People asked the question why and we're like why not? So, despite everyones suspicions we decided to go to a place which had a fascinating but at the same time really outrageous history.
We planned a roughly plan for the upcoming 18 days and went through it once more before we took off one sunny Monday afternoon. At first we wanted to see the hidden temples of Angkor and to see them we headed to Siem Reap. To the city where the world largest religious monument where once built.
To get to the temples we hired a Tuk Tuk driver for the day and bought ourselves entrance tickets or Angkor-Passes how they're actually called in the ticket office. And because we're staying in the city for 4 nights we had allowed us a plenty of time to see all the most famous spots in a good peaceful pace. We took the 3-day passes which costed $62 apiece. The last thing to do was to check that our knees and shoulders were covered (for respectable manners) before they stamped our tickets at the gate.
The first days at temples were a bit cloudy and even after all efforts we couldn't see any amazing sunset or sunrise. But there was so much more to see than just those things. Such as the gigantic Angkor Wat, Ta Prohm the temple surrounded by jungle, the corridors in Preah Khan and many more.
And all these things I'm going to tell up here are going to be only a short glimpses about our trip. You can ask me anything you want, but I'm not writing down every single details, timetables, names or prices. It would take days so I don't have time to do so.
And for those who yet don't know I've a head of Buddha on my sleeve. And even though I've had it for a few years now I had never thought that it would get me in to situations like this. More or less in abroad! To a situation where I'd have to hide it from the others just because it might be disrespectful for them. For their culture and religion. And yes I've to admit that it felt a little awkward, expecially when we saw some monks.. at least I tried to cover "it" for a second and wear some t-shirts or scarfs everytime possible. "This is me, take it or leave it. I'm here on a holiday, not to violate your belief".
So, luckily in Cambodia I only needed to cover my skin when visiting the temples just like any other woman in there. The only problem happened when we're in Thailand where it was almost (kinda) illegal to have Buddha tattoos (specially the heads). You could see the bans in here and there, but because we noticed the very first signs at the airport we had no choise than "smuggle" my dear piece of art through the passport controls and keep it hidden the while being in Bangkok. "This is me, take it or leave it. I'm here only for a few days with a friend of mine, I want no harm".
We planned a roughly plan for the upcoming 18 days and went through it once more before we took off one sunny Monday afternoon. At first we wanted to see the hidden temples of Angkor and to see them we headed to Siem Reap. To the city where the world largest religious monument where once built.
All glory comes from daring to begin.
- Eugene F. Ware
To get to the temples we hired a Tuk Tuk driver for the day and bought ourselves entrance tickets or Angkor-Passes how they're actually called in the ticket office. And because we're staying in the city for 4 nights we had allowed us a plenty of time to see all the most famous spots in a good peaceful pace. We took the 3-day passes which costed $62 apiece. The last thing to do was to check that our knees and shoulders were covered (for respectable manners) before they stamped our tickets at the gate.
Views from our (private) pool. The hotel itself located in a little calmer area far enough from the Pub Streets fuss.
The first days at temples were a bit cloudy and even after all efforts we couldn't see any amazing sunset or sunrise. But there was so much more to see than just those things. Such as the gigantic Angkor Wat, Ta Prohm the temple surrounded by jungle, the corridors in Preah Khan and many more.
And all these things I'm going to tell up here are going to be only a short glimpses about our trip. You can ask me anything you want, but I'm not writing down every single details, timetables, names or prices. It would take days so I don't have time to do so.
The temples were well hidden in the jungle and because it wasn't yet a dry season, we got see water in some of the basins and moats.
Waiting for the sunrise at 5am with few other tourist at Angkor Wat.
The only thing missing at the moat of Angkor Thom was crocodiles.
All in all the temples were definitely worth seeing and the city of Siem Reap was nice. I had some of my favorite dishes in there and it was more likely to get food with glass noodles over there than any other places we visited. Like we afterwards learned, most of the restaurants where we tend to eat offered only "yellow" egg noodles which I can't eat, unfortunately. In those cases I just chose some rice dish and it was completely fine.
Ruins at Preah Khan.
And for those who yet don't know I've a head of Buddha on my sleeve. And even though I've had it for a few years now I had never thought that it would get me in to situations like this. More or less in abroad! To a situation where I'd have to hide it from the others just because it might be disrespectful for them. For their culture and religion. And yes I've to admit that it felt a little awkward, expecially when we saw some monks.. at least I tried to cover "it" for a second and wear some t-shirts or scarfs everytime possible. "This is me, take it or leave it. I'm here on a holiday, not to violate your belief".
Some familiar faces at Bayon.
So, luckily in Cambodia I only needed to cover my skin when visiting the temples just like any other woman in there. The only problem happened when we're in Thailand where it was almost (kinda) illegal to have Buddha tattoos (specially the heads). You could see the bans in here and there, but because we noticed the very first signs at the airport we had no choise than "smuggle" my dear piece of art through the passport controls and keep it hidden the while being in Bangkok. "This is me, take it or leave it. I'm here only for a few days with a friend of mine, I want no harm".
People forget years and remember moments.
- Ann Beattie
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