Day 1-3: Siem Reap
Since we have booked our accommodation through the net before we arrived, we had a free airport pick-up and were taken straight to Bou Savy Guesthouse where we stayed for 2 nights. At USD5 per person, it was such a good bargain since the rooms were spacious and clean with own bathrooms, satellite TV and inclusive of breakfast. The downside was, we were stuck with the same driver who picked us up from the airport (his name was Bovan) throughout the stay, who was the slowest driver I've ever met...he didn't even went past 40km/hr, not even once!
Anyway, after checking-in, we went to visit Tonle Sap, which is the largest freshwater lake in South East Asia, a journey which took as about 1/2 hour by car from where we were staying (it would take much shorter time if we had a 'normal' driver!)
Tonle Sap from the sky
The first half of the lake especially where we boarded the boat was very dirty but it got cleaner as we moved away.
Business as usual
From Tonle sap, we hit the city centre for a late lunch and some shoppings.
Where the shopping madness started. Who said guys hate shopping? They can shop till they drop!
Supposed to go to Angkor Wat for sunset after that but it was raining so we went to Angkor Wat Miniature instead and that was a bad move... You should give it a miss!
The miniature
The next morning, we started the day early and headed to Angkor Wat with our moody driver, Bovan. We started with Bayon where we 'befriended' a local police guide who was more than happy to show us around. He also 'took charge' of my camera and for about 1/2 hour or so, I became the 'victim' of his clever photography tricks.
Bayon
Lingam in Bayon
One of the photo tricks.. Oh, I was so impressed! (not)
From Bayon, we moved on to Preah Khan. The temple was built for King Jayavarman VII in the late 12th century on the site of Jayavarman VII's victory over the invading Chams in 1181. As you can see from the next photo, the temple is hardly restored and has been taken over by nature, which nevertheless, adds to the beauty of the ruined temple.
Yours truly at Preah Khan
From Preah Khan, we wanted to go straight to Ta Prohm first but our moody driver complained of hunger instead and dropped us at Angkor Wat so that he could get lunch nearby. Grrrr...
Yours truly in front of Angkor Wat (please excuse the pose!)
Personally to me, Angkor Wat was a huge disappointment. It was just a huge temple complex but nothing much in it, unlike Bayon, Preah Khan or even Ta Prohm. So, after a couple of hours in the complex (and after getting soaked by sudden bouts of rain), off we went to Ta Prohm.
Ta Prohm
As the final stop, we climbed up Bakheng Hill to view the sunset but sadly, the weather was not on our side that evening. So, tired and hungry, we left the city of Angkor, went back to the city and had TWO rounds of dinner at the same cham restaurant that we went on the first day. The owner couldn't contained his smile looking at the amount of food that we consumed that night! Before bidding goodbye to Siem Reap, we had another walk-a-round in the city and even checked out its lovely (but slightly expensive) night market.
The night market
Next stop: Phnom Penh.
More photos of Siem Reap and the city of Angkor can be found here.
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