The Enchanting Angkor Wat

Cambodia had never caught my travel attention until I realized that it has consistently made it to the "Best Destinations" list of Trip Advisor. I read several blogs raving about this mystical heritage site but airfares to Siem Reap do not come cheap. You know how budget affects the dynamics of a trip.

So what did it for me? Cheap fare, no less! Paulo Coelho said it perfectly, "When you want something, the whole world conspires to help you achieve it." I started doing my research about Cambodia, rounding out almost all travel blogs available on the net. It turns out that Cambodia is a cheap place to visit, from accommodations to food to shopping, to practically everything! However, I won't be visiting for the purpose of shopping. All I wanted to experience was the Angkor Wat. Everything else pales in comparison.

ANGKOR WAT

This is what we came here for. Angkor Wat, a UNESCO heritage site, literally means "Temple City" in Khmer, the Cambodian language. It is the largest religious monument in the world. 

For a first-time Cambodian tourist, I learned that Angkor Wat is just one of the many temples in the complex. It just so happens that it's the largest and most imposing structure among the many temples in the area. Our hotel tuktuk driver, Vano,  suggested that we visit the site twice at different times of the day, at sunrise and sunset. We first saw its grandeur late in the afternoon on our first day.

We came back the following morning, just in time for the sunrise. These pictures show the massive crowd that gather to watch the Angkor Wat in all its glory.

Angkor Wat is beautiful at sunrise as it is at sunset. That's the thing when beauty is effortless. It does not need any embellishments to enhance it. (Hugot?)

Every wall in the Angkor Wat complex is a work of art. The intricate details remind you of the skillful hands that created it. It doesn't even look like it was made by human hands. It's almost divine. 

Bayon Temple

     Entrance to the Bayon Temple, known for its huge stone faces. An elephant ride around the Bayon      complex is recommended.

Ta Prohm

Another temple worth visiting is Ta Prohm. You might find it familiar because it appeared in movies like Angelina Jolie's Tomb Raider and Harrison Ford's Indiana Jones Temple of Doom. The crumbling towers and walls are bound by massive roots of huge trees.

Cambodia is my favorite among the trips that Dan and I have taken together. Exploring a new place is always an enriching experience. This I have to say though --- some travels make you feel that you are an outsider and a mere visiting tourist. Meaning, you're just passing through. But Cambodia has a way of making you feel that you're no different from its people. You may be a tourist but it feels like you're home. 

I will surely be back... someday. 

Cebu Pacific flies to Siem Reap every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.