Cambodia - Day 1 and 2

Finally I have some time to write about my Cambodia trip. Wouldn’t say that it was the best trip ever, (I was very sick when I left Singapore and it showed bad at Malaysian checkpoint) but its sure was awe-inspiring and an eyeopener. We went to Siem Reap and Phnom Penh (the capital) over the 5 days. Here is a brief account of my experiences.

Our first stop in Cambodia was Siem Reap a small town where everything is within walking distance. It is the primary access point to the Angkor Archelogical Park which is about 6 Km from Siem Reap city centre. Angkor Archelogical Park is home to 1000 tear old Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom temples.

I was actually impressed by the airport which looked like a mini holiday resort. It was surprisingly clean and efficient (after bad experience at Phuket airport earlier this year, I had really low expectations from this one). What was more surprising was the man wth my name on a placard. I had booked a hotel in advance but I didn’t imagine then actually giving us a free pickup from the airport. But the mystery unfolded when he told us about his taxi service for taking us around Siem Reap for the next 2 days and booked us in for USD 60!!!

Anyways, we embarked on our tour to the Angkot Thom and Angkor Wat temples. The driver took us through the Angkor Thom gates to our first temple – Bayon Temple. Known for being the most grand among all the Angkor Thom temples, Bayon has 200 giant faces carved across 54 tower. These uniqutous monsterous faces have a subtle almost ironic smile which intrigues the viewer.

Nest destination was Baphoun temple much of which has collapsed. It is a Siva temple which I found very weird as Angkor Thom is supposed to be dedicated to Buddha. I would love to read about this connection. Thereafter we wandered in the Terrace of Elephants and King Leper.

Thereafter the driver brought us to Angkor Wat temple – grand and majestic and beautiful and awe-inspiringAnd we were to return to this on Day 2. I will describe more later …

We did not enter the enter the temple as it was dark already and we decided to return next morning. We went back to the hotel room and freshed up after all the dust/heat in Siem Reap. We went around the old market with all the tuk-tuk guys pestering us all around. And I just happened to ask one of the for a day trip to the rest of the temples – offered me a price of USD 15 and we said goodbye to our current 60-dollar-driver.

Day 2 – The day started at 5:00 am when we left for view of sunrise at Angkor Wat.. Arrived there within 15 minutes. We watched the sun rising and ornating the Angkor Wat temple as it stands with brilliance and glory. Angkor Wat - an architectural masterpiece - epitome of culture and ancient civilization at its peak. As the sun rises, we walked through the entrance towards the main edifice.

It is all surreal. It takes me some place. I can only imagine the monks walking with me at the break of dawn to offer their early morning prayers. I can almost hear their chants and see the glow on their faces that illuminates the temple walls. Its all dream-like. The main temple structure, unfazed by the passage of time – 1000 years – still perfect in its composition, balance, proportion, symmetry and art. One has to see it to feel it.

To be continued …