The next day we set off at 8am. Went to one of the world's seven wonders, the Angkor Wat, with the big field which used to be a garden. Wandered thru the ancient temple, what beautiful architecture and carvings, with the mythical serpents and celestial beings.
Next we went to Angkor Thom, an ancient city. Thom means big. And to a buddhist Temple, Bayon, which is within this city. There are 54 towers with 4 faces each, making up 216 buddha/god faces.
Along the way to lunch, dropped by the elephant and the leper king terrace which used to be the platform for the king and ministers to watch games held on the field across the road.
After lunch to Ta Phrom where the temple was previously engulfed by the overgrown forest. It is amazing and incredible. My favourite place in Siem Reap. The buttress roots found its way thru the rocks, destroying the ancient structure. Can feel the energy from the trees there. Bewildering strength from the nature.
instead of gg to the faraway Artisan, we stopped by the Silverware and silk shops where the skilled workers did the handmade products. They have many skilled workers here, painters, carvers, weavers etc. Specialised skill sets are so wow.
instead of gg to the faraway Artisan, we stopped by the Silverware and silk shops where the skilled workers did the handmade products. They have many skilled workers here, painters, carvers, weavers etc. Specialised skill sets are so wow.
We then roamed abt the streets of the old market. Chilled at the blue pumpkin ice cream shop then went for Thai massage, instead of the Khmer massage which is supposedly more relaxing with cream. Prefer to have clothes on, so chose the Thai one. 6 usd for an hr, uber cheap.
Dinner at a place with lotsa flies. Urgh. So tiring to keep chasing them away. Ate quickly and retire for the night.
eap.
Woke up at 430am on the 4th day to catch the sunrise. The benefit of having the
car. Faster than the tuktuks. We overtook many on the way. Too bad.
Drizzle. Cloudy, no sunrise. Continued with exploring the Angkor Wat,
hoping to go up to the highest point since yesterday was a public hol
for the buddhists. but still it remained close. The buildings in Siem Reap
cant go high, all must be lower than angkor wat, cant build more than
65m. Stoned and enjoyed the morning peace there before heading back to the
hotel for bfast.
Then we took the van at 12usd per pax
to Phnom Penh. Preferred it to taking the bus at 13usd for the gain of an hr. I
suppose we lost the comfort of a less bumpy ride. Shrugs. The drive was once-in-a-lifetime experience. Seriously skilled, at 110km/hr. Like a road tyrant
actually. Weaving its way by overtaking many vehicles, traveling on
the other lane which is meant for vehicles heading the opposite directions. And the driver jus happily pressing the horn
to get the tuktuks or bikes out of the way. The van is like an upper
class on the road. The smaller ones got to make way for it, even tho i
think they have the right of way. The bus wont be this agile. So reached Phnom Penh city in abt 4.5 hrs and spent abt 30-45 min going thru the
streets at abt 20-40km/hr Horrendous traffic here.
Chked
into Frangipani Royal Palace and came out to walk along the riverside.
Settled in a restaurant named Bojangles. Had tom yam this time. Yummy.
Accidentally walked in wat seems like red light district. They must be
wondering why are we strolling in that street.There is the rubbish stench lingering
in the air. Dirtier than Siem R
