Siem Reap and Angkor Wat, Cambodia

Ever am I astounded at humanity’s power to create, at nature’s power to destroy. The temples at Angkor Wat in Cambodia are proof a thousand times over. Sprouting from the jungle, these ancient Buddhist and Hindu temples are a sight to behold made all the more impressive by the great trees sprouting from their walls and towers.

I arrived four days past at Siem Riep Intl airport, fresh from the city. In short order I found my hostel, Popular Guest House, and soon settled in. The streets are filled with touters crying “tuk-tuk for you, sir?”, children hawking homemade bracelets and postcards (not homemade), and resteraunteers attempting bribing you with “cold beer”.

As it was already late, my visit to the temples would have to wait until the following day. That night I grabbed some local food (surprisingly mild), a few beers, and sojourned to bed. The next morning we rented bikes and made our way to the temples.

Pictures cannot do it justice. Coming from the backside I saw the “smaller” temples first. It only takes about an hour to walk through them. The temples are in various states of disrepair, but impress all the more for it. Trees, massive hundred foot tall trees sprout from the walls and bricks of the temples. Buddha statues are still worshiped in many of the temples, and come with the accompanying accouterment: candles, incense, and silk wrappings.

The earliest temples were built in honor of Vishnu and Shiva; Shiva Lingas are still visible in many places today. In the 12th century King Jayavarman VII converted his entire kingdom to Buddhism and built the Bayon, one of the largest temples. The earliest temples date back to the 9th century. Angkor Wat itself was built in the 12th century.

Visiting the temples comes with a special bonus, tropical jungle heat. In the interest of saving money, we rented bikes to visit the temples. Don’t worry; they’re only a 15km ride away… and an additional 2-3km between each temple. It makes for a long, hot day – completely worth the suffering.

In one day I visited many of the lesser temples, in two I visited most of them in adequately. I hope in three I will be able to pay proper homage to each and every temple. (or some of them at any rate). I’ve yet to spend my third day among them.

My initial impression of Cambodia is excellent. The people are charming, humorous, and genuine. The children, I admit, are obnoxious; they doggedly attempt to sell you something you don’t want despite repeated negative responses.

If you’re ever going to get caught in a monsoon, I suggest you do it on your way back from the temples at Angkor, riding a bike after a long hot day in the sun. And when I say a monsoon, I mean a monsoon. Pouring, torrential rains accompanied by the full force and power of thunder and lightning. In seconds I was wet, in minutes I was underwater. An hour later I returned to my hostel, dripping and grinning.

I hope to have another update soon; my adventures in Siem Riep are not yet at a close. Up next, cooking classes and more. And yes, the new pictures are of the temples and surrounds.