The first thing that most of people had in mind about Cambodia its merely just The Mighty Kingdom of Angkor Watt and The Pol Pot massacred. My impression about Siem Reap city before step down from the AirAsia morning flight from Kuala lumpur city on 24 September 2010 was a small, traditional, and serene city. But when my Tuk-Tuk (pre arrange transportation by the hostel service ) heading toward city, I was so wrong. The national High way road number 6 ( NH6) which I went through along the way to my Hostel greeted me with modern and well paved smooth road better than mine back home , as we passed the city major intersection road I was surprised by the bustling activity of local people, tourism, and various shop sprawling. Welcome to Cambodia center of tourism city. After checked in, took a bath, and had a very late brunch ( courtesy of The Golden Manggo hotel owner : Sonny cheab). We are so much ready for Siem Reap city.
Well , first day destination we heading to Angkor National Museum. Personally my comment it was charming and modern museum, if you are somewhat fall in love about history of Angkor Watt and Jayavarman VII Kingdom then you must go there and learn before go to Angkor Watt. To put in a nutshell: its provide you with knowledge and brief explanation what is Angkor Watt in sclupture, picture, and video; its not bad for 11 USD entrance fee with a bit sneaking camera action ; got to tried anyway
I am pretty sure, if you do need for more learning about Khmer history, life, and custom then you should ask your Tuk Tuk drop you to Siem Reap Cultural Village ( not far away from the International Airport, NH 6), These time you will embrace Cambodia culture, just heading to building right after the main entrance you will see a kind of madame tussaud exhibition of everything about Khmer culture and life. Start from this point, please check on the day performance schedule on flier to see what kind of show to attend. At the time I was attended Khmer Wedding custom show, acrobatic show in Chinese Kampong village, and plus a visit to Haunted Ghost Cave subject to 1 USD entrance fee. An interesting fact about ghost cave is they tried to scare visitor by expressing how is the local superstition about After life or Hell for condemned people, such as many kind of physical, mind, and mental torture that happen on them whom did bad thing on their life. It was pretty creepy for ladies. To be noticed also along the way strolling the park there is landscape that show mini version of pagoda, Angkor watt, King Palace, and etc. On the time of my time visit the village park was quiet and we as much have the park for our self. Go to said without the crowded the number of show also less. That is what I meant for low season risk. The climate on first day was cloudy and I like it. It was toward end of dry season despite I am expecting not much rain during next day of Angkor Watt journey. A package of Buffet style Dinner with Apsara Dance Show in “Kulen Resto” is everyone must have agenda in Siem Reap for special night dinner, pre booked your seat before came to ensure you secured front view to the stages, yet don’t forgot to bring your camera and check the status of battery ( personal experienced). For the first day journey of Angkor Watt. Before dawn we rushing excitedly toward Angkor Watt, although we wasn’t care anymore abt the timing but one thing for sure The sun has not rise yet. Mama Mia… we reach the entrance post and is no one there but us, Along the way as we paid the pricy ticket 40 USD for three day. We proudly thought we were the first but till we reach the very close of Angkor watt main entrance, its turned us down eventually the place was full enough. Well as you will not walk alone anyway then found good place to see sun rise is everyone agenda ; fitted yourself in brothers. After ensure that sunrise moment is not for today. We continue our journey further inside, until the backyard of Angkor watt. These times, We finally settled for a nice group of family to be shoot guessed what, A happy family of our closed genes “ Monkeys”. Got to said they pretty enjoyed became our model. For your info you can option to hire local official tour guide with fee around 12 USD per day or if you are not so into details about the history of temple you can ask your tuk tuk driver to escort you like we did at least you don’t get lost. We lucky that Pali our tuk tuk driver is willing to escort us along the way
The night is coming, where should be popular place to eat none other than Psar Chasin downtown of the city. We finally picked on one of street food near the Famous “ Pub Street “ Road. Now for dinner we settled for “Stirred Morning glory vegetable and Squid cooked with sour sauce and unexpectedly delicious Coconut Shake ( Two Thumbs said my friend Hendrik). I still can’t believed we can’t found good coconut shake in Indonesia ( by the way culinary things is not my cup of tea). Khmer Local food actually was Amok Chicken curry with either beef, fish and or chicken served in Coconut shell short to said we did try in our lunch time on the first day in Siem Reap.
Second Day of Angkor Watt journey. Next stop will be Angkor Thom. For your information, these site stretch three square kilometers enclosed by a wide moat and eight meter high wall reinforced by wide earth embankments. The most famous pagoda inside for me was Bayon Temple. Don’t forgot to take picture of the entry gate since most of us will come from south gate, you won’t miss a tower topped by four huges faces of the Benevolent Bodhisattva Lokesvara, who looks out to each cardinal direction. It was charming and splendid I should say. Bayon Temple should be main focus in Angkor Thom site in spite that Most of the statue was under construction, the signage should be easy notice once you entering the temple. To me Bayon temple landscape,relief and off course many of Bodhisattva huge topped face is the most remarkable one. We skipped the terrace of elephants and Terrace of leper king for the last day. From these point we walked toward Ta Prohm temple, is located in east barray just outside the Angkor Thom complex. It’s famous for its enormous “kapok tree” grows from the wall and terrace with their massive roots clinging and snap into the walls, framing doorways. It said that Angeline Jolie shoot one of her movie scene of Tomb Rider here. At the time my visit there were many tourist especially Japanese and China thus caused the temple a bit inconvenience. I would like to suggest you at least bought three days in a row ticket so you can skipped crowded place and schedule it other day for much less crowded time. Preah Khan temple was our last temple for the day. The temple located just in the behind the Angkor Thom Site, it said that King of JayaVarman live here while he was restoring Angkor Thom. Sacred Sword as the name of temple translates. Preah Khan actually was a second essential temple beside Angkor Watt that had a similiar impressive causeway paved with sandstone and edged by crumbling naga balustrade. It also served as essential monastery and university for considerable time. These temple had central sanctuary which contain a dome shaped of stupa ( see insert picture on the left) and located in the centre of temple as you walk through the enclosing wall and gopura you will notice the height is getting low as you walk and forced you to lowering head. It was purposely design these way as matter of showing respect . 2 USD fee paid for accidentally tour guide was where these knowledge worth for.
On third day in Cambodia we set off different path to Kbal Spean and Bantreay Srei 30 km heading northeast of the city. Obviously it was triggered by beautiful picture of Bass relief of Wishnu in the river. Well the road was tough and slippery due to early morning rain but We made it eventually. I was happy with it since I always want to hiking in mountain and valley. At the top actually not much bass relief was found but the lush of jungle view was enchanting. See the insert picture on the lef you will notice thousand of linga carved on the stoned beneath the river. Linga here represents the longevity or the simple form of human reproduction symbol. Next, we made visit to Bantreay Srei on the way back, the temple is built of fine grained or rose pink sandstone. I will say that it a bit inferior compare to the other group of temple like Angkor Thom and Watt due to it remote and outskirt location. Not much impression that I got from here due to tough journey in early morning.
On the fourth day, we decide to take free bicycle ride to to Psar Chas market at the noon to hunted some goodies and have lunch in town. Well I finally bought few apsara dance small sculpture and one Bayon art key chain. Lunch finally settled on India restoran called Samsara. The afternoon schedule to Ton Le Sap was triggered by the failed of capturing sun rise in Angkor watt. Redemption plan was set for the sunset in Ton Le Sap Lake ( the biggest fresh water lake in South East Asia). We transferred onto medium sized tourist boat heading to Floating village of kampung phlux; on that time the water level is about 4 m as a signed of the beginning of wet season. As we sat on small boat that took us into the flooding forest then I experienced how much the unique nature behavior of lake affected local people life, also I was surprised by the skills of local lady with her daughter seamlessly juggling between trees; life is great doesn’t it. After break for a while near the small temple we get to for the sunset moment. My impression is such a big lake as if like in the sea already. Well seems like the sky was cloudy, quiet and peacefull after few hours we end up losing hope and finally heading back since it getting dark already. Well that is life; we can plan and hope but thing could be different.
A night in Siem Reap city would not be complete without strolling around the night market that located next to Psar Chas. Well you can found much everything you need souvenir, fish massage, body massage, Buddha sculpture and whatsoever you just named it. Well Lucky me I got free Qi Lin sculpture as part of the bonus, thanks to my friend who bought Buddha Statue ( Not Bad for low budget traveler like me). Shopping in Asia will not complete without the art of bargaining unless you are in hurry or the goods was so preciously you can’t find it anywhere. Oh yes one thing next to Night Market you should further go to Angkor Night Market, things pretty much same but for me its more cozy
On the Fifth day, we just realize that we got 7 days in siem reap instead of 5 days. So lets make it worth instead of regretting. One notable temple just outskirt of city heading to Angkor watt is Wat Thmey temple, its famous due to the collection of approximately hundred bones and skeleton from Pol Pot dark regime time ( left insert picture). One thing about the pagoda or watt ( pagoda is refer to Chinese or Buddhism ) in Siem reap that I found very interesting were the picture of Buddha life is actually painted in ceiling of the pagoda. Different from so far I see in Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, and Ho Chi Minh. The Face of Buddha in here is affected by Khmer custom also. I went to few pagoda to name a few must visited is Watt Preah Prom Rath is should be one important pagoda in Siem Reap downtown. The place was neatly preserved, the figure of Buddha on the small ship protected by umbrella was a noticed sign you won’t be missed. The other will be Preah Ang Chorm located next to the big park and across from Cambodia king summer house palace. Further move we came to Ton Le Sap exhibition place supported by Krousar Thmey organization. The place was simple and squizzed between teacher school and five star hotel if I am not wrong. Here we got one girls speak with decent English explained to us about the history of the lake and how its important to much of Siem Reap people. Again my social alert told me that we need to buy at least post card or etc as a return favors.
Alright since we still got much time for the day we heading to town for having lunch with famous fried chicken brand called KFC. Next itinerary we cycling to Artisan D’Angkor workshop, these place is nicely architecture by French organization to served as gallery for various local art and handicraft made by deprived or disable young people. At the time we came most of worker having lunch break. The workshop divided according to the type of material of good being made such as wood, stone, etc. Other service if you interest are visiting silkworm farm, please booked your free seat to visit the silkworm workshop just along the national road number 6 heading to airport. Twice daily morning and afternoon there is nice small minibus will be pick you from and sent you back to Artisan Dangkor again. Well It was nice to see how the white worm actually produced yellow line of silk fiber then will be processed and spinning by traditional machine to produce vast of silk based purse, wallet and etc. Both of the place provide souvenir gallery for you to swap your money card. For me again the thing was pretty expensive and seems like the whole noble idea of making these place was merely profit oriented and little amount actually goes to the bottom line worker of Cambodia people.
On the evening, I am split with friend for seeing Apsara Dance performed by children from local orphanage house foundation named ACCODA. I was drop by tuk tuk around 6.30 then 15 minute later the show commenced, the place was small but can occupied by 15 people with small stages compose by wooden roof. It was a beautiful shows performed by children alone. There is three session as I remembered which is : Bamboo dancing, Mongkey dance, and Apsara Dance. Monkey dancing was awesome. Evaluation tme, for me they need proper help and support from private with government instiution to actually uplifting the show onto higher level. Apsara Dance is actually a Royal dance from Cambodian Kingdom and further preservation of its pride should be considered instead just became dinner package in restaurant to attract tourism. After the show again my lucky charming work, I got free drive to Psar Chas from Taiwanese friend.
On the sixth day in Siem Reap we back again to Angkor Watt temple to cease our last day ticket. Terrace of elephants and leper king was our focus. I changed picture goals not for landscape theme but more shoot for object focussed ( insert photo on left). Terrace of elephants was served like backyard inside the Angkor Thom area. When you climb the area you should notice much of elephants and garuda bas relief carved on the wall beneath you. Due to Heavy rain we sheltering down and take a break in food stall for lunch with instant noodle. Phnom Bakeng temple is place for tourist to watch sunset or sunrise over the Angkor Watt, we manage to the summit of the temple but again sunset was hinder but the view is nice. Is worth for the effort instead of that you can pay 10 USD for elephants ride if you wish. Sayonara Angkor Watt hopefully I got chance to came back again.
On our last day in Siem Reap we want a relax by strolling down the market area hunting for cheap and convenience goods. I bought one silk hand bag for my sister, T shirt, and Cambodia sticker. We made visit to Mcdermot Gallery in Pub Street. It was a small and cozy photograph gallery with black and white- gray color theme. we had our lunch in “ Khmer Family Restaurant” cant remember what lunch set menu was served but considerable nice as well the price. I finally found one international small book store name Monument at the edge of Pssar chas street. The collection was nice like Deepak Chopra, most of Cambodia history and interest place. I want to buy few books but the mood wasn’t there. So much to filled for the last day in Siem Reap.
Bye-bye Siem Reap City, the town and people was nice, everything was internationalize include the money itself, overall price a bit pricey but hospitality of town was worth for it. Good Job
Well
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