Day 2
On the second day, I woke up around 7 am to have a heavy breakfast as Siem Reap food is not to my liking. I probably had a whole potato or two that morning for carb :p
About 7.45 am, I met up with my tour guide at the hotel lobby. I found him from my friend's friend's fb and I remembered him from previous tour engagement from another friend of mine. His service seems to be ok based on tourist review from around the world. Anyway, my tour guide initially thought my name was a guy!
Overall, he is quite a friendly guide, having involved in the industry for the past 14 years and was previously working in Thailand. Started off with a formal handshake and off we go in his trusty red Pajero driven by his 'driver'.
Along the way we had some chat about Siem Reap etc...and the hotel is located pretty close to all the famous temple sites. The days of the month is extremely hot, even for a Malaysian.
Before heading towards our first stop, tourist are required to purchase entrance ticket for all the temple visit and have their photo taken. The charges are as below:
- One day: US$20 (use within 3 days)
- Three days : US$40 (use within a week)
- One week: US$60 (use within a month)
Most tourist opt for 3 days worth ticket as there are several temples to visit during a stay.
Our first stop was Baksei Chamkrong, a small Hindu Temple within the Angkor complex. The temple can be seen on the left side when entering Angkor Thom at the south gate.
In front of Baksei Chamkrong
The temple is quite high with steep stairs. I asked my tour guide what is the significance of these steep stairs and he told he that it is never an easy journey to reach heaven- thus the steep steps..
Not far from the temple, we head our way to the south gate of Angkor Thom.
Main attraction for the day : Bayon Temple
Interior of the complex
Next we proceed to Baphuon Temple. My tour guide forgot to informed me that it is forbidden to wear shorts to enter the temple that day. Initially I did not think there is anything interesting within the temple, but as we walked behind the temple, the famous reclining buddha is actually located inside the temple!
Baphuon Temple
Reclining Buddha
After a short history briefing, we proceed towards Terrace of Elephant. Seems a very long time ago, up to 1000 elephants gazes on this field.
Entrance to Terrace of Elephant.
As the it was a really hot day, my tour guide suggested he fetch me back to the hotel get some rest and proceed to Angkor Wat in the afternoon. Although I sound really enthusiastic, I can't really wait to have a nice cool shower at that moment.
Later in the afternoon, my tour guide picked me up and we proceed to Angkor Wat. Although it is still a hot day, I had to change to a more 'decent pants' in order to enter Angkor Wat. Not long after alighting from the 4WD, a sudden strong wind appeared and created a mini sand storm.
It rained a little after that, but it made a great difference for the day. It felt cool almost the entire afternoon.
Below is some scenic view of Angkor Wat complex:
Library - most of it is located outside the temple.
History written on the wall.
Apsara
Above Angkor Wat Complex. It's really not easy getting up to 'heaven' >.<
Monks and the wall.
Where are you going?
Near sunset time.
Setting sun
Almost sun set
The sun sets quite early in Siem Reap, depending on the season/month. On a dry season, the sun set is relatively earlier.
Day 3
As we had a full tour on the 3rd day, my tour guide and I agreed to watch the sun rise at Angkor Wat on the 4th day. We met up at the lobby at 9 am and proceed to one of my favourite temple in the tour - Ta Prohm. This is where Angeline Jolie shot Tomb Raider ;)
My my..tiny human..
An Apsara
One of Tomb Raider scenes was shot here.
Where am I?
Dinosaur?
As much as I like Ta Prohm, but a wide area is under restoration works which affects the quality of photo background. The restoration works may take up to 30 years, depending on the structure affected by the tree roots. Moving on, we proceed to the next temple - Pre Rup.
Pre Rup Temple was initially build for a King's state temple, but was halfway abandoned when the king passed away.
Pre Rup Temple
More temples along the way - Banteay Srai
Monkeys as temple guardians
Another favourite temple during my visit - Ta Som
East gopura of Ta Som Temple - Little me
Almost end of 3rd day tour- Neak Pean, a structure which not really a temple, but an ancient hospital. It has four pools that represent the 4 elements that must be kept in balance: Earth, Fire, Water and Wind. Priests could also prescribe holy water taken and purified from the pools. About 3 years ago, there was no bridge like this for tourist to visit Neak Pean.
The pool. The entire place is condoned off about 2 years ago as the structure weakened (the structure is sinking from all the tourists) . I can only take my pictures from far.
The hospital
Our last stop for the day is Phreah Khan, located not very far away from Neak Pean. There used to be a 'jetty' here, ferrying patience to Neak Pean's hospital. Over time, the jetty had collapsed but according to locals, the government is planning to rebuild a modern jetty and link Phreah Khan to Neak Pean.
View from the jetty. Mirror image.
As we walked in Phreah Khan, we chance upon this building. This is not really a library, but monks used to sit in and do their readings.
The Library
Interior complex within Phreah Khan
Old lady giving blessing
On our way back, my tour guide asked me if I wanted to sit on the hot air balloon. Its quite expensive though - USD15 for a 10-15 min ride. Since Joleen say she didn't manage to ride on it years back, I guess why not I represent her?
Yo - hoo ~
View from above. It was a dry season, most of the paddy fields dried up.
Angkor Wat from above.
From the balloon ride, we have come to end our day tour. Can't wait to see the sun rise tomorrow!
