This morning’s alarm call was at 4.30am in readiness to get to Angkor Wat in the early hours to watch the sun rising over the temple.

Watching the first morning light catch the temple outline is a wonderful sight and one we felt very fortunate to experience.

By 7.15am we were leaving the temple via the Eastgate and headed to the jungle covered Ta Prohm, made famous by the movie Tomb Raider with Laura Croft, aka Angelina Jolie!

Entering the ‘tomb raider’ temple site was more of a jungle experience, as we walked along paths crossing huge vines growing overhead.

Coming upon the temple we were struck by the giant strangler fig trees growing out of the roof of the building. Nature has interwoven itself to such a degree, that were these old trees to be removed most likely the buildings would collapse.

Looking at the trees roots, they are like tentacles that spread over the surface of the temple walls engulfing the structure. Had we been told they were left over props from the Hollywood movie we would have quite believed it!

So much of the temple is in ruins, however preservation work has been undertaken in the last 30yrs in an effort to try to piece together the ancient ruins. It’s a delicate balance and one we believe they have managed, with only parts of the site repaired with the rest left to slowly decay gracefully.

Mighty century old trees sit amongst the temple structure creating a twisted beauty that will stay long in the memory.

As we twisted and turned around the remaining buildings, it was as if we were exploring the site for the first time not knowing what we would come across as we entered another room or opening. Truly a great experience.

This evening is our last in Cambodia, and for some the last one of the whole trip, so it was only right we went out for a few drinks to celebrate.

After a drink with the whole travel group, a few of us headed to Pub Street in the centre of Siem Reap for a bite to eat and cocktails.

After a few cocktails at a Cambodian restaurant, we went to a bar called GOD, another of Shaun’s finds where we were treated to some more drag queens working their magic. A fun way to finish our stay and to say goodbye to some of the friends we have made over the last month.

Tomorrow we have a 10hr bus journey back across the border to Thailand and on to Bangkok. Suspect we will be sleeping a good majority of the time. Hopefully there will be a few familiar faces to greet us when we arrive back at our hotel, as a couple of the guys are flying the route and will be there a few hours before us. Until then.