Chapter 20

It was the light knocking on my door that had me coming awake and the sound of someone calling out the name, Lilian. I sat up slowly trying to work what was going on and heard the knocking again. Slowly I waked over to the door and with the key chain in place opened it enough to look out. Daniel was stood there with a big grin on his face. I groaned inwardly, wondering why the hell he was here, as I tried to make sure he didn't see the state I would be in. Especially my hair which I was sure was flying in all directions.

"We're meeting in 40, downstairs, to go out for dinner. Don't want you sleeping too long now, or you won't appreciate the tour tomorrow"

I only had the energy to nod my head at him before closing the door and leaning my back against it. It was then that I actually took a look around the room I was staying in. When I'd eventually been given my key for the room, I'd stumbled in, used the bathroom and fallen onto the bed without taking any notice of where I was.

It wasn't overly big but was well set out with a really big bed that had a white cover and lots of white and black pillows set against the headboard. At the far side was a bay window that had built in upholstered seats and a table. Black bedside cabinets matched the set of drawers at the foot of the bed with a grey striped rug over the black tiled floor.

I needed a shower, and it took a minute to realize that the white material shaped swan laying on the bed were actually the towels. There didn't seem to be a closet at all but there was a low table where I put my rucksack on. Opening it fully I found a short white T-shirt and one of the skirts that the girl at the shop had recommended. She'd said I would want the occasional item for going out in in the nicer places and towns. It was a deep purple and made from a crinkly cotton so could be rolled and easily packed.

I put the clothes onto the bed and with a towel and wash bag went through to the bathroom. I loved it. There were two round white sinks sat on top of a black counter with mirrors behind and a white modern toilet. To one side was a walk in shower with fixed glass screens and a tub that looked to be made from a red stone. I was almost tempted to soak in the tub but knew I didn't have enough time for that.

Once showered and dressed I put my hair up on top of my head and as it was going to be hot and muggy decided against makeup. Walking out of the room I actually felt myself looking forward to being out.

I walked down a wide staircase totally impressed with the place. The color theme was obviously black and white with the odd smattering of orange giving the place a sophisticated feel to it. The floor was marble and as I walked toward where I thought the lobby was, I passed lots of carvings and paintings. There seemed to lot of small areas where the occasional guest was sat reading with a drink. I spotted my group and quietly joined them, noting that I wasn't the last to arrive.

The last to arrive could be heard giggling before they reached us, the two girls of course. It took a lot of self control not to roll my eyes at what they were wearing. Both were wearing tight, short sleeveless dresses and FMPs with four inch heels. The amount of cleavage they were showing would have put me to shame even if I were dressed for a distraction for Rangeman. Even their makeup did nothing to enhance their features and I was sure that by the end of the evening they'd be regretting their choices. Even with fans above us I felt the heat and humidity around me and was pleased with the clothes that I'd chosen.

Daniel must have done his head count because he soon stood up and started to walk through a large open space, past an enormous pond full of plants and fish and out of the grounds to the street. We hadn't walked very far when the mood of where we were started to change. From being on a quiet street I noticed that there were lots of people walking the streets and more motor bikes than I'd ever seen in one place. There were restaurants with seating out onto the street and vendors selling trinkets and souvenirs from wooden tables. The smells were amazing making me wonder what type of food would be popular here.

Daniel led us into a place called Khmer Kitchen Restaurant, waiting for a waiter to lead us to our table. Once seated I was given a menu and started to look through it, listening to Daniel as he gave us an explanation of what to expect.

"Kymer is traditionally Cambodian, everything they serve is fresh and does tend to include vegetables. The dishes do vary but a lot consist of fish and like Thailand you'll come across noodles and rice"

I decided on the Khmer curry having been assured that it was milder and less spicy than I would normally have come across back home. I was surprised that the ingredients were included next to the dish and was looking forward to trying something different.

I wasn't disappointed when my bowl arrived along with a warm fresh baguette. Of course, Tammy and Ashley were loud as they talked but I could tell they were starting to feel out of their comfort zone and wasn't surprised when they ordered a beef dish with salad, probably as close to what they knew as they were going to get.

Once everyone had finished, we were all looking to Daniel for our next move.

"Okay folks, I'm heading back to the hotel. If you want to stay and have a look around Siem Reap, then do that. Just remember that we leave at 5.30 in the morning, breakfast is available from 5 and you'll be provided with lunch and water"

I waited as people started to move, the older couple and the two younger men were obviously staying with Daniel. I waited for the others to leave the restaurant before I stood up and started for the door.

I suppose I should have been more worried walking through the streets on my own, but I wasn't. There were so many people out on the streets and so much to look at. If I hadn't been so full from the meal at the restaurant I would have loved to have tried some of the food being made on the street and being sold. I knew I was heading in the direction of the hotel and the further I walked the quieter the streets became. It was then that the feeling of being watched came over me, so I darted down a street and back toward where there seemed to be more people about. As I stepped behind a cart selling food, I looked back the way I'd come. I honestly couldn't see anyone following me, there was no one stood looking for me or hidden in the shadows. I turned and continued to the next junction and then backtracked the way I'd come, I didn't want to get lost or stray too far from the hotel.

30 minutes later I was in my room at the hotel, the coolness of the air in the room being very welcome. I felt hot and sticky and a little bit on edge. I ensured the door was locked before heading into the bathroom for another shower and once cooled down I dressed in my sleepwear of shorts and a strappy top.

I felt stupid for how I'd reacted earlier. No one could know who I was or why I was here so why had I panicked so badly? Maybe being in a strange place with so many people around was what had spooked me. I pushed it from my mind as being silly and sorted out the things I would need for the next morning. I'd be taking the small rucksack with me, along with my camera, id and money in a new wallet. I'd already hidden both of the hard drives and extra papers and felt sure that they would be safe in their hiding places.

As I slipped into bed, I plugged my phone on charge and set the alarm just before turning out the light by the bed. I was actually feeling bone tired so maybe that had been what I was feeling in the town. Whatever it was I fell asleep straight away with no interruptions until the alarm went off at some unearthly time in the morning.

As we alighted from the small minibus in a large parking lot, I was surprised at just how busy it was. I joined my group as they followed Daniel and we were soon walking into the area known as Angkor Wat. Today Daniel was going to be our guide, showing us the best places to go, the sights to be seen all the while explaining the history of what we were seeing. There was still a thick layer of fog, but it seemed we'd arrived just as the sun was keen to peak out its knowing head. I was entranced by the famed spiraled towers of Angkor Wat, and I stood there, completely in awe, with nothing to do but soak in the atmosphere and the temple's majesty.

There were crowds of people stood just like me, facing the temple across the calm still water, camera in hand just waiting for the moment to start taking photographs. I was totally mesmerized with what stood before me, the spiraled towers reflecting in the water as the sun slowly rose from behind it. After the sun had risen and I felt I'd taken loads of photographs, I felt someone touching my elbow and turned to see the young couple stood next to me. I turned and saw that the rest of the group were slowly walking away toward the temple.

We followed the long sandstone causeway and then veered off to one side toward an entrance. We were taken to a series of terraces with a gallery around it, that contained ornate carvings and bas reliefs. A continuation upwards led us to more terraces and eventually we found the shrine to Buddha, at the center of the main tower. Everyone was quiet as Daniel spoke in a hushed tone, relating the history of this temple and from glimpses around me it was obvious that there were monks who spent their time here.

As we returned back down, we came out at a different place for Daniel to stop us and hand each of us a map.

"In case for some reason we were to get separated. We're going to be following a preset circuit that will allow us to see some of the amazing structures found here at the site"

I followed at the back of the group enthralled with the history that Daniel was telling us about and taking lots of shots on my camera. I'd never expected to be somewhere like this and could only thank Ranger for the opportunity, in more ways than one. I was immune to the people around us as I looked at the stonework and imagined how it would have been all those years ago. The fact that the whole site was even bigger and had been the center of a thriving civilization humbled me.

At 1pm we found a shaded spot to eat the lunch that the hotel had provided. I was hungry enough to eat what was provided even though I wasn't too sure what was between the slices of bread. The remains of the water and an apple went into my rucksack for later. We'd already seen Phnorm Bakheng, South Gate, Angkor Thom, Terrace of Elephants, Chou Say Trevoda and had three places to still visit Thommanon, Banteeay Kdei and Ta Prohm, before we had to leave.

I had to say that the last site that we came to, was my favorite. There was something so surreal at the way in which nature had encroached onto the buildings. Over time, silk cotton trees and huge vines had woven their way through the various ancient cracks and now threatened to reclaim the temple altogether. I listened intently to what Daniel told us

"Rajavihara or monastery of the king, is today known as Ta Prohm. It was one of the first temples found, dating it at 1186 A.D. Jayavarman VII constructed Rajavihara in honor of his family. The temple's main image, representing Prajnaparamita, the personification of wisdom, was modelled on the king's mother"

As Daniel finished his speech, he came to each of us one at a time.

"I'm leaving you here and heading back to the minibus. Take your time to look around or maybe visit some of the stalls where we came in. The bus leaves at 5pm prompt. If you're not there we leave"

"How would I get back to the hotel?"

"At the entrance you'll find lots of tuk-tuks. Haggle a price before you get in and don't pay until you reach the hotel"

I wasn't too sure about doing that, but I appreciated the time to wander around here. In my mind I was also seeing Lara Croft in the film Tomb Raider as I looked at the tree growing through the stones. I spent time looking around, pleased when the number of people around me seemed to thin out. I found a large flat stone underneath what could have been window and laid on my back taking in the peace and serenity that seemed to surround me.

I was suddenly opening my eyes and looking into the face of an elderly man who was smiling down at me. As I looked further, I realized that his head was shaved and that he was dressed similar to one of the monks I'd seen earlier. I sat up, looking around and realized that the daylight was just about gone. Shit, I must have fallen asleep.

"I'm sorry, I must have fallen asleep"

"No problem. I was a little worried when you didn't stir as I approached"

"I need to go"

"Yes. Area closed now. Come I walk with you"

I felt so embarrassed as I stood up and pushed my camera into my bag, how on earth had I let that happen? As the monk started to walk away, I caught up with him, but not before a glance back to the temple where I'd taken refuge.

"You like it there?"

"Yes. I found it peaceful and relaxing"

"It is, that's why we come here"

I had actually thought that the monks lived here, there seemed to be so many of them especially at the first temple that we went into.

"We come on pilgrimage to visit the shrine. I live near the capital, Phnom Penh"

"It's a beautiful place to come"

"It is. Are you American?"

"Yes"

"Are you staying in Siem Reap?"

"Yes. Apparently, I need to get a tuk-tuk to get back into town"

"Then let's make that happen and that he doesn't take too much money from you"

I smiled as he said that accepting that he knew what he was talking about and feeling comfortable with his company as we walked.

It didn't take us long to reach the entrance and for me to realize that the parking area was devoid of any buses and there were only a few tuk-tuks sat around. Taking a tuk-tuk would be an experience in itself and I had to admit I was a bit wary. They were basically a motor bike that had a small carriage attached to the back of the seat. The carriage had a cover where the passenger sat on a bench facing forward. I watched as the monk approached one of the drivers and spoke to him, they both looked over to me before the monk signaled for me to approach.

"He will take you, just tell him the name of your hotel. His charge will be $2"

"Thank you for helping me out"

"A pleasure"

The driver helped me to climb into the carriage and once he was sat astride the bike, he turned to look at me.

"Shinta Mani"

As I said that he nodded his head and started the engine pulling away slowly. I enjoyed the feeling of the air rushing past me and found it so much easier to see things around me. Though as we approached the busier streets of Siem Reap I had to say my heart was in my mouth. There were so many lanes of bikes and tuk-tuks all weaving and winding past each other and at one crossroad there didn't seem to be any rule as to who had the right of way. The way the drivers navigated ahead and behind other motorists was poetry in motion. Never once did I hear the sound of horns blaring or see drivers getting annoyed.

I was delivered to the front of the hotel safely and as the engine was switched off the man turned off the engine and came to the side of the tuk-tuk to help me down. As I gave him $2 he offered a card to me.

"If you want to visit other places, maybe the lake or go back to Angkor Wat"

A look at the name, fortunately I could read the writing, showed me that his name was Arun and there was a number underneath. I knew that tomorrow was a free day for us. We could if we wanted to return to Angkor Wat to see more of the temples or decide to stay in Siem Reap. Arun could see that I was hesitating over what to do and as he stood closer to me, I listened to what he was suggesting.

"I could take you to the lake"

"What's there?"

"Tonle Sap Lake. Surrounded by lush rice fields, lotus flowers, and flooded forests, you take boat for a visit to traditional Cambodian floating villages"

I thought through what he'd suggested, weighing up my options. I wasn't too sure that I wanted to go back to see the ruins. Much as it was beautiful it was so full of people. I could just hang around the hotel and walk around the town, but that seemed a boring option.

"Okay. What time and how much?"

"10 o'clock, charge $50, for all day. You bring food"

I looked at Arun again and saw that he was grinning at me. He looked quite young to be working this job and he was cute with his long dark hair and skin. I had absolutely no idea if he was ripping me off or even if I should be trusting him but the idea of being on my own while exploring the lake appealed to me.

"Okay"