Angkor Whaaaat?

    On our first full day in Siem Reap we hired a tuk tuk for the next three days and thus spent those days in the Angkor Wat park. They have a pretty good set up depending on the number of days you choose. One day entry is $20, and 3 day is $40. The tuk tuk drivers know what routes are good to take so one day, our first day, yo do the big loop. With lots of smaller temples on it, each one interesting in its own right.

First Gate

Powerful Tree

The holes in the stone were for a stick to be inserted so they could be carried easier.

     The second day we were on our tuk tuk by 5am for the sunrise at Angkor Wat. We were so tired on the drive and it was pitch black, upon reaching the park you could see a huge line of tuk tuk lights which was quite funny! Plenty of people coming to witness the sunrise over an ancient temple. We went inside the main entrance and walked a little till we saw the pond on the left hand side which is quite a popular spot and if you're at all interested in reflections (like me!) you gotta be there pretty early. The sunrise was beautiful, around 6:45am the glowing orange ball of sun started to creep up from behind the temple and offer a glorious view and a lovely reflection. After the sun is up there are plenty of little stands you can get breakfast at before exploring the temple itself. Which is actually floating! I had no idea but we learned from a documentary that the temple is actually afloat. There's a little fun fact for you.
      The next temple, my favorite, was Angkor Thom. This is the temple where you can see all the faces etched into the stone high up on the temple. They were mesmerizing to look at; some with their smiling face, others partly crumbled beyond recognition of their emotion. The area of this temple is large and after you exit you can walk through some grassy areas and see many statues of elephant heads as well. Later on we went to the temple that is well known because of the film the Tomb Raider. The previous evening we had gone to this cool cinema that has a handful of small theaters where you choose your own movie and it's really neat! So we chose Tomb Raider. And shortly thereafter realized how crappy of a movie it really is. Oh well, because the temple itself was majestic in that in many parts, gargantuan trees had reclaimed their place and grown up and over and through pieces of this stone temple. Score one for nature!

Sunrise at Angkor Wat

Inside Angkor Wat

Angkor Thom

Elephant Heads

Another cool temple

Tomb Raider temple. Go mother earth!

       The third day we went out farther to all the temples away from the mainstream. Spent alot of time riding in the tuk tuk but these temples were nice as well. I really enjoyed seeing each one and their similarities and differences and how much they've gone through. Another thing I thought was incredible was not only the massive size of these structures but the intricate details and carvings of people or stories or writing that ornately covered most the temples. It must have been such hard work and I was tired just from walking around them in the heat all day! I do really recommend getting the three day pass. It's far too much to see in just one day, they aren't something to rush through.

 

     Besides the little cinema which is located in a small mall with a Swensen's Ice Cream where we also spent some time, there are a few markets where touristy goods can be bought. One is a night market just across the river, and the other is main and central and can't be missed. It sells everything you could possibly want souvenir-wise. Pub Street is quite good and definitely a popular place to go for food of any kind and drinks. We liked a place that served good Mexican food and had a wood fire oven for great pizza so there were many options! If you're a bit more adventurous there are street vendors selling snake, tarantulas and other insects.

Gourmet BUGS

Pub  Street

At the movie!

Swensen's yummy ice cream

     We stayed at a hostel called Siem Reap Central Hostel and although it is cheap, I do not recommend it. The first night we stayed there I woke up with my skin almost completely covered in itchy red bed bug bites. Not what I call a good time being constantly itchy over the next couple days! But I now check every bed for those gross little things.

     Anyways, Siem Reap is a pretty great city to spend a few days, taking your time at the temples and coming back into town for some good food and a fun or relaxing night. The Angkor Wat temples though, should not be missed! They're incredible.