Go, Miguel ,Go!: Angkor Archaeological Park

Day IV: Angkor Archaeological Park

Ta Keo Temple

Day O-I :Ho Chi Minh/ Mekong Delta Tour, Vietnam

Day II : Cu Chi/ HCM City Walking Tour, Vietnam

Day III- IV: Siem Reap/ Angkor Wat,Cambodia

Day IV: Angkor Archaeological Park, Cambodia

Day V: Bangkok, Thailand

Day VI: Floating Market/ Bangkok, Thailand

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!)

2^nd 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!)

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

4^th 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

Mala-Lara Croft

5^th 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!

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

"Buy for 1 Dola(Dollar), No Profit!"(Some of the words I remembered from her)

6^th 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

All Smiles

7^th 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

The $20 Elephant Ride

Started our Hiking Uphill

Other Tourists

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