When I think of Cambodia, first place that comes to mind is - ANGKOR WAT!
-08 June 2009,Siem Reap,Cambodia with Ate Cielo & Gwen-
From Ho Chi Minh,Vietnam, we bought tickets for a coach transfer going to Cambodia (Ho Chi Mimh to Phnom Penh then Phnom Penh to Siem Reap). We also arranged an Angkor Wat tour for us 3 in Sinh Cafe in Vietnam. The tour package costs USD15/pax, minimum of 5 persons. Since we're only 3, we paid for USD75 to get it.
We were expecting that it will be an exclusive tour for us as we already paid for the whole package but to our dismay, there were 4 other tourists in the van (who only bought the ticket for the tour in Cambodia for USD15/pax). Lesson learned: we should have arranged the trip in Siem Reap and it would have been cheaper. Well, the more the merrier - let's go on with the tour!
Stop! Before you are allowed in Angkor Wat, you will have to pay USD20 for a day tour pass. There's a small building which serves as their ticket counter wherein you will be taken a picture that will be printed in your pass (wow,personalized!:)
Morning destination- Angkor Thom. We entered through the East gate. Walking,you will see a vast estate, with majestic temple ruins,giant trees and a lot of tourists.
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| going inside - Gwen (center) together with the rest of the crowd |
Inside was Ta Phrom Temple. It has been more famous because one of the scene in Angelina Jolie's Lara Croft-Tomb Raider was taken there.
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| The site where Tomb Raider scene was taken |
Angkor Thom was the last and most enduring capital city of the Khmer empire.At the centre of the city is the state's temple - the Bayon.The Bayon is a well-known and richly decorated Khmer temple at Angkor in Cambodia. Built in the late 12th century or early 13th century as the official state temple of the Mahayana Buddhist King Jayavarman VII, the Bayon stands at the centre of Jayavarman's capital, Angkor Thom.The Bayon's most distinctive feature is the multitude of serene and massive stone faces on the many towers which jut out from the upper terrace and cluster around its central peak.
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| Bayon |
The most notable earlier temples within the city are the former state temple of Baphuon, and Phimeanakas, which was incorporated into the Royal Palace.The Baphuon is a temple at Angkor, Cambodia. It is located in Angkor Thom, northwest of the Bayon.
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| Baphuon Temple |
Phimeanakas is a Hindu temple built at the end of the 10th century.
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| Phimeanakas Temple |
We exited through Angkor Thom's South Gate which is quite a view as well.We paused for lunch break before continuing the tour to the most awaited temple.
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| Angkor Thom's South Gate entrance |
Lunch was great, we ate at BBQ Suki Resto which serves Shabu-shabu/sukiyaki style.
And since we've re-charged already, its time for a quick change in outfit and back to the the main event- Angkor Wat!
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| Angkor Wat Facade |
Upon seeing Angkor Wat, we we're awed with the great view it is offering. You will really feel a certain kind of happiness that you have come to see one of the world's wonder -and so we wander around :)
Angkor Wat is a temple complex at Angkor, Cambodia, built for the king Suryavarman II in the early 12th century as his state temple and capital city. As the best-preserved temple at the site, it is the only one to have remained a significant religious centre since its foundation – first Hindu, dedicated to the god Vishnu, then Buddhist. It is the world's largest religious building.
Angkor Wat, means "City Temple". Angkor meaning capital or city and Wat is the Khmer word for temple. Prior to this time the temple was known as Preah Pisnulok.
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| Angkor Wat |
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| the group tour & a friend of our tourmate |
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| im so excited & i just cant hide it |
I will surely love to go back in Angkor Wat!
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