For today’s post, I’d love to talk more about the exploring the relics of Angkor’s lost era. Over the years, Siem Reap has grown from a sleepy town to a highly-touristic site. It’s the once glorious temples that give the town its real charm. They’re absolutely fascinating and can be quite thrilling. During our stay at Siem Reap, we learned a few things on the fly that made our temple-exploration more fun. Here are five things we discovered about visiting ancient temples:
Learn a thing or two about Hinduism, Buddhism and the temples
After exploring the Bayon on our first evening in Siem Reap, we only realized how important it was to study the brief history of the great Khmer Empire before visiting more temples. Some knowledge on Hindu and Buddhist mythologies will help a great deal in understanding these ancient ruins. You can always hire a guide to help you understand the intricate carvings but nothing beats learning the significance of such art on your own. We took a crash course in Khmer civilization by streaming a few documentaries on Angkor Wat the night before the outing. It’s always better to be late than never!
One day is sufficient for some temple adventures
There are thousands of ruins scattered across the Angkor area and some remain undiscovered until today. That’s a mighty number to tackle at any day! If you’re an archeology enthusiast, it's wise to get a seven-day pass for $USD60. This will definitely give you ample time to explore the smaller, uncharted temple ruins buried deep in the forests. But if you have only one day to spend at Siem Reap, you’re also able to have as much fun sightseeing the temples. The must-see temples are what the locals refer to as the Big Three namely Angkor Wat, Ta Prohm and the Bayon. However, be prepared to dedicate your time from dawn till dusk to make your trip worthwhile.
During our two-day visit, we managed to explore the Terrace of the Elephants and the lesser-known Prasat Suor Prat on top of those must-see sites. One or two days should be sufficient for casual visitors because all that sightseeing (and the swarming crowd on top of all that heat) can lead to temple fatigue. A friend of mine who visited Siem Reap earlier mentioned, “Once you’ve seen one, you’ve seen it all.” Taking things one bit at a time, and in even smaller chunks, goes a long way in Angkor.
Behold the majestic Angkor Wat from the sky
If you have money to spare and enough interest, take the chopper and enjoy a sweeping view of the entire ancient city. This may cost up to a whopping $USD120 for a 20-minute ride! Nonetheless, it’s a great choice for those who are really passionate about archeology as the trip will give you an omnipresent perspective of how the temples were built and mapped out across the province.
For a cheaper alternative, you can ride the hot air balloon instead for $USD20. Despite my fear of height, N and I took the ride (it was only for a mere 10 minutes, anyway) and were able to drink in the entire view of Angkor’s terrains near sunset. Angkor Wat looks even more magnificent from the sky and the ride also offers you a spectacle of the forested landscape of Angkor and the serene countryside in the south.
Deal with the children with grace
As we were traversing the temples, a few Khmer children trailed our path and made us aware of the postcards and handmade bracelets they were selling. N couldn’t resist buying a set of postcards from a doe-eyed young girl; they were cheaper than the ones sold at the night market. Once that happened, a flock of kids came chasing after us from out of nowhere. Some even asked if they may guide us to see the temples for a few dollars.
You may love children but this situation is bound to breed unpleasantness, especially when they get all sassy and persistent. We learnt to politely say no to them and walked away without another word. But we never said no to smiling and chatting with the ones who lived in villages around the area and playing among themselves. They’re extremely adorable with that famous Cambodian smile of theirs and will gladly pose for photographs near the temples.
Stick to your travel buddies (and your guide)
Remember the time when I got lost and was separated from N in Ta Prohm? Or the time when both of us felt as if we’d gone astray in the Bayon’s dark, maze-like chambers? This could happen to anybody while sightseeing in Angkor. You may be mesmerized by the temples' surroundings or get drawn to the ornate carvings on the walls. You may even get a kick out of venturing into secret passageways Indiana Jones-style in the more cavernous temples. As much as the ambiance pulls you in, never be too adventurous for your own good. It’s always sensible to stay close to your traveling partner or buddies and most of all, your guide. Once lost, you’ll only have your instincts to rely on navigating the way out of the ruins just like in prehistoric time.
All things considered, my love for Cambodia has deepened after witnessing the deep spirituality that the ancient Angkor evokes. It’s fascinating to observe a lonely monk meditating in the core of the ruins and watch a gaggle of children playing hide-and-seek in between the old Hindu statues. The whole experience is elevating and magical at the same time. No matter what, the place remains beautiful with amazing food, history and the best thing of all, those smiles from its people that never cease.
