Day IV: Angkor Archaeological Park
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| Ta Keo Temple |
From our Angkor Wat visit,We took a different route from the usual clockwise direction
of small circle tour, we took it counter-clockwise (was the idea of our Tuktuk
driver) from Angkor Wat(Sunrise)-Sras Srang-Bantay Kdei-Ta Prohm-Ta Keo- Angkor
Thom- Bayon- and last stop will be Phnom Bakheng (Sunset). Here’s a detailed
map to give you an idea. Click here!(Thanks Andy!)
2nd Stop: Srah Srang (Religion: Buddhist)
*A short story:
At Srah Srang grounds we were welcomed by vendors, From a kid vendor’s
(8-9years old) mouth as I remembered She said” Srah Srang is the King’s Pool”
(Weh! Di nga?)and began talking to me in her very friendly way, offering me a
bracelet for free (I didn’t take it) and invited me to drop by in their store
after our visit from Srah Srang. I said “Later”. After our photo session at
Srah Srang, we were headed to Banteay Kdei which is exactly opposite, I was called by this Kid vendor and said “
Hey Mr, you said you will drop by in our store”
I replied “ I’m going back later and we were on Hurry” and then she replied
somehow angry voice “ You promise!” and I replied “I didn’t promise! Goooodbyee! (in
a Sarcastic Way- “Patola Lang”) and I
left, but my other friend was trapped (What a Word.Sorry! Maybe it is the
Appropriate Word! Hmmpf)by one of the Vendors and bought a stuff from them (I’m
sure, Napilitan lang siya bumili!)and this Kid Annoying vendor told my
friend “ Tell Your friend that He is so
very nice” (Referring to Me). What the ….. (In fairness, they speak Good
English, Lesson Learned and Realized that I should did “Not talk to that Kid
and Pretended to be Deaf,Mute or didn’t understand what she’s saying. Hehehe!)
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| at Srah Srang- Banteay Kdei Grounds |
Moving on, I found out that Srah Srang is a landing platform
on the west edge of baray (a water reservoir) (That Liar Kid! Hehehe I Can’t get
over) and much less tourist sunrise alternative to Angkor Wat. For more Guides
to Temples, Visit this link. Very useful!
3rd Stop: Banteay Kdei (Religion: Buddhist)
*Used to be a Buddhist Monastery, a lot of deterioration and
it is undergoing a restoration project for towers, corridors and some areas are
closed to tourists. Source: Canby Publications
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4th Stop: Ta Phrom ( Religion: Buddhist)
*Also known as “Jungle Temple” and became popular from the
Movie, Tomb Raider. Very touristy Area , you have to wait for your turn just to take a picture for
a specific spot or be a photobomb anyway. Here’s a link to give you a
refresher or watch the movie Click here
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| Mala-Lara Croft |
5th Stop: Ta Keo (Religion: Hinduism)
*For me the most challenging part exploring this temple when
I was ascending and 10x when I was descending. Why? I’m Acrophobic (Fear of
Heights), Steep Stairs, No Hand Railing. I almost freaked out! How crazy steps! Watch this
video!
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| Crazy Steep Steps... |
Angkor Thom
*It was lunch time then and our tuktuk driver brought us to this
area of food stalls and souvenir shops at Angkor Thom grounds, I’m sure he got
a free meal for bringing us to that specific food stall . While waiting for our
food, we’ve met a Kid vendor (around 6-7 years old) selling us postcards. She
is very friendly, speaks good English and shared her stories. (Completely opposite
to the kid in Srah Srang. Still can’t move on Hehe).
*After our Lunch, we bought the usual souvenirs (aside from
the kids’ postcards… shirts, keychains , ref magnets and freshen up, changed
clothes(Mind the Scorching Hot Weather in Cambodia) and continue with our tour
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| "Buy for 1 Dola(Dollar), No Profit!"(Some of the words I remembered from her) |
6th Stop: Bayon Temple (Religion: Buddhist)
*Also known as the Smiling Temple, we didn’t stay that long,
just photo session and look for the other end and exited. It seems like that we
were started to have this feeling of Temple Overload(Kaumay na!. Im not an
Archaeologists!) also Bayon is just only one of the ruins of Angkor Thom and we
didn’t bother visiting the other ruins. Check this map to get some ideas how
big is Angkor Thom. Click here
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| All Smiles |
7th Stop: Phnom Bahkeng (Religion: Hinduism)
*Popular sunset location,(the last stop of everybody’s tour). Overcrowded .Walk going up the hill or
an Elephant ride worth ($20). They’re allowing a specific number of tourists up
the temple; make sure to be one of the first hundred. During that time, the
much awaited sunset brought disappointment to us tourists because the sun was
hiding and had connivance with his allies, the clouds..hehehe
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| The $20 Elephant Ride |
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| Started our Hiking Uphill |
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| Other Tourists |
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| Wow! Sunset! Booo! |
Other Information
-There are two Religions who were dominated during the Age
of Angkor: Hinduism and Buddhism
-Restoration projects are undergoing in each temple with the
partnership of these countries India (Hinduism ) and Japan (Buddhism) and etc…
-Park Admission: One Day ($20), Three Days ($40), Seven Days
($60)
-There are a lot of vendors selling souvenirs,books etc ..in
each temple/park and beggars as well.
-Our tuktuk driver was just our service, he was never a tour
guide to us. My appreciation for this booklet I got from Sokha-Komartep Express
Limousine Bus and maps from fellow blogger, mentor, Andy so we have a little
idea and information for our Angkor Archaeological Park Tour
Back to Downtown Siem Reap. Lodge. Freshen Up. Dinner(c/o
Lodge). Massage(Hotel Service). Booked Tickets to Bangkok, Thailand(c/o Lodge).
Settled our Expenses. Sleep for 3 Hours.Bus Service Pick Up by 2am
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| from Downtown Siem Reap |
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| from Angkor Thom Grounds |
By 2am, Pick Up at the Hotel. Bus Ride from Siem Reap to
Poipet.
By 6 to 630am, Exited Cambodia!
By 6 to 630am, Exited Cambodia!
“Awkunh Charran Khmer” (Thank You in Cambodian!)
Very Useful Links:
My Mentor, Andy's Travel to Cambodia. Click Here
GMA News Sandra Aguinaldo's Biyaheng Timog Silangang Asya ( Southeast Asia Travel). Click Here
CanbyPublication for brief yet informative Siem Reap Angkor
Visitor’s Guide
Cebu Pacific (Updated:Now Has
a Direct Flight to Siem Reap)
If you have questions, feel free to comment below. "Awkunh Charan"Next > Day V: Bangkok, Thailand
hi i just wanna ask whats is your bus going to bangkok having a midnight trip?
ReplyDeletedon't have any idea we just booked it through our hostel. thanks
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