Have you ever felt that instant click with something or someone? I felt this instant connection with Siem Reap. I don't know why, it just felt so natural, I felt like I've been living there for so long. Hahaha. From the moment I stepped out that morning, I knew for sure that I'm coming back. DAY 4 - SIEM REAPAugust 5 - Happy Birthday, Paolo! :)Around past 1 AM, we checked in at out hotel - Mingalar Inn (formely called Mandalay Inn). Again, we pre-booked our stay with Agoda. I found this inn through travel blogs and it didn't disappoint with its advantages - 1. Very cheap 2. Walking distance to the pub street, night market and old market 2. The hotel staffs are very accommodating and kind. They all granted our requests ;) 3. They already have packages available for the tours 4. The room is clean and good over-all 5. They have Yeo's Winter melon drink within reach (Hahaha) which happened to be my staple drink in Cambodia. I drink it like water. Hahaha. Paolo said that we have it here in the PH at Korean Marts, I am still searching for it so if you happen to see this anywhere, please let me know. Hehe. Angkor WatSo after sleeping around past 2 am, we had to wake up at 4 am to catch the sunrise at Angkor Wat. Sadly, it was raining so it was no as colorful or bright as it naturally is because of the heavy clouds, but nonetheless it was still beautiful. To be able to experience sunrise at different places is a blessing. I have a thing for sunrise and sunsets, I often take time to watch the sun rise or set to new places that I go. For me the best sunrise is still at Boracay, it's just so magical and breathtaking. We had our tour arranged by the hotel staff, we paid 20$ for the tour, which includes an English-speaking guide and Tuktuk service. From our hotel, it took around 20 mins to reach the entrance to the temple area via tuktuk. We had to pay for the entrance fee (for one whole day) of 20$,, you will have your picture taken and you'll be given an ID which will serve as your pass in all the temples. Afterwards, we went to the famous Angkor Wat, at past 5 am there were already a lot of tourists waiting for the sunrise. After the waiting for the sunrise, we started our tour of Angkor Wat with our guide, Raman. It was originally built as a Hindu temple and later on it was transformed into a Buddhist temple. The stone carvings on the walls of the temple were really impressive. It shows the history and art during the glorious years of the temple. While walking in the temple, I wonder how was it like to live in that era where the temple was in full swing and the people worship Vishnu. It was so beautiful and I can't imagine how more beautiful it was during those years. I like how this temple reflects that it stood strong despite all the changes in religion, war and years that gone by. Right after we took our photo (on right), we were laughing because it felt like we came separately and happen to see each other unexpectedly. We look like strangers in one photo. Hahaha. After this, we had better cute group photos. Full back view of Angkor Wat Every corner was photo worthy, it was so hard choosing from 500+ photos. Hahaha. #vain At the center of Angkor Wat with our tour guide, Raman :) After the Angkor Wat experience, we had to eat breakfast first since we have more temples to conquer. I opted for an all-American breakfast (since we've been eating Vietnamese food these past few days). Angkor ThomAngkor Thom or the "Great City" is the capital of the Khmer Empire. We visited a couple of temples inside. As per Raman, our guide, during the Khmer Empire this walled city was once a flourishing city. We entered through the South gate of Angkor Thom which tells a really good story about a Hindu belief, one the left side were guardian gods, while on the right side are demon gods they were holding/pulling a snake in opposite directions. The King believed that there is an equally good and bad in the Earth, it also serves as a warning for the enemies that the gods were guarding the city. Entering the south gate, you would see the four faces of Bayon. It is also reflected in most of the temples inside. This four faces in four directions represents 4 states of mind - sympathy, compassion, charity and equality. Here's a map of the Angkor Thom, for your reference. (cr to the owner) Bayon TempleThe Bayon temple is the official temple of the King during the stand, it said to be the center of the city. Again, you can see the four faces all around the temple. The sun was up and blazing at this time, but surprisingly it's still bearable. When we were about to leave, Raman gave me an idea how tourists would also take a video on that spot in slow motion making it look like the temple run game. Well, ofcourse I did it. Hahaha. Baphuon TempleIt was almost noon when we reached our second temple, usually per temple, it takes us 40 mins - 1 hour to go around. Raman would tell us the history of the temple and would answer all our questions (we had A LOT x 3 hahaha) then he would let us take photos and most of the time, he took our photos. He's really good at it! When we commended him for the good photos, he said that it was because of his experiences with the tourists, too. Also, by this time Raman, Paolo and Yiezza are already annoyed at me for asking the nth time "Is this the Angeline Jolie temple?" :)) Huhu just because I don't know how it looked like and I have never watched the movie before. Sorry guys! Hahaha. This is the tallest temple among all temples in Angkor Thom. As per Wikipedia, it is 50 meters high. At first I thought, It wasn't that high naman... Not until, I started going up in the narrow wooden ladder. I felt that my hands and feet began to sweat, without looking down, I kept going up. Just when I thought that it was already the last one, Yiezza and Paolo decided to climb up again. I was in for the full temple experience so I did, too. (Just thinking about it now, makes me sweat. Hahaha) Also, since they have a reclining Buddha on top of this temple (which Yiezza and I didn't see!!! Paolo, why didn't you tell us :( Huhu) They require our shoulders and knees covered up. On the shoulder part, I was prepared, I brought with me my cardigan while for the knees part I bought trousers earlier that morning. You could see 80% of the tourists wearing the same trousers in different colors. By this time, it was scorching hot... I was so tired and I look really haggard. When I thought it couldn't get any harder, here came the going down part. I thought I won't be able to go down :( It was really scary huhu Especially I had no choice but to look down. I had to fight my fear and I almost kissed the ground the moment I landed safe and sound. Wahahaha :)) After this, we had lunch at a nearby restaurant. I was already dead batt that time, so I wasn't able to take photos :( There is a row of Cambodian restaurants on that side of Angkor Thom. Thank God, Raman took us to a restaurant with air conditioner and wifi. This was our first Cambodian meal and I realized their food are more on the curry side. We had the famous must-try Fish Amok and Khmer Curry for lunch. I don't usually eat curry, but it was good. Ta Phrom TempleBy this time, my question is finally answered... Yes, this is the famous temple of the Tomb Raider movie. It was originally a monastery and university, then big trees started growing in the temple. These big trees didn't ruin the temple rather they blended perfectly well. It drizzle a bit during our tour but it was still great :) Our tour ended around 3 PM, we went back to our hotel, rest a little bit and freshened up. Here are our cute group photos from the temple tour <3 Apsara ShowBy 6 PM, Raman met us in the lobby of our hotel alongside with our Tuktuk driver. Our hotel arranged an Apsara show and buffet dinner for 12$ each. We went to a restaurant (which I forgot the name) and had our dinner. The international buffet was okay, but I only had skewers and potato fritters for dinner because it was so yummy!! The Apsara show is a traditional local dance from the Hindu and Buddhist mythology. Apsara is the female supernatural being, they are described as youthful, elegant and has superb dancing skills. It wasn't as grand as I imagined it to be, it was a simple cultural show. Though I couldn't properly understand the narration in English, I just enjoyed the show. Happy NightSo after the Apsara show around past 9pm, we hit the famous Pub Street!! Even though it was Thursday night, the street was pumped up with loud music and foreigners/tourists around. There are some nights you barely remember, some nights you're too sober to care and nights like this that you'll always look back. I had so much fun!! We had a really interesting dinner, then we spent the night at a bar on this famous street. We picked the bar adjacent to the famous Angkor Wat? bar. We tried the local Angkor beer and of course, my favorite tequila shots!! It was really good, we asked the waitress what brand of tequila was it, but she couldn't understand us :( Sayang! The street turned into a big dance floor when this kid who sells cigarette started dancing with the foreigners passing by and then, everyone just started dancing on the streets with the loud music from the bar. It was very spontaneous and everyone was cheering, dancing, singing along. Yiezza danced with the foreigners on the street, too bad I missed the chance :( I promise next time I had a chance, I'm going to dance with them too. What I like about this night is that it was very spontaneous and it was filled with non-stop laughter. I've never felt so light and carefree until this night. I'm glad I get to share it with two of my good friends, Yiezza and Paolo. I realized moments like this doesn't come easily, it has some kind of a perfect ingredient. It's also not everyday you get to experience this in a foreign place. Whenever I think about this night, I still have this giddy happy feeling! It's THAT good <3 I wanted my travel post to just be 3 parts, but I think this post is already too long, I'm going to post part 4 for our last day in Cambodia! :) xoxo, M
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She wonders and wandersMonica writes about her life, what she eats, what she reads and where she goes. This space is where her thoughts, experiences, memories and feelings turn into words. She's glad that she can share with you. Archives
August 2021
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