Angkor Wat

Angkok Wat... the Eighth Wonder of the World, the 12th century Khmer ruin which has captivated the imagination for centuries. It's a massive, sprawling temple complex located just outside the Cambodian city of Siem Reap.




Angkor Wat at dawn

Most people believe that Angkor Wat is best viewed at dawn, as the pale orange Cambodian sun gradually illuminates the misty sky. It's a surreal experience as the magnificent legendary temple complex slowly comes into view.

the spectacular Angkor Wat

Yes, this is the best way to see Angkor Wat. Unfortunately hundreds of tourists agree, and it's almost impossible to get a good view due to the crowds, even at five in the morning. Nevertheless, I was out there in the dark waiting to see the famous sight from across the temple's lotus pond. It's still a sight worth seeing.

Angkor Thom temple

Angkor Historical Park is huge. While Angkor Wat is definitely is definitely the most famous of the temples, the Bayon Temple at Angkor Thom is unmissable too. Angkor Thom was the grand walled capital city of the great Angkor Empire. The most iconic feature are the many carved faces that look out from every wall and tower at Angkor Thom.



Bayon heads at Angkok Thom

The centerpiece of Angkor Thom is the Bayon Temple, with its many carved "Bayon Faces". There are something like two-hundred of these serene, smiling faces looking out over Angkor Thom.

the gates at Angkor Thom

It can get very hot in Cambodia, even in October. There's not much shade out at Angkor Thom. It was midmorning by the time we left Angkor Wat, stopped for breakfast at Angkor Café, and finished exploring Angkor Thom. The sun was high in the sky and beating down over the historical park.

afternoon in Cambodia

The last time I visited Angkor Wat two years ago, I had gotten a three-day pass, which gave me time to explore places like a sacred waterfall with Khmer carvings and the jungle temple, Bang Melia. This visit, we just got a one-day pass, and only planned on doing the "small circuit" tour of the three most famous temples.

the Angkor temples are Hindu in origin

Our host, Sovong, drove us to and around Angkor, and gave us an insider view on the importance of this great ancient kingdom in Cambodian history. It was really cool to be shown around by a local, and I really think it helped me get more out of the experience. I knew Angkor Wat would be crowded, and I almost wondered if it was worth the effort for me to go again. I'm glad I did though, because this visit was different than the one I had done before.



monks at Angkor Thom

The third and final temple we visited was Ta Phrom. Ta Phrom Temple is still partially overgrown by the jungle. It can get really crowded, as it's one of the park's most photogenic spots, but it looks really cool. I've been told that this temple was featured in one of the Tomb Raider movies starring Angelina Jolie.

Ta Phrom Temple

We spent several hours at the three temples, and I was hot and exhausted by the time we left Ta Phrom and drove back into Siem Reap. I didn't really enjoy the crowds, and since we visited the park's three most famous temples, it was impossible to escape from the hoards of tourists. Given more time, I would have chosen to get off the main tourist trail and see some of the temples further afield, like I did two years ago at Bang Melia.



Ta Phrom (the "Tomb Raider" Temple)

Nevertheless, I had a wonderful time. Something about Cambodia keeps bringing me back year after year. I never plan on going again, but somehow it always seems to happen that I find myself in Siem Reap.

 

For now, I don't have any more big trips planned until April when the school year ends and I'll fly back to visit the US. Who knows where my next big adventure will take me though? Sometimes you can't plan these short-notice trips, and they just happen. Sometimes, that's the best way,