Family Tour Day in Siem Reap

Steph arranged a jam packed, private, full day tour to Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom city complex, Ta Prohm (think Tomb Raider) and the Cambodia Landmine Museum.  Steve's parents opted out because his Mom wasn't feeling well, so it was "just" the 15 of us.  Mr. Kim is the same tour guide who took Steph and Emmeline on their tour 5 years ago.  He was full of knowledge, energy, patience, and jokes (he was constantly cracking himself up and cackling with infectious laughter, which was more hilarious than his jokes).

We were picked up at 4:30 am for sunrise at Angkor Wat.  It was cloudy, so it was really just being there as the skies got brighter over Angkor Wat.  Still spectacular!

After sunrise, we went for breakfast at Chep Por Noodles Soup.  It was apparently one of the first restaurants in the area to open after the Khmer Rouge left, so it's been around for a while and it's a favorite for locals.

The temples are magnificent, and the intricate architecture and designs created almost a thousand years ago is jaw dropping.  But after a very hot and humid few hours of walking around Angkor Thom and Ta Prohm in pants and shoulder-covering tops, I can safely say that most of us (myself included) were templed out.  There were several questions from the kids about what time their favorite smoothie shop and the pool closes 😆

For lunch, we had lort cha (Cambodian pin noodles) and chive rice cakes at a local restaurant.  It was cheap, cheerful, fresh,  and delicious! 

We went to the Cambodia Landmine Museum after lunch.  Our guide works with a small team who assess areas suspected to have unexploded ordnances (UXO), and then safely detonate/diffuse and remove them.  To this day, it is not uncommon for people to be killed or maimed by them.  Education is so important so that villagers and children know to avoid and report the presence UXOs.  

In an area where a village was building a school, they found an alarming amount of UXOs (red dots in the map).  Recently, after an education session where they reassured the children that they wouldn't be in trouble for telling them about potential UXOs that they found, a child showed the guide a cluster bomb that he had hidden under his bed 😰

At the end of the busy day, i am happy to report that the kids did get smoothies and pool time.