Wonders in Siem Reap

Saturday, November 01, 2014
This is what I came to Cambodia for; or as they call themselves: Kingdom of Wonder.
The main reason why I traveled to Cambodia was Angkor Wat and all the other ancient and magnificent temples.


Advised by other backpackers Lasse and I told our Tuk Tuk driver - Billy - that we wanted to go for the sunrise at Angkor Wat.
As we arrived at Angkor Wat and walked the gate - rain was pouring down - we could barely see the largest religious monument in the world. There were plenty of people to the left side of the walkway as you get a better view from there. We took a small walk towards the temple before joining the group of people on the field next to the walkway.
I'm embarrassed to say I didn't see many sunrises in my 25 years on this planet. I'm really not that much of a get-up-early-kinda-guy like my father, but once I drag my lazy butt of out bed I absolutely love the silent mornings.
The sunrise at Angkor Wat was indescribable and definitely recommendable for any visit in Siem Reap.


Afterwards our driver Mr. Billy, took us around Angkor Thom and dropped us off at so many temples that I lost count on the way. One in particular caught my interest; Ta Prohm. A temple almost swallowed by the forest. The trees have grown around this ancient temple, it's almost like they're trying to claim the temple as part of nature.


Among the many temples, one of the most famous is called Bayon. I call it the temple with the faces. The iconic faces are placed on the temple's pillars; four on each.
Nearby Bayon elephants are roaming around and you can buy yourself a tour on the back of an elephant, if you'd like to watch the temple from another perspective.


Our day ended with a visit to a war museum. Once again; tanks, anit aircraft cannons, planes, helicopters and so on. What made this one unique was the option to hold authentic firearms from the war.
They say that you can spend three days walking the temples of Siem Reap, we did it all in just a single day + a war musuem. I think I would have enjoyed it even more without the big hordes of tourists that showed up during the day, but I'd still call this a wonder of the world, which should be on any traveler's bucket list.

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