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I purchased a one-week pass to Angkor for 60 USD. A week of lazying around the ruins of Angkor suits me fine.
For the first day, I engaged a moto for a day's tour to Angkor Wat, Bayon and Ta Prohm for 7 USD. Subsquently, visited Angkor by one-way ride for 1 to 1.5 USD. In Angkor, I was on my own two feet, visiting Angkor Wat, sites within Angkor Thom and sites just outside Angkor Thom including Preah Khan and Ta Prohm. Also visited Banteay Srei on tuk-tuk. As usually, I have my binoculars to do a little birding around.
First impression was that I should have came a few years ago. It is now full of tourist and travellers. Though the sites at Angkor is indeed beautiful, a little of the lost world charm have been lost. Luckily, with the time that I have, I was still able to take it easy, avoiding having to do too much and also going a little out of the way of the hustle and bustle.
Angkor Wat
is a huge complex with a moat running around the outer wall. Unlike many of the other ruins I came across; such as Borobudur and Ananda which shows the splendor from a distant, Angkor Wat review itself a little at a time as I move inwards. Moving slowly and paying respect to the details seems helpful in removing the hustle and bustle around. Compared with the other South-east Asian Ruins that I have visited, its size, style, the level of restoration and the details of Angkor Wat is what I think sets it apart from the others. I also did a little birding around the outer wall. Approaching the main temple complex from the side entrances adds serenity to the experience.
Bayon
with its numerous towers is a riot compare with the fine, balanced form of Angkor Wat.
Ta Prohm
is unique; in the state it is left to mingle with nature; among the sites I have visited in Southeast Asia.
Banteay Srei
though beautiful is too small to accomodate the crowd and I have to que to enter the temple.
I also bird around the city wall of Angkor Thom. There is a broad dust track on top of the wall that make a nice walk, though it gets rather hot in the afternoon. It is also possible to cycle on this path.
Siem Reap
is a rather slow place with not much to do. However, I go around with my camera and drawing blocks and was rewarded with many smiles from the friendly locals. I was to find out that Cambodia is the easiest place I came across to have locals quickly agreeing to have their photos taken, though some kids especially around the temples would asked for a reward.
previous travel blog entry
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