Cambodian Countryside & Angkor Wat
Angkor Wat: one of the most well-known, photographed, and explored historical sights in Asia, if not the world. The complex definitely lived up to its expectation from sunrise to middle-of-the-day 95-degree Fahrenheit views. Would it be nice if the area wasn’t so covered in large trees that a breeze could get through? Absolutely. But then pictures wouldn’t look as magical so I’ll take the puddles of sweat that left me as I tuk tuk’d and plodded my way around a silk farm, the Cambodian War Museum, and fifteen (15) different temples in just over two (2) days. I chose to catch my sleep at a countryside homestay to get away from the city routine I had been in and from a recommendation through friends I had met up in Hanoi, Vietnam. I'm glad they clued me in on this one because it gave a real sense of what it's like living in Cambodia. The family and kids were all incredibly sweet, genuine, friendly, and as welcoming as could be. They were all learning to speak English - and were pretty good already if I have to judge - which made the stay that much more enjoyable. Hearing some of the family's stories about going through the awful Khmer regime brutalities was heartbreaking, but Cambodians now celebrate each day as if tomorrow isn't given, which is a great model to follow I think. The other thing I could change was that I could have more time around them as that was definitely a portion of this trip I'll remember for awhile.
Cambodian Homestay Sunset
As for the temples and ruins, I don’t think any description I could attempt to give could describe the site as a whole because the temples and ruins varied so much between each, so I’ll just post a lot of pictures and hope I can get the captions right for which temple was which. The order that I saw them in is as follows...
1) Artisans Angkor Silk Farm
2) Siem Reap War Museum
3) Angkor Wat
4) Ta Prohm
5) Banteay Kdei
6) Pre Rup
7) East Mabon
8) Ta Som
9) Neak Pean
10) Preah Khan
11) The Bayon
12) Baksei Chamkrong
13) Angkor Thom/Elephant Terraces/Royal Temple/Terrace of the Leper King
14) Baphuon
15) Preah Palilay
16) Banteay Srei
17) Banteay Samre
If one lesson was learned from exploring Angkor Wat though, it’s that Mother Nature will always win if you give her time…Enjoy!
1) Artisans Angkor Silk Farm
2) Siem Reap War Museum
3) Angkor Wat
4) Ta Prohm
5) Banteay Kdei
6) Pre Rup
7) East Mabon
8) Ta Som
9) Neak Pean
10) Preah Khan
11) The Bayon
12) Baksei Chamkrong
13) Angkor Thom/Elephant Terraces/Royal Temple/Terrace of the Leper King
14) Baphuon
15) Preah Palilay
16) Banteay Srei
17) Banteay Samre
If one lesson was learned from exploring Angkor Wat though, it’s that Mother Nature will always win if you give her time…Enjoy!
Angkor Wat
Ta Prohm
Preah Palilay
East Mebon
Terrace of the Elephants
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