet places to enjoy the 'vibe'.

Caleb was a trooper and walked all day! 

Blake was more interested in being carried in Aunty Kim's sling.

I was grateful for the sling which meant I had two hands free to hold on to the rails when going up the steep stairs.

The faces at Bayon temple were amazing!

More of the walkways that have been put in. 

Blake wasn't interested in listening to the guide, he enjoyed jumping on the stones and running off!

Think he was yelling you can't catch me here! 

This was an amazing little walk which took us to a part you wouldn't have even known was there without a good guide.

Caleb was enjoying picking up the tiny pieces of the old tiles that lined the road.

This set of stairs was incredibly steep! 

Laying on the ground every where were old statues.

Blake was getting into the photos! 

Each of these holes had jewels in them at some time.

The piles of old building materials were every where!   Another nice family shot.

An old tree with a great hole in it for the kids to go in.  Our guide was suggesting a good photo was with their hands in praying position - 

Blake didn't get the idea so much - Caleb looks very tranquil

Our last stop for the day was the more famous Angkor Wat.  We parked at the back in a secret spot which gave us the same entry to it as the French man who found it hidden while trying to catch butterflies.  Not a soul around!

Blake fell asleep in the car after lunch - thank goodness for the sling!

We saw the old carvings.  Over 900 years old and still amazing.

Blake really enjoyed them ;) 

Derryn and I climbed up here last time - now closed off as a Japanese tourist fell down and broke their leg! 

Caleb and Derryn got a blessing from this man (our guide said he was legit lol) 

Caleb totally cracked up when he saw this sign - "look Dad - it says no sitting on the Dragon"

It was actually talking about these 

What a great day we had - do NOT do it with out getting a guide for at least one day.  Really not much money when you look at how much you pay to get there! It was amazing.

Oh and if you want to get inside to see the Bayon temple (the awesome one wih all the faces) go next year as our guide said it will be closed down in 2016 for a total reconstruction and he said it will be at least 10 YEARS until you can get in there again - he thinks more like 20 years!! Ouch!