FEBRUARY 19th, 2023
dKellin - d travel bug
The place is beautiful, all the Wats and palaces are beautiful. Is one of its kinds and could not found anywhere else. There is no one place I’ve seen or known to have so many historical temples around. Is a must experience place.
Unlike my other trips, this hasn’t leaved me a good impression.
Is undeniable Angkor Wat is a beauty but after or in between each visit to each of the temples you’ll experience unpleasant encounter with local children or grown-ups trying to earn something from you. Kids in Cambodia are really talented, they can speak 3 languages and fluent English and Mandarin but words utter from them are asking for your compassion in the form of USD. I am serious, they don’t accept Cambodia Rel.
I am not a person with no compassion but my heart at ache at thought of those young children are thought to use their talent in a wrong way. This scene not only happened in 1 temple but most of it.
You need to be present to buy the pass; the pass will have your face scan and printed on the pass.
Ticket – 3 days pass USD 40. It gives duration of 5 days. You can enter Angkor cities any days in these 5 days duration.
Toilets/WC around Angkors is praise, clean and free but not all are properly lighted at some of smaller temples.
Food, you wont go hungry inside Angkor wat. There are many food stalls around but mostly are centrally located. The prices are expensive, one simple dish cost at minimal 5 USD. I would suggest you to buy French bread and a can of tuna for your lunch. French bread in Cambodia is really my favourite, it has crunch crust and soft bread, I carried 4 loafs in my luggage back home.
Angkor Wat
Some fact from - wikipedia
The temple was built by the Khmer King Suryavarman II in the early 12th century in Yasodharapura (Khmer: យសោធរបុរៈ, present-day Angkor), the capital of the Khmer Empire, as his state temple and eventual mausoleum. Breaking from the Shaivism tradition of previous kings, Angkor Wat was instead dedicated to Vishnu. As the best-preserved temple at the site, it is the only one to have remained a significant religious center since its foundation – Buddhist. The temple is at the top of the high classical style of Khmer architecture. It has become a symbol of Cambodia,[1] appearing on its national flag, and it is the country's prime attraction for visitors.
Angkor Wat combines two basic plans of Khmer temple architecture: the temple mountain and the later galleried temple, based on early Dravidian Architecture, with key features such as the Jagati. It is designed to represent Mount Meru, home of the devas in Hindu mythology: within a moat and an outer wall 3.6 kilometres (2.2 mi) long are three rectangular galleries, each raised above the next. At the centre of the temple stands a quincunx of towers. Unlike most Angkorian temples, Angkor Wat is oriented to the west; scholars are divided as to the significance of this. The temple is admired for the grandeur and harmony of the architecture, its extensive bas-reliefs, and for the numerous devatas adorning its walls.
At the time (Nov 2013), entrance of the temple was in restoration work. You are not able to get the perfect photo. Restoration also seen in several temples.
We went for sunrise and there are already tons of people setting up tripod snapping around. Everyone anxiously waiting for the sun to rise.
Strategic place would be after the main entrance gate at the pond side. You are able to capture the building with reflection, with a little bit of luck (clear sky day) you’ll capture a very beautiful Angkor Wat.
This would be ideal :)
Done sunrise, off we go to explore Angkor Wat. We were told it would be more ideal to visit the palace at noon when the sun rises high up but we don’t wanna waste time and proceed to explore the place. Start at outer gallery walk around the gallery there are very intensive carving showing Ramayana and Mahabhrata epics. Historic procession and Heavens and Hells carved on the W and E parts. The classic ‘Churning of the Ocean Milk’ on the east wall.
Proceed to second layer
3rd layer pagoda. Highest level which is quite strict for entrance. Dress properly if you don’t want to deny entrance. No sleeveless, no short, scarfs are not allowed. Note also no entry to this pagoda after 5pm.
This is not one easy climb, the stairs are steep. Ensure your hands are free from carrying anything and carefully grab the railing at both sides.
What to see here:
View front 3rd level is exceptional.