pat-foodtravel: Cambodia - Siam Reap

Monday, April 18, 2011

Cambodia - Siam Reap - 13 December 2009

Breakfast - not least impressed with Cambodia food

Pat & Sern Yin

Food aside, this day has to be the highlight of our Cambodia trip. Very beautiful views, something which caught me by surpirse. Had a fantastic photo session throughout the day.

Standing the spot where Angelina Jolie filmedTomb Raider- Feel the Vibes

Our first stop was Ta Prohm Temple, also known as Tomb Raider Temple the place where Angelina Jolie did the filming.

Observe the silence

Ta Prohm Temple

Unlike most of the temples of Angkor, this temple has been largely left to the clutches of the living jungle. We saw enormous fig trees and gigantic creepers embrace themselves in the stone foundations of the structure.

Angkor Wat

What a splendor beauty finally seeing Angkor Wat in person. This was what drew me to Cambodia and interestingly this place knocked at my door 3 times and on the 3rd attempt did I take up the offer to visit Cambodia. This is magnificent Angkor Wat, one of the 7 wonders of the New World. One can actually spend 3 days here just viewing the place.

View carvings on the walls which reveal the beliefs, practices and the way of life then. Stroll around the site of this massive monument to explore many of its galleries with columns, libraries, pavillions, courtyards and ponds.

Southern Gate of Angkor Thom

Buddha

Different faces of Bayon

There were a series of colossal human faces carved in stones along its narrow corridors and steep flight of stairs.

Finally Pat gets to see Angkor Wat

Take a break, have the Coconut juice

Our last stop was Bakheng Hill. What an experience. Usually we climb up the stair with our feet at 90 degree, in this case, the steps were so steep that one had to climb up the stairs with our feet at 45 degree, ie at side way. We had to use the railings to support us. It was more scary climbing downwards. Yet seeing the sunset was awesome. At dusk, we ascended Bakheng Hill to view the spectacular sunset over Angkor Wat. Breadth-taking was the word. It will be an experience I will remember for life.