Hello from Cambodia

Another phrase I never ever thought I would say.

We had a great final day in Thailand that included another German beer garden, high tea at the Cehdi, shopping, and lunch at an organic restaurant next to a wat with stunning architecture.

We spent most of yesterday flying to Siem Reap--all the planes were late.

Today was an exhausting day, sunny, almost 90 degrees, with lots of humidity. We were up before dawn to see sunrise over Angor Wat, then climbed up and down to see multiple temples. It was amazing to realize that they all date from the 11th and 12th century AD; there is so much world history we never learned. Ultimately the kingdoms were overrun and the jungle engulfed the temples until they were discovered by a Frenchman collecting butterflies around 1860. The whole area was so dangerous they had to burn the undergrowth to get rid of the scorpions, snakes, etc; that is why parts of the temples today are black.

These days they work at eliminating another threat -- land mines that are continuing to be discovered throughout the countryside.

Today we also visited a shop that teaches deaf children traditional arts and crafts and then sends them back to their village with a skill that will allow them to support themselves for the rest of their lives. Spent way too much on the local products, but the young people do incredible work.

Finally, we just returned from our last event, a ballon ride to see Angor Wat in late afternoon. Very well-planned tours; we are lucky to have found such a good tour company with the help of a great Naperville travel agent. Also, a really lovely hotel to ""come home to."

Tomorrow more temples and the next day we leave for Laos.