Aylings Amblings

We're back at Bangkok airport, our 4th visit in 10 days, this time we are set to board our flight to Sydney and then Wellington. The last couple of days in Cambodia were awesome: we spent more time at Angkor Wat- including a ride on an elephant for the kids, a drive in the tuk tuk with Simon, our driver for the days we were there, into the Cambodian countryside, visiting a temple on the outskirts of the Angkor group, and going to a butterfly farm. We finished our time in Cambodia with a ride in another tropical downpour in the tuk tuk, our suitcases stacked on our knees! We've had a fantastic six weeks- we've caught up with lots of family and friends, been to amazing landmarks, museums, galleries and some fun places, and also had some time to chill out together- thanks for reading about our adventures😀. We'll post a couple of photos when we get home!

We're staying in a friendly, if a little tired and grimy, guest house called Le Tigre about a five minute walk from the centre of Siem Reap in Cambodia. We've all enjoyed the change of pace from the busyness of Bangkok. We'd hoped that this would be the place where we got to do a bit more relaxing- and that's how it's worked out. We've started out early the last two mornings to visit the incredible Angkor Wat archeological park, including a 5:00 am start this morning to see the sunrise- it was raining alas, but it was still awesome to see the detail forming on Angkor Wat as the light grew stronger. The park is huge- we've had a tuk tuk driver the last two days, Simon, who has stayed with us for the mornings and driven us between the temples. The temples are in various states of ruin, but have ruined beautifully! They must have been breathtaking when the civilisations based there were at their peak. The kids have done well, especially in the temple that had m...

We arrived at our hotel in Bangkok at close to midnight- it was Karis' birthday the next day - the plan was to get up have a birthday breakfast and then go out and explore Bangkok, problem was none of us woke up until 1:00 in the afternoon! So we had a Birthday lunch, swam in the pool and then in the evening went out and explored Khao San Road markets, - we decided to take the local bus which ended up being lots of fun with locals both helping and laughing at us - we got there! We wandered the markets and had dinner from the street sellers (and a cheeseburger for Jack!) and then had a tuk tuk ride back to the hotel. The next day we went to the temple of Wat Arun, had a look at the Grand Palace, and after a swim, went to the MBK mall- a collosus of a consumerist temple selling all sorts of stuff- somewhat overwhelming. After trying to find a bus stop for the local bus back to the hotel,and with very tired kids, we gave up and had another tuk tuk ride!

we're sitting in Bangkok airport getting ready to fly to Siam Reap so time only for a potted summary of Paris- how cool that we were in Paris for the end of the Tour De France- like thousands of others we lined the streets and watched the cyclists do laps around the Louvre and Jardin de Tulierres at high speed- it was fantastic to be there. The kids enjoyed it too but nowhere near as much as a day at Disneyland Paris- what a treat- we had a great day- we were there when the park opened at 10 and were on the train home at about 11:30pm- after an incredible illumination and firework display. There were some great rides and the Main Street parade with all the Disney characters to make you smile- they do performance very well- we met Pluto (Darren had to be reminded who it was) and Minnie Mouse, but decided not to wait for the hour it took to meet Mickey! We loved the galleries- musee D'Orsay, L'Orangerie ( which had been closed for renovation when Lou and Darren were there 1...