It was an early start getting to Angkor at 7am in order to beat the crowds and also to avoid the midday sun. Very wise as well even though meant up at 5.30. By 9 am the temperature was in the thirties, no breeze and the humidity level was excruciating. There is no way we could have continued all day so the plan was to go to Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom in the morning. Go for lunch then return later in the afternoon when the sun had cooled down a bit. we did manage to avoid the big crowds this way but honestly, by lunchtime, I could not carry on much further without a cool off period. The sunshine is lovely, it is the humidity that gets to you. It is seriously hot.
The heat does not however deflect from the splendour and wonder of the site. Angkor is actually made up of 300 temples, it would take at least a week to visit them all and we concentrated on the main ones. The site is huge and it takes a while to move between temples but there are electric cars and tuc tucs available.
First stop, Angkor Wat. Oh my god, a truly awesome experience and the most beautiful site I have ever seen. It was everything and more than I had hoped for, just stunning. The intricacy of the stone work and the lay out of the temples with all the columns and corridors is just amazing. It has a very spiritual feel about the place. Nothing I can say can do this place justice, hopefully the pictures will go some way to showing the splendour, but this is one thing that really needs to be seen in person to truly appreciate the size, scale and beauty of this magnificent site.
The next temple for the morning was the Bayon temple part of Ankgor Thom. Again, a stunning place
So after lunch and a rest from the sun, we returned to the temple of Ta Prom. The trees have not been removed from this temple, so this is the Lara Croft Tomb Raider scene, the images from this film are what led me here. As it was more jungle like here and as it was getting later in the day, there are loud jungle noises in the background mixed without the sounds of the shrieking monkeys that live here in the trees.
There are a lot of children around selling bracelets, musical instruments, postcards, books, bags and lots of other nics and nacs. I brought some bangles and then of course ended up with more from another child, more postcards then I will ever need, books, ornaments and all sorts, because I am too much of a soft touch! I was last back on the bus as I could not get out for the mass of children around me chanting 'one dollar for 3'. What an experience.
After a very hectic and tiring day, a quick dinner in the Market of grilled chicken, cabbage and salad, for four dollars with beers to day (pushing the boat out) and quick look around the night Market, then bed! Siem Reap is a beautiful town, there are lots of restaurants, markets and shops. The is a street named Pub Road, mainly made up of restaurants geared to appeal to westerners. The food is good, we had lunch in Champys. However, my preference is still the local Market restaurants where not only is the food good, but you can spend time with the locals. You can buy anything you want here, but of course you must haggle in the Market place! You can also get a manicure, pedicure or massage in the markets or stick your feet into a tank of piranhas for them to eat off your dead skin, if you feel so inclined.
Cambodia, vibrant, lively, friendly and home is just a tuc tuc away!
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