Relaxing in my divey hotel before the flight to Cambodia. Few places have resided on my list for a longer period. Angkor has haunted my travel dreams for years.

South East Asia has a climate that essentially precludes me from venturing here save for a narrow window. The temples, the street food, the warm and curious people prove fascinating, but as the temp rises past 90 I begin to die on the inside. The weather so far this run has been fucking majestic. The hottest stretch of the day is perfect for an AC inspired nap. The morning treks to the temples have been my favorite. Well, the night markets have been awesome as well.

The temple grounds, in the morning, on a week day are practically empty. You absolutley will not see my ass out here in 100+ degrees battling swarms of crazed camera toting tour groups, melting into a bright white puddle. No thank you.

The great thing about Bangkok is that there are numerous temples to wander. Beware of the tuk tuk drivers pitching you packages, as they often have a bevy of other various services they’d like to sell you as well. Take a morning or two, and go at your own pace. Stop and hit up the street vendors for fresh fruit and absorb the feeling of this big crazy city and it’s pockets of ambience.

And of course, Wat Pho. This is a must. Jet lag for me at this point works in strange ways. For Europe, it’s not bad at all, for Asia, however, I’m up incredibly early. I’m ready to rock at 5:30 am. Although, despite this round in Bangkok, what seems to be a feline orgy outside my window into the wee hours. (Cat sex sounds as awful as you’d imagine by the way). That aside, this city is a completely different place in the early morning. Hit the temples refreshed and non hungover.

Just a few days in the bustling Thai mega city remind me why it never left my mind over the last decade. Visions of Bangkok are distinct and vibrant. This was after all, my first city in Asia. Now I’ve returned, and soon to be headed into the jungle to embrace my inner Indiana Jones and wander the temple ruins for a few days.

The grand question is…where to after that?

Cambodia will be country #67. What an incredible year it has been.

Thanks for the feedback, always greatly appreciated!