Home » Cambodia » Angkor What? Angkor Wat!

At last! Jeff and I had reached the apex of our journey, Siem Reap, home to the famous Angkor Wat. Among all the places to go in Southeast Asia, visiting Angkor Wat was at the top of my to-see list. Angkor Wat lived up to all my expectations with its beauty and grandeur. Others may disagree with my opinion, in fact I am sure many do, due to the influx of tourists and expectations too high. I guess Jeff and I timed it right, meeting little crowds and felt as if we were the few lucky people to wander in and around these temples. Angkor Wat was spectacular. Definitely ranks up there, if not surpassing the temples of Ayutthaya, the Vatican, and the temples of Kyoto.

Angkor What? Angkor Wat!

Casey Lary
2007-04-21 23:36:46

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we should not have been able to do the things we were if they intend to preserve these temples. If they do not start preserving them more properly and the number of tourists that come continues to increase each year, then there won't be much left to see in the coming years. We finished early today since we had gotten up so early. By this time, we were a little templed-out. That afternoon we visited Jane and Evania at their very expensive hotel and swam in their very nice pool- good to have friends in high places.

That night was our last in Siem Reap. We met up with the Kiwis (aussies were sick), the Canadians, and some more Hiroshima JETs, Tiffany, Dave, and their new friend Bob. Tonight we congregated at the Happy Pizza Restaurant. The 'happy' referring to the nice 'herbs' they add to their pizza which makes it taste oh soooo good. At first we thought it was a dud, and then a half an hour later found ourselves happier than ever. No trip is complete to Siem Reap without visiting the bar Angkor What? Jane and Evania started the dance party and we all slurped down 'death buckets' of whiskey, Redbull, and coke. That definitely put some hair on our chests. I found myself stumbling home at 3 AM- a very long and very enjoyable day.

On the last day Jeff and I decided we had enough temples. We woke up late, turned on the TV and the Rose Bowl was on!!! The dungeon may have not been the cleanest place we had ever stayed, but they had cable- $7 well spent. Other travelers would think nothing of this, yet for Jeff and I this was almost as exciting as the temples (well maaaybe not...). After that Jeff and I snuck into Jane and Evania's hotel and used their pool. Brought me back to my days sneaking into Tenaya Lodge in Yosemite. It was great to lie out next to the pool. I must admit, there was an element of guilt while at their hotel. In Siem Reap there is money. Yet you go ten kilometers outside of the city it is poor poor poor. So many visitors (partially including ourselves) come to Cambodia and see Angkor, and take no notice of the people or real culture outside of Siem Reap. One night in one of the expensive hotels is more money than some families see in 3 months. That honestly disgusts me, and makes me think of our dungeon as a palace- it did have concrete walls which in my opinion is a step up from the reeds. Although very charming, Siem Reap is a city of extreme and slightly disturbing contrast between wealth and poverty.

After perusing the town market and getting massages, it was time to head out to the airport. Earlier I mentioned we did not think the influx of hotels was too bad in Siem Reap. Headed out to the airport we finally understood the horror stories of the five star hotels. It was absolutely disgusting. It felt like the strip in Vegas, Cambodia-style: one large hotel after the other. I was saddened to see this, as tourism is at the cusp of taking over Siem Reap. Too look at the brightside- along with the tourists and western influence, these hotels were bringing money and jobs into Cambodia- something it desperately needs. Second, these hotels were in the outskirts of the city- therefore preserving the charm of the center and miles from the heart of Angkor Wat.

A short, much more relaxed one-hour flight later (in comparison to Mr. Toad's Wild Bus Ride), we arrived in Phnom Penh with the Aussies. Like on New Years, this was only a short layover before heading out early to Sihanoukville to take in some much needed beach time.

All I can say is: Angkor Wat- WOW!