Temples of Angkor — for TravelSherpa
Where do I start… Angkor has been on my bucket-list for years… I did book a trip about 9 years ago (and paid for it) but my g/f (now wife) had unplanned holidays so we decided to go to California instead, she was not keen on Cambodia (yet so she said); culture shock was her concern as she had only been to Europe to date.
California was great and since we have been on 10 odd overseas trips but still Cambodia and the Rough Guides book that sat on our bookshelf for all those years was taunting me in wonder.
9 years, a few trips to Japan, the US, Europe, Bali, NZ etc I had finally planned to go to the temples of Angkor again and 100% this time! We had a son now (2 yr old) so I had planned the trip with my sister. I booked a flight with Jetstar on a shiny new 787 about 4 months out from the scheduled go date. 2 weeks before my sister decided she was not going anymore (she had reasons so all good) BUT again Cambodia was being pulled away… should I fly solo? I was a little hesitant at first, not sure why, maybe of the unknown; I hadn’t taken a solo trip to a south-east asian country for 12 odd years — f-it I am going; nothing could stop me this time I had to go; now or never.
I flew out early am from Melbourne to Singapore then onto Siem Reap after a night in Singa where I had a couple of $20 beers (thanks Singapore).
Arriving in Siem Reap was super simple, you complete the visa on arrival (tip: take a passport photo with you), fill in the entry card then your in; jump on a tuk-tuk and you are on your way. My hotel arranged a tuk-tuk and driver for me but there is plenty around and should only cost you USD$5 or so; be nice with your money though as the locals earn very little so what you can give them will go a LONG way (you don’t need a new iPhone anyway).
After a nights rest my first day of touring was the ‘small/mini’ tour route which is really not small (or mini) at all! (could be done over 2 days at a slower pace) BUT what can I say WOW! the temples are as impressive as you could imagine — but not just the temples; the atmosphere and the people make the experience; so genuine and large, the place feels big, the jungle and trees driving into Angkor feel BIG, it makes you appreciate everything; the age and scale of the temples & complexes is a shock to the system in the best and simplest of ways; it makes you realise how short our lifespan really is and what generations way, way before us achieved with so much less, the detail, the time, the focus, the commitment, the determination.
Day 2 was the ‘grand’ tour route which ended up taking half a day, you travel further but see less temples and they are the not as well known temples yet still absolutely amazing.
Day 3 was rest & Day 4 was Banteay Srei (do it),
Day 5 repeat Angkor Wat.
Check out the routes http://www.cambodia-travel.com/angkor/circuits.htm
Siem Reap / Angkor Travel Tips: take a passport photo for your VISA, take mosquito repellent, take a hat and sun-cream, book the hotel tuk-tuk if you can but use the local drivers to get around, check out the night market in town, grab a $1 beer or two on pub street (then maybe avoid it), take a walk around the back streets and side streets to see how the locals live, if you travel in the wet season visit Angkor in the late afternoon with the aim to get caught in the rain; you may have the whole place to yourself like I was lucky enough to.
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Photos from the trip were taken on an iPhone 6 (it was just easier to carry!). Check out more on Flickr at https://www.flickr.com/photos/ncole458/albums/72157669736932420
