Deep Fried Spiders and A Novel Marketing Tactic!(15km)
Up at 6.30am, quick breakfast, depart at 8am. Day was mainly spent in vans driving from Phnom Penh to Siam Reap. We drove for about hour and a half then stopped for restroom break. Again, as now expected, we were instantly deluged with kids trying to sell us things - this time, however, the local specialty were deep fried spiders and locusts! Mmmmm.... Not wishing to spoil my lunch, I somehow managed to hold myself back from diving in and devouring said crispy arachnids. I almost had a heart attack though, whilst negotiating with the little girl for some fresh pineapple, I suddenly noticed her brooch moving and realised it was a non-fried version - a frigging enormous spider!! ARRGGHHHH!!! My arachnaphobia in full swing, I tried to contain my freaking out, paid quickly for my pineapple and went an hyperventilated quietly in a corner. At least the girl had something to distinguish herself from the hoards of other sellers, so a good little marketer in the making!!!

Excitement/fear over, it was back in vans for another hour until we arrived at Kampong Tom for lunch. Mainly local fishy dishes – not massively keen but had been eating cookies had bought at rest stop, so imminent starvation wasn't too likely. After lunch, back in van for yet another hour's drive until we stopped to get out of the buses and stretch our legs with a quick cycle for an hour along the old highway that used to run north to South. The Thai border is about 100km north – where they’ve been having all the trouble. The countryside was absolutely gorgeous so kept stopping to take lots of pics. Only cycled 15km – enough to get legs moving but was very hot so still got v sweaty. Also roads very bumpy!!

After ride, back in bus for another 2hrs to get to Siam Reap, a well-developed touristy town with plenty of hotels, bars and restaurants. Quite the change from what we'd seen over the last few days! We arrived about 5pm, I had quick shower then wandered in town for a bit to check out the local market. There were lots of beautiful silks and carvings of all descriptions, plus jewellery and fake watches aplenty - I think a taster of what's to come in Bangkok!! I stopped for glass wine at a place called the Boom Boom Room cos was lost – then, on asking directions, hotel was literally just across the street!

Joined others for dinner at 8pm. Lovely restaurant – really quite posh! Shared nice bottle suav blanc with Amy and saw some frogs (who were quite nonchalent about being photographed!). A few people went on afterwards for beer, but I came back to hotel for a good nights’ kip!