Welcome from the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh, "The Charming City". 
Let's just say that the city is dominated by motos. We've quickly learned that the trick to crossing the street safely is to avoid cars, and then slowly but confidently walk across in a measured pace so the motos can weave around you.
Best known as the local hang-out of international war correspondents and photographers during the 1990s, it's now a popular restaurant and bar with views over the Mekong River. Again HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAX!
One cannot visit Phnom Penh without hearing about the Khmer Rouge and their "revolution" during the mid-70's that ended up in a national genocide. Within 4 short years, about a third of Cambodia's population (~2 million!) are estimated to have been tortured and killed by the security forces because of their non-conformity to the new regime.
The Tuol Sleng Museum is one reminder of that time. Formerly a high school, it was converted into a security prison (S-21) by the Khmer Rouge. The museum shows how the former class rooms were converted into torture chambers and prison cells.
The country still seems to come to terms with its past.
After dealing with this recent history it was time to enjoy Cambodia's more ancient sites.
We visited the Royal Palace. Beautiful gardens, impressive temples and plenty of splendor.
But Phnom Penh is not just all history and temples. People enjoy the occasional public workout session: free group zumba - Cambodia style - on the waterfront promenade. No surprise it caused a traffic jam with all the onlookers. ;)
Time to finally visit Cambodia's number one tourist attraction: The temples of Angkor Wat.
We flew from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap, our base from which to visit the temples close by.
The first day we completed the "big circuit" which passes by a number of smaller or lesser known temples. First up: Preah Khan.
A few of the smaller ones: Neak Poan.
Ta Som:
Looks like a miniature version of Angkor.
Still missing the elephants from Mondulkiri...
Up and up!
(Man that's steep! Quite the workout.)
Made it to the top!
Time to rest and enjoy the view. A full day of temples coming to an end...
The following morning it was time to get up at 4:30am to catch the sunrise over Angkor Wat.
So we congregated with a large number of other tourists at the lake in front of the main temple of Angkor. Unfortunately it's looking cloudy...
6am approaches and while it's getting light, the sun is still hidden behind the cloud front. No sunrise today. :(
The Angkor Wat temple is the largest religious building in the world. A huge continuous complex with multiple wings, several spires and a large inner courtyard around the main hall.
The main hall was closed off to visitors that morning, but the grounds were large enough to get a good idea of the vast scale.
View from the back:
Final view of the Angkor Wat temple during the day. Now off to breakfast before heading to the remaining temples in the "small circuit".
OK, after breakfast we explored the Angkor Thom temples.
The most famous temple within that complex is undoubtedly the Bayon temple. Covered with faces of gods, it makes you feel like hundreds of eyes are following you around. Easy to imagine how people in the old days were full of fear and respect of the temple area.
And of course the tour would not be complete without a final stop in Ta Prohm.
Most famous for its overgrown courtyard featured in the first Tomb Raider with Angelina Jolie.
After two long and exciting days in Siem Reap we had to say goodbye to Cambodia and head to the next destination: Vietnam.
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