Page 32 - Nomads Magazine Issue 7

31Firstly, let me get across I would return to Cambodia in a heartbeat. I love travel- ling, spending time in the Far East and meeting with people from other cultures. Immersing myself in their way of life is something I enjoy. I generally experience the history of their country through photo tours and visiting temples. It is something I do without thinking because I love it, plain and simple.On this occasion, experiencing Cambodia’s history very nearly ended my travelling days quite abruptly. I was there for the best part of a week while on honeymoon with my wife. A few days before we left for the Far East, we found out that she was with child, so we decided it was best that she stay at the hotel because she wasn’t feeling too chipper with the morning sickness.My wife suggested I ll my boots with temple exploration as she was going to be out of action for the time being. After mak- ing sure she was going to be looked after during the day, I booked three daytime trips on the Angkor Wat trail with a local guide by the name of Po.The three days of exploring, climbing and walking through 1,000 year old temples, and the overgrown jungle that surrounded them was a travellers dream. I was alone with my camera for many hours at a time, exploring the numerous ruins and vast Khmer plains with my guide faithfully waiting a few miles down the road (with lunch for both of us) at the next tuktuk drop off. The families I met along the way over the three days were all so gracious. They offered a place to rest, a drink or lunch to a weary stranger making his way through the temple trails. All in all, it was a great trip with tons of photos taken the Angkor sites.By the end of the day 3, I was exhaust- ed. There I was staring at the deep red and orange sky from the top of Phnom Bakheng, surrounded by hundreds of other photogra- phers and sun worshipers. I was a little sad that my time there had come to an end as the wife and I planned on heading to Bangkok (and civilisation) the next day.After the sun started to make its way to- wards the horizon, the sky became overcast and I could see the glorious sunset that eve- ryone was waiting for wasn’t going to hap- pen, so I decided to leave early. I reluctantly shuf ed back to the tuktuk with little enthu- siasm. Po saw my demeanour and suggested we take one last trip before heading back to the hotel in Siem Reap.