MORE TEMPLES

We bought a guide book on the temples from one of the little children selling books and trinkets as we got off the Tuk Tuk, they are so entertaining. They have a set patter, asking you where you come from and then telling you the capital , population and who the prime minister is. They are very persistant and cute at the same time. I find it really tugs at my hert strings!!

We did not get a guide but we mustled in on guided tours in English along the way. So we managed to find out a lot more about the history of the temples and the significance of some of the carvings and sculptures.
They also like the tourists to get in the spirit of things for a small fee. They put you in the dancing positions and let you take a photo. I have to say I do not think I am a natural in Thai dancing!!!

The roots of trees have grown around the temples over the years and now the temples are dependent on the trees to stay standing. It really is wonderous to see.

The guide book says that one of the temples was used in Indiana Jones, Tomb Raider, but we where not sure where. Then as we were going around one of the temples a group of small boys came over and said they would take us to the place where they filmed Tomb Raider. We were not sure, but decided to take a chance, it was only a dollar if they were hoodwinking us. I am so glad that we went with our gut feelings. They took us through a gap in a wall and through the woods, we would never have found our way ! and we came to the place where they filmed. They even showed us the best vantage points to take pictures.


When we gave them the dollar they asked for more because they said they have to give the police a backhander so that they can continue to show people through the gap in the wall. This place is so corrupt on so many levels!!

As we found out when I booked my bus ticket to Bangkok for the next day. Apparently the road is not built yet because the airlines give the government a backhander to stop them finishing the road. This will encourage more people to fly ! But not wanting to be forced to do something I did not want to do I opted for the road to Bangkok , thinking it can't be that bad!!! if only I had known!!!