5D4N in Cambodia Feb 2014 : Siem Reap
Angkor literally
means
"Darkness Capital City".
Before I started on my second day, let's talk about the night before..
I am sure everybody has experienced blackout in their own country. Little did I know I would experience blackout in Cambodia on our very first night.
In the middle of the night, I was woken up by my bf saying our room power was tripped off and wanting to go lobby to find out what happened since the phone was also not working as well. I was like "okok you go down ok I wanna sleep".. Then he used a soft voice "do you REALLY want to stay here alone with no lights???" Unwillingly, I pull myself out of bed with swears filling up my head and walked with my eyes semi closed. I woke up instantly and cold shiver crept behind my back after we saw total darkness when we opened our door to the long corridor.
That was the first time I was so thankful that iphone flash light is so strong and bright. Our room was at third floor. Both of us walked down the stairs slowly and in silence probably because we were both too scared to say anything. Finally, we saw lighted lamps when we reached the lobby and also the hotel staff. Not only our hotel only, it was the whole Siem Reap blackout. *comeletmeclapforyou*
Knowing it was indeed a blackout, we both happily stomped up the stairs loudly and went to bed peacefully.
It was a short night as we needed to be ready for our Angkor Wat sunrise tour at 5.30am T.T!
Our 5.30am faces
Another tip for this Angkor Wat sunrise tour - bring a super good torch light (iphone flash light might not be good enough). After we have bought our admission passes and entered the Angkor Archaeological Park, our tour guide led us walk a super long walkway with river at both side without any barriers (you may see the walkway when we exit the park), climb a couple of narrow steps and walk on uneven surfaces. With no streetlight and 5.30am moonlight, you practically could see nothing in front of you.
We all were extremely disappointed with our sunrise tour.... There was no sun at our sight at all T.T What we saw was the sky slowly turned brighter and the outline of the five lotus-like towers became clearer.
And we have to fight for a good spot with all these tourists.... #alsonosunrisefightforwhat
gloomy morning..
We then gave up the wait for the sunrise and started venturing into the temple.
Most statue you see are either with broken heads or missing eyes. Long before time, these missing parts were made of gems or precious stones until they were being stolen.
#jumpshoteverywhere
lol looks like iPad commercial not?
Then we saw people are posing on the stairs so we decided to have similar shots..
lol now think of it, we should do a "L O V E" right!!
I think our tour guide gave up telling us history stories about the temple (probably only me la), he started to focused more on being a good photographer and kept asking us to go pose more weird weird positions.
#behindthecamera
Perfect spot for double chinsss..
Special reminder from my friend that please do not anyhow take joss stick from anyone, otherwise you will be obligated to make a donation. The above picture is a decent place for tourists to make donation where the money goes to the temple. You might not know where the money will go to at other shady places.
有没有发光?? LOL
First half of Valentine Day at Angkor Wat ^.^
This is the long walkway we walked in the morning from entrance to Angkor Wat temple.
End of Angkor Wat temple tour.. now going to have breakfast and then heading to the rest of the temples ruins!
Angkor Thom (Big Angkor)
Angkor Thom is a royal city surrounded by walls with Bayon temple in the center and face-towers at each entrance accompanying by the demons and gods stone figures at the sides.
A serpent spreads its nine heads in the shape of a fan at the beginning of the walkway.
This is the South Gate - usually it is the first stop of the tour.
Bayon
Bayon - located in the center of the city of Angkor Thom. Over 2000 large faces carved on the 54 tower give this temple its majestic character.
The characteristics of this faces - a broad forehead, downcast eyes, wild nostrils, thick lips that curl upwards slightly at the ends-combine to reflect the famous 'Smile of Angkor'.
This could be a great shot without the guy standing there...
Baphuon Temple
Baphuon temple was the poorest constructed of all the temples in Angkor. Different from other temple ruins, Baphuon is a single sanctuary temple-mountain situated on a high base. A long sandstone elevated bridge which supported by three rows of short columns connects to the main temple directly.
still need to climb the stairs leh.. lol
Wooden stairs was constructed to prevent anymore damages to the temple.
The access to the summit is closed for restoration due to several collapses.
Top down view
Terrace of the Elephants
Terrace of Elephants is an impressive and long terrace wall with carved elephants on them.
Banteay Kdei
Also known as "Citadel of Monks' cells" where had been occupied by monks at various intervals over the centuries till 1960s.
I can not differentiate which picture is the end of Banteay Kdei and start of Ta Prohm as they both are quite near each other and frankly speaking they all look pretty much the same to me......
Ta Prohm
Ta Prohm has been left pretty much the same condition in which it was found except for clearing of path for visitors and structural strengthening to prevent further deterioration.
The combination of photogenic and atmospheric feel of trees growing out of the ruins and the jungle surroundings have made it one of Angkor's most popular temples. UNESCO also marked Ta Prohm on the World Heritage List in 1992. This probably one of the reasons that Tomb Raider was filmed at this place.
Trees growing out of the ruins are the most distinctive feature of Ta Prohm.
Below is the most famous and photogenic spot in Ta Prohm.
Our temple tour lasted for 8 hours - started from 5.30am to 1.30pm.. We were so hungry + exhausted + 8 hours under hot sun that all of us fell asleep on the tuk tuk ride back to hotel.
Thank You Angkor Pearl Hotel for being so sweet! I like how my towels being folded into various animal or flower shapes lol
My hotel lunch! My pineapple rice really is pineapple rice!! hahaha is delicious de lor!
Angkor Archaeological Park
Admission Fee: Passes are sold in one-day (U$20), three days (U$40) and seven days (U$60) that must be used on consecutive days.
Tuk Tuk + tour guide for sunrise tour = U$55
Visiting hours: 5am - 6pm
Angkor Wat closes at 6pm. Angkor pass will be checked upon each park entry and at major temples.
