#9 Adventurous trip to Siem Reap (part 1)
Angkor Wat is associated to Cambodia by default ! Of course, it is also in Cambodia’s flag. In any conversation prior flying to Cambodia, I was told, reminded and also recommended to go visit Angkor Wat. As, it is truly a marvelous heritage place to visit. Just to imagine this was built in 11–12th century makes it a long lasting wonder on earth !
So, #Team Smile Cambodia had planned this trip to Angkor Wat (located in Siem Reap province) a month ahead. We discussed and booked same flight and hotel and assumed we were all set for our trip! Only wish, if we did know the weekend we planned our trip (Feb 17) was the one of the busiest week due to Chinese New Year! The team was in for a surprise adventure !
Earlier in the week most of my friends received booking cancellations from hotel, others who did not confirmed the hotel. But, when they landed there had a surprise redirects to a chain of the hotel’s sister properties. Sincere thanks to Katja who dare to commute between hotels for more than 4 hours Friday mid-night to find a ‘place to stay’ for a night ! We had also arranged a tour guide ‘Jimmy’ from ‘happy-tours’ picked us up from Airport and this new hotel to start on our trip in a well decorated and comfortable mini van.
Now, our trip in Siem Reap. Siem Reap is northwest of Phenom Penh and was the capital of Khemer Empire. It is a resort town filled with ancient temple ruins and modern dining facilities. Jimmy — our tour guide was very prompt to tell about the relevant history of tried his best to explain the stories behind it!
Our first stop was Bayon temple — which is also known as ‘Face Temple’. There are 54 towers resembling Mount Meru with 4 faces on each tower of Buddha or also Avalokiteshwara. This is truly an amazing place as you go higher you see more faces and is incredible !! The pictures would not do justice, but below are few of my favorite clicks!
We took a good lunch break at a local restaurant which had this message painted on the wall — “ Our English may not be good but is well decorated with our smiles”. After lunch, we left for ‘Ta Prohm’ which was more like a Buddhist University during the 11 and 12th century. After filming of the movie ‘Tomb Rider’ this temple is very well recognized.
With intense heat and sun, we were almost ready to view sunset at Angkor Wat, but we changed destination to view sunset to Pre Rup. Pre Rup considered to be the temple of Lord Shiva
After a long day, we all went to the heaven restaurant in Siem Reap for our dinner. This place we had booked in advance as they have limited seating. Its a training school for young Cambodians and restaurant with good food and vegetarian options too!!
http://www.havencambodia.com/en/welcome/social
Next section, I shall write about day 2 #Angkor Wat so as to keep it a short and easy read!
Thank you for your time to read!
