Bayon, Preah Khan, and Ta Prohm

After departing from Angkor Wat we headed north to Bayon, known for the hundreds of faces carved into the towers, walls and columns.

Bayon was incredible. I can't imagine how beautiful it looked when it was first constructed.
The faces all look serene, with a hint of a smile on their lips; to us this was a perfect representation of the Khmer people. We hadn't met a single person here that didn't smile at us or make us feel welcomed.

Since it was quite rainy the rooms inside the temple were a bit dark and wet, but we had fun exploring and trying to find hidden sneaky ways all the same!

Next up was Preah Khan. This temple was on the big loop of the Angkor site.
Usually people do the small loop (all the more popular temples) the first day, and the big loop (the less well known temples) the second day. We did both in one day since we didn't have much time here.

Preah Khan was a bit of a shock for us.
Compared to the other two temples we've seen this one was in a complete state of ruin.
The complex architectural designs so well pronounced at Angkor Wat was barely discernible here.

Be aware of men (from young boys to older men) chatting you up to explain the history of a certain statue or wall you're look at. They'll keep showing you around for 5-10 minutes and then ask for a "donation".
Just forcefully but graciously tell them you know all about it already and you're not interested in a guide.
Money here goes a looooong way and you're better off just hiring a real guide.

Needless to say after being pestered a few times and going around in circles looking at fallen ruins we wanted to move on.

So last but not least we headed to Ta Prohm, the Tomb Raider temple!

This temple was in the best shape with construction going on all around to revamp the place to all of its former glory. I'd love to go back when it's done to see what it looked it when it was first built.
Seeing nature take over what human hands had built was breath taking.
This is one of the best examples of the coexistence of jungle and concrete so beautifully intertwined I believe I will ever see.

Without further ado, I give you, Ta Prohm!

 

This was our big Bucketlist tick for the year and we couldn't be happier. This place is historical and magical.
We did no research on it before going but picked up bits of history on it here and there.
I highly recommend a trip.
Reconstruction is going on but most of the temples are open to tourists.
If you're anywhere near S.E. Asia and you miss this, shame on you.

Also notice how most of these picture have no other people in them? Rainy season!!
At time it felt like it was just us here so rainy season in my view is the way to go.

More from Cambodia soon.
xxxx

#152: Visit Angkor Wat

Chris and I finally got to tick one of our years biggest goals: Visit Angkor Wat, #152 on my Bucketlist!

It was incredible.
We chose to hire a tuk-tuk to see the temples. It cost us $15 for the whole day.
Your other options are a bicycle ($1/day), walking (free), or a taxi (approx. $25 for the day). We enjoy tuk-tuks, and as it's the rainy season in Cambodia we didn't want to risk getting caught in a downpour or exhaust ourselves before we got a chance to see everything we wanted.
Our driver was waiting for us at the front door of our hotel promptly at 5am.
As our hotel booking came with breakfast and we were leaving before breaky was being served, the lovely people at the front desk organized a take away breaky.

It was pitch black when we left the hotel. We couldn't see the road since there are no lamp posts lighting it. We could barely see each other. We couldn't even see the breaky and had to guess what we were eating by the shape, smell and taste.

On the way to the temples you stop to buy your visit pass. Don't bother bringing a photo (lots of guide books suggest to), they take one for you at the ticketing office. And in about 2-5 mins time you have a pass and are on your way once again.

The sky slowly started turning from black to grey to blue and Angkor Wat appeared before us out of the darkness of the night.

The sky was getting bluer and bluer as we passed the first gate.

And we rushed to get a spot in front overlooking the lily pond and the Angkor Wat temple.

The sun started to rise and gave us our first real view of this grandiose place. It's really a once in a lifetime experience.
Not too much later the clouds gathered and rain drizzled almost all morning. Everything is always more beautiful with the sun shining on it (or so I think) so I would recommend going in the dry season (November - April). However hotels are cheaper in the wet season. So I guess it's based on preference.

Back to Angkor Wat in all of its magnificence!!

And with one last look back at Angok Wat we headed out of the gate.
These photos can't possibly do this place justice. It's beautiful, historic, precise, lush. I kept trying to picture what it would be like to live there. To mediate and pray within those walls with the monks. To watch the sun set and then rise again every day.

We spent hours climbing the steps from one building to the next trying to figure out what it used to be, claiming one as mine and the other as Chris's. We didn't get a guide, but it's probably better that way for us.

Remember to wear something sensible to be allowed up Buddha's staircase (highly recommended!). Shorts and a tee for guys, and pants (or bermuda shorts) and a tee for girls. No baring of shoulders, and nothing shorter than knee length. Trainers (sneakers) are also good. But mind the puddles! I stepped in one within the first 30 mins and had squishy shoes all day.

Also, the funky pants I'm wearing I would highly recommend everyone to get a pair of when you're in Cambodia. They're lightweight, breathable, and in great colors. You can get a pair for $2 at Angor Wat, or about $5 at the markets in Siem Reap.

More from the temples in the next post! Check back soon! xx