OK, I think there is a lot of misunderstanding of the term Angkor Wat as people thought it meant all the monuments in Angkor. Obviously if you follow my blog choronologically, you will know by now that Angkor Wat is only one of the many many monuments or temples. Like Tomb Raider was filmed mostly in Ta Prohm and a little bit in Angkor Wat and Phnom Bakheng. Having said that, Angkor Wat is still like the mother of all temples in Angkor Region just by the sheer size of it. It took 25,000 workers and 30 years to complete this!
The best time to view the majestic Angkor Wat is during sunrise and the time is 5.30am (yes, 5.30am). OK, I’m still snoring away in the bed. So, we decided to go to all the other temples and round back to Angkor Wat in the evening for the sunset. But I didn’t witness the sunset in Angkor Wat (OK, that’s an entirely different story) but the point is I’m finally in Angkor Wat!
Angkor Wat is a freaking big complex, surrounded by moat that is even wider than that at Angkor Thom. It is believed to be the biggest religious structure in the world and this is like built more than 10 centuries ago! As you walk in through the long causeway nearing the complex itself, you will see throngs of photographers complete with tripod on the left side. OK, this got to be the photo spot for Angkor Wat. There you go.
The best time to view the majestic Angkor Wat is during sunrise and the time is 5.30am (yes, 5.30am). OK, I’m still snoring away in the bed. So, we decided to go to all the other temples and round back to Angkor Wat in the evening for the sunset. But I didn’t witness the sunset in Angkor Wat (OK, that’s an entirely different story) but the point is I’m finally in Angkor Wat!
Angkor Wat is a freaking big complex, surrounded by moat that is even wider than that at Angkor Thom. It is believed to be the biggest religious structure in the world and this is like built more than 10 centuries ago! As you walk in through the long causeway nearing the complex itself, you will see throngs of photographers complete with tripod on the left side. OK, this got to be the photo spot for Angkor Wat. There you go.
From outside, Angkor Wat gave you an awe-inspiring feeling. But once inside … hmmm … let’s just see the picture and you can judge for yourself. |
| Perfect for hide and seek |
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| It really does mean 'ruins' |
OK, I think photographers would really like this place. It’s like a maze with many column walkways and I believe on a good sunny day it will provide many fantastic good picture with beautiful lightings in the ruin; but to normal tourist, I sort of feel that it is overated. Either that or the Cambodian government should put in more effort to restore the place to at least half of its once grandeur.
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| One of the many column walkways |
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| One of the lotus tower from up close. Can you spot me at the bottom? |
One of the main feature of Angkor Wat is its extensive base relief covering the entire wall of the temple. It is about 1km in total length and tell the history of Angkor. 1km ... really, I didn’t have the time or much energy left to go thru it all. Come to think of it, now I know why people need to spend like at least half a day here. Anyway, we just pick half the gallery and walk clockwise (which is the wrong way) from the north.
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| Victory of Vishnu over Asuras |
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| Churning of the sea of milk (This is the 54 gods) |
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| Heaven and hell gallery |
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| Pandavas & Kauravas |
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| Trying to take a dramatic effect portrait to show how exhausted I am |
Finally to end the day with a high note, we got to make a decision where to complete our journey at sunset. Somehow witnessing sunrise and sunset seems to be a very important exercise to do in Angkor. Since we couldn’t wake up for sunrise, the sunset is something we cannot miss. As the weather was not exactly good after a 1 hour downpour we figured if we hang around in Angkor Wat, there will not be any sunset to see as it is still very cloudy. So we proceed to the next and final monument that Dina told us to go which is Phnom Bakheng.
Located at the hill nearing Angkor Thom and about 1km away from Angkor Wat, this temple is situated on the hilltop. So we gotta sort of hike our way up there thru the middle of the jungle. In the beginning I was kind of worried as there seems to be just the 2 of us and the sky is getting darker. But after we reached the summit and saw the surprisingly impressive temple, we are in the company of about maybe 30 other tourists.
Located at the hill nearing Angkor Thom and about 1km away from Angkor Wat, this temple is situated on the hilltop. So we gotta sort of hike our way up there thru the middle of the jungle. In the beginning I was kind of worried as there seems to be just the 2 of us and the sky is getting darker. But after we reached the summit and saw the surprisingly impressive temple, we are in the company of about maybe 30 other tourists.
And so we climb our way up the top of Phnom Bakheng.
Phnom Bakheng was also filmed in Tomb Raider where the helicopter drops off Angelina Jolie when she first arrived
As 5pm approaches, we suddenly see groups and groups of tourist ascending the hilltop temple. By the time the sun begins to set which is about 5.30pm, we have more than 300 tourists standing on the rooftop of Phnom Bakheng!
And by the time the sun is gone, there are still tourist rushing up. Too bad, so this is what they have missed ...
Ok, it's not a fantastic sunset view, I've seen better. But after a whole day templing and added in the climbing to the hilltop and further climbing up the temple (advice: people with weak ankle shouldn't try) and with the company of more than 300 fellow ruin travellers, the sunset has provided me a beautiful finale to my journey in Angkor.Location: Siem Reap, Cambodia
Next, Final pointers on Siem Reap
