Asia Adventure 2016: Part 3: Siem Reap, Cambodia
Our Asian Adventure: 10 Flights. 7 Cities. 5 Countries. All in 2 weeks.
The third leg of our trip took us to Siem Reap, Cambodia!
Day 1:
- The first day didn't really count as a day. We arrived pretty late. We hopped into our very first tuk-tuk and made our way to the hotel. We settled in for the night so we could be rested and ready to go the following day.
Day 2:
- We emerged ready to start the day and met with our private tour guide and driver. We used Happy Angkor Tours and they were great! They took us to our first stop and the main attraction of Siem Reap: Angkor Wat. This temple complex was originally built as a Hindu temple and then later converted to Buddhist. We started on the outside of the complex and slowly made our way inside to the main towers. Everything had extraordinary details and we could have easily spent the whole day there exploring every little nook.
- We did end up spending all morning there. And the sun was in full force, so as we hopped into the car for lunch, the driver offered up some ice cold damp towels to freshen up with. These were a life saver!
- After lunch, we made our way to Ta Prohm, also known as the Tomb Raider Temple, since it was one of the sites where the movie Tomb Raider was shot. This was probably one of my favorite temples that we saw in Cambodia. I loved the way the trees grew around the temple. I felt like Indiana Jones just by being there!
- Next, was a quick stop at Angkor Thom's Victory Gate.
- We continued on past the gate to see the Terrace of the Elephants within Angkor Thom. Here is where the king would sit and view different events and ceremonies.
- Right next to the Terrace of Elephants was the Terrace of the Leper King. The name comes from the statue itself, which was covered in moss that looked like leprosy. The statue on display, though, is actually a replica. The original is in a museum.
- Next, we walked around the Royal Palace of Angkor Thom.
- Afterwards, we kept trekking to the Baphuon Temple.
- Next, we went to another of our favorites: the Bayon Temple. One of the most interesting features in the Bayon Temple is the many smiling faces on all the towers.
- The sun was starting to set, so we started our way back to the hotel. But first, we stopped for a few pictures of Angkor Thom's South Gate.
- That concluded our first full day in Siem Reap. It was hot and there were a lot of stairs (like almost too many), but it was super worth it! I felt like I was an adventurer in some movie, walking through all the temple ruins.
Day 3:
- Day 3 started super early. We woke up before the sun so we could catch the sunrise over Angkor Wat. It ended up being super gorgeous and I'm glad I was able to experience it. But, be warned, you have to get there super early (we got there an hour or so before sunset) to get front row. And people will be pushing you to try and get in closer. We were able to get some good shots inside the gate and then moved outside the gate to get a few more pictures with the actual sun in them.
- After the sunrise, we went back to the hotel for some breakfast and then hit the road again. First stop of the day was Banteay Kdei.
- Next, we went to Pre Rup. A temple entirely built out of brick, it is usually associated with funeral rituals.
- On our way to lunch, we made a quick stop at Banteay Samre.
- After lunch, we continued on to Banteay Srei. Though small, the details on the walls and door frames are super beautiful. They tell different Hindu stories.
- Next, we journeyed to Preach Khan, known for it's "Hall of Dancers".
- Afterwards, we made a short stop at Neak Pean, where people used to come to cure their illnesses. To get to the temple, you have to walk down a board walk through a marshy lake. It was quite beautiful and a nice change of pace.
- Next, we stopped at Ta Som, a small yet beautiful temple.
- At this point, the sun was starting to set, so we headed towards our last temple of the day, East Mebon.
Day 4:
- We didn't have a tour guide for our last day (our flight was in the afternoon). So instead of temple hopping, we decided to check out the Old Market. If you're looking for some great priced souvenirs or spices, this is the place to go. There is a little bit of everything. But you will have to barter for the best price.
- After that, we had to grab lunch and head to the airport.
I really enjoyed our time in Siem Reap. The people were super friendly and the temples were super beautiful. You may think that all the temples are the same, but each had its own charm and usually had at least one defining feature that separated it from the others. I loved feeling like Indian Jones, walking around the ruins.
But, it was time to head to our next destination, Bangkok, Thailand!
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Part 2: Beijing, China
Part 4: Bangkok, Thailand
