Angkor Wat is not the first but the last temple that we visited in Angkor Archeological Park. Why did I post about it first? Er..because it started with 'A'? Hahahahah... =_____=
Angkor (Name of the City) Wat (Temple), is one of the 'World's Seven Wonders' during my time (1990s) which I don't understand how it gets into the chart.
History Summary : Build based on Hinduism which later converted into Buddhism. Other than that is beyond my limitation. All I can tell is that it is build by some powerful King at that time to show how prosper and powerful the King is.
We used the uncommon entrance to Angkor Wat, the path that is less traveled. We need to pass though that derelict building for something amazing. That guy in front of us is our Tour Guide, Mr. Reaksa.
So do you actually need a Tour Guide there? I would say :-
'Yes' for Angkor! Especially if you did not do your 'homework' before stepping into Angkor.
The Tour Guide is like your 'Walking Audio Guide'. You can request for a Tour Guide that speaks in certain language. According to Reaksa, they currently have 12 languages (Eg: English, Mandarin, Japanese, Korean, French, etc). I think all the registered Tour Guides 'graduated' from the same 'school'. They actually tell the same story and the only difference is its delivered in different languages. Trust me, you need a 'Walking Audio Guide' there. Otherwise you would probably ended up like nut staring blankly at those Almost-Falling-Apart ruins.
My suggestion if you are going for a 3-Days passes : Get a Tour Guide on the 1st day. Explore by your own on the 2nd and 3rd day. It's kinda rush to cover so many places in a day and you would probably be over-exhausted for the rest.
P/S : Get a registered Tour Guide!
'No No' for other tourist areas around Siem Reap.
Since you can reach any places around the town with Tuk Tuk, it's
definitely more economical and flexible. Anyway, there aren't much
attraction around the town that the tour guide can tell you.
Come back to Angkor......
Of course there must be some surprises waiting for us there. The Angkor Wat!
There are five entrances to the temple. Four with staircases, the one at the center is without. It's not incomplete but was built on purpose. The entrance at the middle of the building is used by the King who usually rides on the elephant. So that explained why no staircase is required.
The entrance with proper staircase.
Along the first level of the temple, you'll find carvings on the
perimeter wall which are very well preserved. You may see that the
carvings are shinny-like, all thanks to visitors that rubbed on them so
often. Probably these carvings are really meant for devotees to touch. I
mean, it looked more attractive with the bronze effect isn't?
These carvings are here for a reason. It tells the Hinduism belief at that time. The above show 'bad peoples' are being thrown to the 'hell' where they'll be tortured.
This carving tells the 'myth' about the god's and devil's collaboration to obtain the 'Holy Water for Immortality'. Wrapping the snake around the God, the gods and devils pull the snake on each side creating a spinning effect so that they could drill into the water.
Other than Hinduism, it also have some portion of the walls that tells about the 'Religion War'
Part of the stone carving that dropped out from Angkor Wat.
Though most of the carvings have been damaged by mother nature, the whole structure remains very strong. Can you imagine building four pools on the third floors?
Very steep steps that lead to another level of the temple.
Steep steps are difficult to climb convey the meaning that the path to the god is not easy. There's a believe that only devoted people will be able to make it to the top. (You can probably imagine how you'll look like climbing a superb steep staircase with both hands and legs). Don't be over-worried, a proper steel staircase is ready on the other side of the temple for visitors though it is still quite steep.
The magnificent structure on its own worth a million word.
I have to make it clear that I am not using any super camera! Its just the building that is too beautiful to believe. As the weather is getting cloudy and started to drizzle, the ambient around the temple becomes more mysterious.
I thought I'd captured a postcard like effect picture here but Kent said "Nope. No feel at all". Grrr.....
It's an add-on that we spotted a monk walking around the temple!
Another common angle of Angkor Wat with its reflection on the pond. As you may notice, there's a green canopy somewhere on the right hand side. That's where the conservation/preservation work that's on-going at the temple.
Group photos with my Colleagues/Friends/Best-est travel mates!
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| Brosche @ Angkor Wat |
Angkor Wat. A place that you must visit once in a lifetime.
