Me and hubs had the opportunity to travel to Siem Reap, Cambodia earlier this week (click here on our previous post, reviewing our stay at Boutique Cambo Hotel). The highlight of our trip was definitely the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Angkor Wat. It was built by King Suryavarman II in the 12th century (the temple might probably be about 1,000 years old by now) and was also featured in the movie starring Angelina Jolie, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider. Below are some photos of our trip to Angkor Wat. Enjoy the photos peeps!
Next destination: Angkor Wat.
We had bought the tickets the day before. Buying the tickets the afternoon before your actual visit, like say if you arrive at the temple at 4 o'clock, you may visit the temple there and then (the temple complex closes at 5.30 pm) and then come again the very next day and continue where you left off. There's plenty of temples to be seen (the complex is HUGE!) and it's quite a distance between the various temples so in this way you might have the opportunity to visit more temples and also enjoy the sunset from any one of the temples (we were recommended to view the sunset from Phnom Bakheng but unfortunately we arrived on the dot at 5.30 pm so the temple was closed to visitors).
There are three different types of tickets sold: Day Pass at USD20, Three-Day Pass at USD 40 and Seven-Day Pass (I forgot how much though). Depending on how much time you plan on spending at the temples, you can opt from these three different tickets.
Angkor Wat is about 5 kilometers away from Siem Riep. Went to Angkor Wat at 5.30 am to catch the sunrise but alas, the day was cloudy and there was no sun to be seen. The heritage site opens from 5.30 am until 5.30 pm daily.
You can also opt to cycle to the complex (but believe me when I say it's quite a distance) or rent a motorbike/ car (depending on how much you're willing to spend on your visit). A tuk-tuk ride to the temple complex would take about 10 - 15 minutes. We rented the tuk-tuk from the hotel for the whole day for only USD15.
Naga. At the entrance of Angkor Wat temple you will be greeted by two seven-headed Naga carvings, believed to be the protector of the temple.
It was only 6 am and already the place is packed with tourists.
The temple building.
Hubs posing inside the complex. The wall on the left is filled with carvings.
Stone carving on the temple walls. Simply incredible. All these stone carvings actually tells their own tale on Khmer history.
Yours truly at the Angkor Wat temple.
Devata. You'll notice plenty of carvings on Devatas at every temple in Angkor. I guess women must have played quite a big role in the Khmer empire.
It's definitely quite a distance from the temple to the main gate.
Met some Cambodian kids outside the temple selling postcards of Angkor Wat for only USD1.
Frankly I'd have to say that I would like to have more time to spend exploring Angkor Wat but unfortunately I only have three and a half days in Siem Reap thus I couldn't really explore the whole place. My advice to those who plan to visit, make sure you're properly attired (you will be working up quite a sweat), wear proper shoes (or slippers because if it rains, the ground will get pretty muddy) and bring at least a bottle of water (all that walking will make you a very thirsty traveler). There's plenty of food stalls near almost all the temples but unfortunately for Muslims, the nearest halal eatery is in Siem Reap itself. We opted for a half-day trip to Angkor Wat, Bayon temple and Ta Phrom then left the temple complex for lunch.
Will post more photos on the other two temples soon.
xoxo Mrs Fashionista
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