Siem Reap, Cambodia

[jwsk]

Since Airasia introduced their flight to Siem Reap last year, there is a huge in flux of Malaysian tourists there. I have been planning to see Angkor Wat quite a while back (with my friends) but the pretty high airfare with MAS held us back. With Airasia, I managed to get RM0 to and fro and all I had to pay was the airport tax and fuel surcharge which was too good a deal to be passed.

I was there with my parents, gf, aunts, uncle and Jenny for 6 days. Too bad that Adrian had to miss this trip to be in San Francisco. A trip with parents can somewhat be "challenging" but not this time. Both my parents were surprisingly very energectic, sporting and fun to be with. Bottom line - "An incredible adventure in an ancient land and a heartbreaking insight to hardships of the Cambodian people"

Pics:
1. Now Everyone Can Fly - for FREE!!! (almost free )
2. A group picture
3. We have to show the pass to enter the temple sections. A 3 day pass is an exorbitant USD40 per person.
4. You can ride on one of these elephants for USD15 per person. Just for your knowledge, a guard at the Angkor earns about USD15 per month while a higher ranking police officer earns only USD20 per month.
5. The South Gate where you can see the face of Jayavarman VII.

[jwsk]

6. My father during his first few attempts with a digital camera which again was surprisingly quite good! Although we were forced to pose for a few minutes while he switches on the camera, aim, focus, reaim, refocus, accidentally switches off the camera, switch it on back again, reaim, refocus and snap! (I am just exegerating on the whole but you get the point! Haha...)
7. A close up on the sculpture of Jayavarman VII's face
8. This is how advance transportation is over there. Just kidding. People there are too poor to own any actually. Hence, this is somewhat their bus service which helps the local commute from inside of the temples to town and vice versa.
9. One of the favourite "Tourist" spots where you can take a picture while facing Jayavarman. Pretty cool huh?
10. Sometimes I wonder how she does it! My mum...

[angel1011]

wow.... cool where can you get the pass for entering Angkor Wat?

[jwsk]

11. Some intricate carvings on the walls of Angkor. It is amazing how one can carve in such details way back in those days.
12. One of the many Buddha statues found in the temples across Cambodia.
13. And if you think this is a simple thing to do... think again!
14. The ladies love shopping. The ratio is like 1/2 hour - Angkor Thom, 2 hours - shopping at the stalls opposite Angkor Thom. Haha!
15. Stalls like this are everywhere.

[jwsk]

16. Entrance to one of the Wats
17. Bayon - one of the most interesting temples in Angkor Thom. You can find the four faces of Jayavarman VII over here.
18. It's no easy task climbing up the temples. Stairways are steep, high and narrow. Getting to the top is one thing, climbing down is another altogether! Maybe the 1st day, you'd be climbing up all these temples. By the 3rd day, you'd probably just be walking around the temples...
19. It's hot out here! The sun is extremely harsh in the afternoon and so we are always hiding out in shades. I will prepare the camera, shout 'Ready' and all of them will quickly take their place under the hot sun, snap the photo and immediately run back to the shaded area!
20. We tried this noodle and it is delicious although he uses a lot of Ajinomoto... 2 bowls for 1 USD

[jwsk]

21. Family photo in front of Angkor Wat
22. In the wee hours of the morning at Angkor Wat
23. Sunrise at Angkor Wat. We have to leave the guesthouse as early as 5.30am so that we can witness the sunrise.
24. You can find sea coconut trees everywhere. I love this shot a lot as it shows how cool the place is in the morning in contrast to after the sun comes out.
25. The pathway to Angkor Wat

[jwsk]

26. Tourists flock this place in the morning to see the sunrise.
27. If you have extra dough to spare, you can enjoy the place by sitting in a horse carriage like this.
28. Nice feeling in the morning
29. Cambodian Tuk Tuk is quite different from the ones you find in Thailand
30. Despite the amount of humans you find thronging the temples, Angkor Wat still provides that mystic feeling.

[jwsk]

Originally Posted by angel1011

wow.... cool where can you get the pass for entering Angkor Wat?

Visitors have to purchase their pass before entering a gateway that will lead you to all the temples. Tickets are sold in 1 day, 3 days or 7 days passes. A photo is required for 3 and 7 day passes but they will quickly snap one for you for free.

[peaz]

Wow.. nice nice! And post more too!!!

[elton]

Nice place wow.. Show more picture on the local food if you have taken any??