Cambodia grows on you. day by day, little by little, i find myself liking this place more and more.
we spent day one visiting Angkor Thom, Angkor Wat, Ta Prohm, Ta Keo, Thommanon, Banteay Kdei and Sra Srang. despite the mediocre lighting that was the weather, i did manage to go quite trigger happy. unfortunately, one roll of film got damaged. but alas, i try to save those of Angkor Wat.
Angkor Wat is everything the guidebooks, people, travel documentaries and tomb raider (maybe not so much this) portrays it. its splendour lies not only in its vast compound, but its whole history and grand symmetrical architecture. uniquely, its entrance lies in the west, as opposed to the orthodox east, as it is a huge tomb for Suryavarman II - the grandest king the Khmer ever knew. after the challenge of its steep stairs and vertigo-inducing heights, the peace and serenity that overwhelm is purely mystifying. orange-clad monks roam the temple walls, willing to pose for photos as travellers revel in the beauty of the surroundings. it was truly an utterly unique experience.
Ta Prohm, made famous by tomb raider, is highly relatively underestimated in its beauty. jungle tree roots cling to her infrastructure, displaying the might of the jungle, and nature, which we often forget. ruins piled around the entrances, coupled with winding trees provide wonder and humility just looking at them.
on day two, we visited Banteay Srei (known for its highly intact and pink reliefs), East Mebon, Pre Rup, Ta Som, Neak Pean, Preah Khan and Phnom Bakheng. of all these, Phnom Bakheng is my favourite. the climb on the combination of dead tree roots, mud, stones proved a sweat-breaking task, but the reward at the end of it was humbling. after climbing up the steep steps of the temple, the gusts of wind were very welcomed in the stifling cambodian humidity. the view overlooked Angkor Wat which looked somewhat peaceful and contented.
day three, today, consisted of Tonlé Sap lake, Preah Ko, Bakong and Lolei. the best adventure thus far, after Angkor Wat, would have to be the visit to the floating village on the Tonlé Sap lake. had i been an anthropologist proper, it would've been a heaven! to observe the way people live, eat and perceive their definition of community all on water - stunning. the interaction between locals and tourists (namely me, in this instance) is very amusing - smiles all around, willingness to pose for photos, some shyness, all while going about doing their daily routine. i managed to take lots and lots of photos on this mere 90min boat ride.
this is my impression and experience of Cambodia; its beauty in the people and culture is something that comforts my heart.
we spent day one visiting Angkor Thom, Angkor Wat, Ta Prohm, Ta Keo, Thommanon, Banteay Kdei and Sra Srang. despite the mediocre lighting that was the weather, i did manage to go quite trigger happy. unfortunately, one roll of film got damaged. but alas, i try to save those of Angkor Wat.
Angkor Wat is everything the guidebooks, people, travel documentaries and tomb raider (maybe not so much this) portrays it. its splendour lies not only in its vast compound, but its whole history and grand symmetrical architecture. uniquely, its entrance lies in the west, as opposed to the orthodox east, as it is a huge tomb for Suryavarman II - the grandest king the Khmer ever knew. after the challenge of its steep stairs and vertigo-inducing heights, the peace and serenity that overwhelm is purely mystifying. orange-clad monks roam the temple walls, willing to pose for photos as travellers revel in the beauty of the surroundings. it was truly an utterly unique experience.
Ta Prohm, made famous by tomb raider, is highly relatively underestimated in its beauty. jungle tree roots cling to her infrastructure, displaying the might of the jungle, and nature, which we often forget. ruins piled around the entrances, coupled with winding trees provide wonder and humility just looking at them.
on day two, we visited Banteay Srei (known for its highly intact and pink reliefs), East Mebon, Pre Rup, Ta Som, Neak Pean, Preah Khan and Phnom Bakheng. of all these, Phnom Bakheng is my favourite. the climb on the combination of dead tree roots, mud, stones proved a sweat-breaking task, but the reward at the end of it was humbling. after climbing up the steep steps of the temple, the gusts of wind were very welcomed in the stifling cambodian humidity. the view overlooked Angkor Wat which looked somewhat peaceful and contented.
day three, today, consisted of Tonlé Sap lake, Preah Ko, Bakong and Lolei. the best adventure thus far, after Angkor Wat, would have to be the visit to the floating village on the Tonlé Sap lake. had i been an anthropologist proper, it would've been a heaven! to observe the way people live, eat and perceive their definition of community all on water - stunning. the interaction between locals and tourists (namely me, in this instance) is very amusing - smiles all around, willingness to pose for photos, some shyness, all while going about doing their daily routine. i managed to take lots and lots of photos on this mere 90min boat ride.
this is my impression and experience of Cambodia; its beauty in the people and culture is something that comforts my heart.
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