So since the last blog, we have travelled for 6 hours by bus to get to Siem Reap in the North. The final day(s) in Phnom Penh involved a lot of reading and exploring by foot as the New Year is still going so everything was pretty much shut. As we were staying right near the most important Wat (temple) in Phnom Penh, there were many families spending their days having picnics, playing games, singing, playing chess, playing with the local monkeys, getting their nails done at the base of the temple. Was great to just hang around here and watch the festivities.
However, time required us to move on and now we are in Siem Reap. This is the home of Angkor Wat - the temple complex most people recognise on the Cambodian flag, currency, pretty much everywhere! We went there today starting at 8am wondering why were went so early... It made sense later. Managed to see some incredible things already - the temple of Buddha heads called Bayon looks like something from Indiana Jones. This is where they filmed a lot of the Cambodia scenes in Tomb Raider and when you see it, you an understand why. There is jungle all around, ancient deities everywhere and even bats sleeping in the stupas of the temples. That being said, the thousands of Cambodian tourists here to celebrate Khmer New Year (yes, it's still going) make it sooo busy. Nevertheless, the urge to commando roll as I leapt (well, it felt like I was leaping) from stairs to ledges with guns ablazing was surpressed by a sense of modesty (and lack of firearms...).
So right now we are having a rest and replenishing fluids before heading to the biggest temple of Angkor Wat about 4pm when it gets cooler. Mind you, you are still dressed in long sleeved shirts and long pants to show respect to the most sacred temple in Cambodian Hinduism and Buddhism. Right before you climb over it of course...
We're here in Siem Reap another 2 days for much more exploring - there are HUNDREDS of temples in the complex. You could spend weeks cycling around exploring on your own with just a map as your guide (to avoid the unexploded land mines that litter this area) before flying over to Vientiane for 3 more then it's home on Good Friday! Looking forward to wearing layers of clothes and brushing my teeth with tap water. Not looking forward to work... No I lie - I am looking forward to it. Just not yet...
Photos to come soon - hundreds already!!!
xox
Two kids playing in the market celebrating New Year.
A man playing 'football' (a version of hacky sack) on Khmer New Year just outside Wat Phnom.
However, time required us to move on and now we are in Siem Reap. This is the home of Angkor Wat - the temple complex most people recognise on the Cambodian flag, currency, pretty much everywhere! We went there today starting at 8am wondering why were went so early... It made sense later. Managed to see some incredible things already - the temple of Buddha heads called Bayon looks like something from Indiana Jones. This is where they filmed a lot of the Cambodia scenes in Tomb Raider and when you see it, you an understand why. There is jungle all around, ancient deities everywhere and even bats sleeping in the stupas of the temples. That being said, the thousands of Cambodian tourists here to celebrate Khmer New Year (yes, it's still going) make it sooo busy. Nevertheless, the urge to commando roll as I leapt (well, it felt like I was leaping) from stairs to ledges with guns ablazing was surpressed by a sense of modesty (and lack of firearms...).
One of the many Buddha faces at Bayon temple in Angkor Thom.
Mum and I after conquering Bayon temple.
It is also hotter here than Phnom Penh, hence the early start. With 80-odd percent humidity, we thought 37 in the capital was bad. It is getting to 42 in Siem Reap today. Mum and I got back to the hotel about 11am and were absolutely drenched in sweat. Thank god the Lorna Jane shorts were purchased as they can dry quickly!!!
So right now we are having a rest and replenishing fluids before heading to the biggest temple of Angkor Wat about 4pm when it gets cooler. Mind you, you are still dressed in long sleeved shirts and long pants to show respect to the most sacred temple in Cambodian Hinduism and Buddhism. Right before you climb over it of course...
We're here in Siem Reap another 2 days for much more exploring - there are HUNDREDS of temples in the complex. You could spend weeks cycling around exploring on your own with just a map as your guide (to avoid the unexploded land mines that litter this area) before flying over to Vientiane for 3 more then it's home on Good Friday! Looking forward to wearing layers of clothes and brushing my teeth with tap water. Not looking forward to work... No I lie - I am looking forward to it. Just not yet...
Photos to come soon - hundreds already!!!
xox
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