My Cambodian Journey: Bow to the Magnificent Angkor Wat and More

We've come to the highlight of the visit; my most anticipated moment, one that i had wanted to experience and as i stood before the great, ancient temples, i could not but bow to the magnificence of its wonder. Truly, my visit to Angkor Wat was beyond what i'd expected- because the surrounding temples impressed just as much.

The Day Before...

After arriving in Siem Reap and checking in at our hostel, i didn't know that we can do this: see the sunset on the day before. Do this, because after a full day around Angkor Wat, you'll not have enough energy to get through to sunset. Meeting Ty at 4.30pm at our hostel, he brought us to the Angkor Wat ticketing booth and we had to queue up with other enthusiastic tourists- the booths opened at 5pm. The one-day admission pass cost USD 20 printed with a photograph of my face taken on the spot. We got the pass and quickly left to the best sunset spot, hoping to avoid the incoming crowd.

Phnom Bakheang

We had to hike up the hill then wait for our turn to climb the stairs up onto the temple because the stairs could only take a limited number of people at once. We were greeted by many other tourists waiting at the top, sitting and standing at the edge, not wanting to let go of the good spot. 5.30pm and the sun was still up.

Queue up for the climb to the top of Phnom Bakheang to watch the sunset.

Limited number of people at once.

Walking around, waiting for the sun to set completely.

With a door that looked like a set in Narnia. I liked the orange shading on the buildings.

The adorable sunset. Like a scene of The Lion King. It was getting dark when we descended the hill, then back to our hostel for the exciting tomorrow.

The Day...

Angkor Wat

We left the hostel at 5am to be with the crowd in front of Angkor Wat. It was so dark i could see nothing. Slowly, the nothingness became something, and then the something became everything before the blue sunrise.

Enjoyed the silhouette of Angkor Wat. 

Angkor Wat and its reflection during the blue sunrise.

Walking around Angkor Wat, getting lost in the wonder.

The steep steps up, not open to public.

Morning stretch in front of a door in Angkor Wat.

The almost-continuous carvings on the walls of Angkor Wat.

Angkor Wat and me at another angle.

 

No doubt a world heritage site, this magnificent temple felt more than a temple to me- it felt like a castle, a fortress or even a maze. The main front gate, every wall carved with the great story of war, and inside stood the pagodas; the temple surrounded by a moat. The stairs to the pagodas open around 7.40am and only properly dressed tourists are allowed up. Wear long pants (or short pants covering the knees), sleeved shirts, no scarf and no hat or cap. Even the top of the pagoda has a large platform.

The pagoda peak seen after climbing up inside.

I could not stop awing at the great size of Angkor Wat. Imagine the manpower and resources needed to build this great wonder today. 

South Gate, Angkor Thom

We entered the Angkor Thom from the south. This gate, enough for an elephant to fit through, was like a teaser to what we would be expecting: the faces and the elephants sculpture.

Me with the many statues aligned at the side of the bridge towards the gate.

The South Gate.

Bayon, Angkor Thom

This temple is stunningly beautiful. Approaching the temple from afar, i could see the many faces. We walked in, then up to a platform where the faces are next to us. The crowd was large, sometimes needing to queue to take photo with the faces.

The grandeur of Bayon temple.

Getting ready to get inside and up.

The faces of Bayon seen close inside the temple.

Baphuon, Angkor Thom

The pyramid of Angkor empire. Level by level, we ascended and walked around, between the pillars and through door frames. The most top level was closed but seeing it from below felt like a stairway to heaven, or it could have been a peak for sacrificial activities.

 At the entrance.

The stratified layers and levels of this temple.

 With the pillars.

Sight of its peak.

Terrace of the Elephants, Angkor Thom

Following the map, i didn't know the Terrace of Elephants is a wall. After walking around the grounds of Angkor Thom, we found it, under the hot, blazing sun.

I guessed i'm there.

 Some intricate carvings along the walls.

We had lunch before continuing. The Fish Amok i had was different than the first time i tried- it was watery, the fish meat in fillet and served in a coconut. The coconut drink i had was thirst quenching and relieving in the heat- and it was so big i had a hard time finishing it.

Ta Prom, Small Circuit

Famous because of movie scenes, unique because of the large trees and roots. Surely, it was a temple in a jungle, by rocks and roots. Unlike the other temples before, there were rumbles and inaccessible paths. It looked most original and less reworked. We had to queue to take photo at the popular landmarks but note around you that there are many other equally interesting landmarks that are less touristy- we even walked to parts with only us being there in the same temple.

Queued up for this spot.

Massive roots on this part of the temple. Impressive.

This spot was less touristy but still amazing.

With the rumbles.

Look at the slanting pillars ad ceilings.

Others, Small Circuit

The other temples included Banteay Kdei, 'A Citadel of Chambers' known also as Citadel of Monks, Srah Srang and Prasat Kravan.  

If memory serves me right, these are at the Banteay Kdei.

Can't remember the name of this temple but i can still remember being fascinated by local painters inside selling their artworks. If i had (or have) enough money, i would get one. One amazing large piece cost USD 80.

The baray or reservoir near Srah Srang.

The brick-like structure of Prasat Kravan.

We were exhausted by the end of the tour that when we went back to our hostel, i immediately went for the bed and napped.

Dinner at Old Market

I had Khmer Chicken Curry and Luk Lak for dinner at a local restaurant in Old Market. They were normal compared to other food i had tried so far. The drink we had was special: 'Nangka' Jackfruit Shake but it tasted, in the most polite word, unique. The fried spring rolls were good though.

 Local chicken curry. Unlike Malaysia, it was not spicy.

The Jackfruit Shake.

Local Luk Lak.

The crispy and tasty fried spring roll- the content inside is rather different than the fresh spring roll which was not my cup of tea.

The day ended but the experience of visiting the Angkor Wat and its surrounding temples lives on.

My Cambodian Journey: The Beginning
My Cambodian Journey: A Charming City
My Cambodian Journey: Saddened by History
My Cambodian Journey: A Scenic Ride?
My Cambodian Journey: Bow to the Magnificent Angkor Wat and More
My Cambodian Journey: Sunset at Tonle Sap Lake
My Cambodian Journey: The Next Stop