The Preparations

    Songkran starts tomorrow but that's not stopping the Thais from splashing up a little as we walk by. This is the Thai new year but they celebrate it by splashing water on each other and drenching foreigners during it. This goes on for a few days but even though it has not officially started yet some of us got attacked today. Sadly, that is not how the day began, but it helps explain some activities later on.

    The day started off meeting with Drexler about a paper. Then french toast. It's so good here. Hung out around the room till the cleaning lady came so Donna and I went for mango and sticky rice. This dish is consistently good wherever you go. Then more hanging around and passing out for a few hours. Had a crazy dream about spiders and told Niko about it when he came to the door.

    Our farewell dinner from Chiang Mai University was tonight. Comparing this gathering with the Vietnamese one, the Vietnamese know how to party. We didn't know a single person who showed up (One of our teachers was going to come but had to go take of his grandma), they thought we took too long to order and ordered for us then hogged the food. 

    On the way there a little girl tried to throw a bucket of water at us but fell short. Heading back an old man came up and put this goop on all our faces. It's meant to bring good luck. Drexler got his whole back covered with it as we were walking away (I still have it on my face). To protect ourselves/join in the festivities all of us (minus those who are party poopers) bought water guns tonight. I was seriously considering getting a big, Ben 10 themed one (since that show is popular here) but settled on a littler one. It's debatable if any of us will actually go out during the next few days but at least we have something to defend ourselves with.
Here are some pictures from Angkor!!

Monkey... They are such jerks. 

The first ruins we visited. 

These faces are supposed to be of Buddha but more resemble the ruler who commissioned Angkor to be built. 

One of the carvings

Another view of the first temple we visited

Our first look at Angkor Wat from the back

Our last look at Angkor

Some of the temples are not being renovated so there are entire passages blocked off. 

What does the creature in the top circle look like?? 

The tree from Lara Croft: Tomb Raider

A very famous bas relief showing the struggle between two monkey brothers. It's a Buddhist myth that's part of a much longer story. 

Lizard Count: 4