Last words

Cambodia has been a wonderful place to visit due to its superb hospitality, aside from the magnificent Angkor Wat and the cheap budget too! Due to my limited days of vacation, we started from the capital Phnom Penh to adapt ourselves to the Khmer culture, before heading off to the pre-Angkorian ruins of Sambar Prei Kuk near Kampong Thom, and finally rounding up our trip in Siem Reap for some tomb-raiding in the Angkor Wat Archaeological Park.

Well, despite my apathy towards Khmer food, amok still will be the favourite Khmer food.  The cheap and clean massage parlour where I had my full body massage and scrub done  almost everyday was a real bargain, and I think it's the cheapest one can get in Southeast Asia.

Anyway, to wrap things up, Cambodia was awesome; it's cheap and it's friendly!

The big circuit

The following day, we explored the big circuit instead, with the same tuk-tuk driver that we hired the day before as we were quite pleased with his services. The temple complexes we visited along this route included Pre Rup, Eastern Mebon, Banteay Samre, Ta Som, and Preah Neak Poan. By the time I have finished writing this blog I had already forgotten which photos are from which temple!

The nicest temple complex of the day was Banteay Srei, which is somehow different from the other temples in Angkor Wat Archaeological Park. It is mostly devoted to Shiva, instead of Vishnu, and is made up of stones of a pinkish hue. 

By the time we were done with Banteay Srei, it was almost noon. That ends our so-called tomb raiding along the big circuit of the Angkor Wat Archaeological Park, and we headed back to our hotel to rest again.

The following days it poured heavily so we spent most of our time hanging around in Siem Reap down town and in our hotel room. The room was cosy enough so we had no problem lazing for the remaining days we still have in Siem Reap. 

The small circuit

Angkor Wat, or I should say Angkor Wat Archaeological Park to be exact, comprises of many other temple complexes, aside the world renowned Angkor Wat. It is impossible for one to visit all the temples in just one day, unless you rush yourself and pay your tuk-tuk driver a large sum of money. Plus, the best time to visit usually is the early mornings and the late evenings when the scorching sun isn't at its best. 

For instant, tourists will swarm the Angkor Wat for a glimpse of a Cambodian sunrise, but they would usually head back to their hotels for breakfast before coming back again to resume their tour. Thus, the best time to explore Angkor Wat would be the moment after the sun has risen, which is what we did basically!

After leaving our foot prints all over Angkor Wat, we started off with the small circuit, with Banteay Kdei temple as our first destination. Bantey Kdei was a Buddhist monastery built in the 12th century, but it is now left in ruins. Each of its entrances is guarded by the four faces of Avalokiteshvara as shown in the photo above. 

Just east of Banteay Kdei is the Sra Srang (Pool of Ablutions), once a royal bathing pond, and now the royal mosquito breeding pond. LOL!

The next temple complex is the famous Ta Prohm, which gained fame after Angelina Jolie ran around sniping everyone in The Tomb Raider, which was filmed here. This temple has been gradually reclaimed by the forest, and you would see trees sprouted from the structures within. The most famous spot would be the "Tomb Raider" tree and probably everyone who visits here takes a photo with this tree, and so did I. 

We stopped by the other two small temples, Ta Nei and Ta keo, followed by the twins Chau Say Tevoda and Thommanon, where we explored a bit, and took some snapshots of these temples, before heading for Angkor Thom.

Passing through the Victory Gate, we finally arrived in Angkor Thom, the last great capital of the Khmer empire. Angkor Thom, despite its lesser fame, is actually much bigger than Angkor Wat. 

The most visited temple in Angkor Thom would be the mesmerising Bayon, famed with its 216 faces of Avalokiteshvara. Wherever you go, you would be beheld by one of the huge heads from each and every angle!

By then, the weather has gone from breezy cool to scorching hot with the just above us, and we have started to develop temple fatigue. Hence, it was time to call it a day and head back to Siem Reap for a nice nap. Nonetheless, we finished up with the remaining temples inside Angkor Thom - Prasat Suor Prat, Preach Pithu, Terrace of the Leper King, Preah Palilay, Phimeanakas, Baphuon and finally Terrace of the Elephants.

Back in the hotel, the first thing I did was have a quick dip in the nice little salted pool. Ah.... how divine it is to be able to dip yourself in this cool little waterhole after sweating like a cow!

We spent the rest of our day resting in our room after lunch and by night fall, we toured Siem Reap's night markets and pub street. I guess one can never get bored with Siem Reap; it's full of pubs, massage parlours, manicure kiosks, souvenir stalls, etc.. There's always something to do here at night. :)