Angkor Wat

Chinese New Year break allowed your intrepid travelers to jet off to Siem Reap, Cambodia, a fairly short jaunt northward about 1500 km/900 miles.  The trip was partly inspired by a planned rendez-vous with two old friends from Washington.

Our first glimpse of Angkor Wat was startling in that the silhouette is so familiar, from the Cambodian flag.  It was also from behind some of the many, many tour groups visiting the site, busy always but especially so for Chinese New Year.

We were surprised to learn that there are actually numerous ancient sites spread over a wide area.  In the immediate vicinity of Angkor Wat are several large sites. The best known after Angkor Wat is the tree-tangled Ta Prohm where Lara Croft/Angelina Jolie were famously filmed.  Farther afield we were able to visit the Rouluos temples, Banteay Srei, Bang Melea and the Koh Ker site, which itself covers 81 sq. km/31 sq. miles. Definitely a happening part of the world in the 10th-12th century.

At Angkor, here is detail of one of the many, meters-long carved stone reliefs:

Tom at Angkor

And another ancient treasure, above.

These figures (some new) line a bridge across a moat,  guarding an entry gate.

More, in Angkor (um, or possibly Bayon).

T and I traveled by tuktuk and did the "petit circuit" the first day before our friends arrived. 

A word about local tuktuks:  they are of a different design than we've seen in other countries. Rather than three-wheeled one piece two-stroke putt-putt motors, these are actually motorcycles with a two-wheeled trailer, easily removed. Smart design!  And a quieter ride too.

Tom alighting

These are at T Prohm:

In two or three of the larger sites we were serenaded by musicians, many of them landmine victims, hoping for donations.  Lovely music.

Exploring is hot work. Time for a Cambodian coke or perhaps a local beer?

Our traveling companions arrived and we began our joint explorations in the outer circuit, traveling by car for two days. Here is Debbie with some new friends.

And Tom with Peter

At Banteay Srei (I think):

window detail

watch out K!

Bathroom break.  It's important to know the rules:

Tom, having been inspired:

Debbie and Peter in good form

 

Templed out...  Figures lining the walkway are "churning the sea of milk" which is a common theme in these parts, from Hindu mythology, symbolizing a process leading to eternal life.

Back in town, we passed on visiting the Hard Rock Siem Reap.

and on buying a croc, or parts thereof.

Next day we were off again, this time to Bang Malea and Koh Ker, 125 km/75 miles from Siem Reap.  We stopped along the way for some yummy coconut rice cooked in bamboo. There were many vendors all in a row, selling the same thing.

At  Prasat Neang Khmau (pretty sure)

All the sites had signs like this one, saying the area had been cleared of mines. Apparently a large area remains inaccessible to tourists (and everyone else) in need of demining.

At Koh Ker, which looks very different than other sites--Mayan-esque!

Our driver and Tom, at the top

Back to Siem Reap and our last evening.  Dinner at a cafe staffed by former street kids. Best meal we had, and great service.

Tom's meal was voted most wonderful. He'd ordered the national dish, "amok," We had tried it several times but this was far and away the tastiest and best presented.

Evening tuktuk ride 

Bye Cambodia!

Merry USA Christmas

It was our first Christmas in the US in eight years. We traveled far to be there: Malaysia being halfway around the world from the US East Coast, at 10,000 miles and 12 time zones away. Turkish Airlines brought us from KL to Washington in two 11+ hour flights, stopping in Istanbul on the way. The layover was long and we couldn't resist going into the city for a few hours.  We had landed at 5 am, and got to watch the city waking up.

Arriving at Dulles airport, we find Cam there to greet us YAY.   Tom bravely stepped into a rental car, tired and jet lagged, driving in unfamiliar territory in the US for the first time in a year and a half, and on the wrong side of the road. He did great! Cam provided navigation which was very helpful.

In Washington, DC  Ben and Sarah welcomed us, and we were joined the next day by Aunt Margaret.

Cam had recently discovered cooking as stress relief from the rigors of med school and having preceded us by a couple of days arriving in DC, had already filled the fridge with cheesecake and has plans for many more delicious, high fat foods. YUM

The next day, the men set about making Christmas cookies

finished product

Things were getting downright festive

tree with too many presents

stockings hung by the virtual chimney

Sarah's first stocking!

Cam continued to prepare amazing dishes, enjoyed by all

There were waaaaay too many gifts. Here is Cam the chef in new kitchen wear:

Tom's love of coffee is well-known and he was not disappointed.

Tom with new deluxe Keurig

 Margaret with elephant dung notebook

Tom surprised to receive coffee

Ben with new tablet

Cam with new duds

Artist Sarah with canvas

Ben and Sarah reading fine print

Cam with drinking horn and styling socks

Boys with new ties

There were stylish face masks from Ho Chi Minh City for all, guaranteed to prevent germs

UAS, UAS!

purple leopard print

tasteful plaid

And we had many fun local visits:

Children's Hospital with the best resident pediatrician ever

Several buildings of the Smithsonian, here at Natural History

And the new MLK memorial on the tidal basin

And a little farther afield, old haunts of Silver Spring where K and M lived. 

9610 Lorain Avenue

Remains of an oak tree planted by Grandpa Stroad approx. 50 years ago

We watched a UCLA game at a bar full of alums; Ben led the cheers!

And Tim was in town and we met for dinner one night

And there was snow...

It was a very nice trip--wonderful to be with the fam.  Not as exotic as our other overseas Christmases but warm (NOT temperature),  EASY, comfortable, interesting.

Waaaay too much luggage