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Published: November 24th 2009
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Step aside, Great Wall. Get out of here, Yangshuo. Move down the list, Ha Long Bay. You've been demoted, Summer Palace. We have a sight that beats them all, a sight that is really too fantastic to put into words. It trumps all else we've seen in Asia, and honestly, it trumps most ancient sights I've seen anywhere else in the world. The fantastic thing is, this sight was buried in the jungle for the better part of a MILLENIUM, completely unknown to the outside world until a little French man "stumbled" upon it back in the 1800's. Wars and civil strife in the country made it inaccessible to tourists, even when restoration work had been going on for a century. But now...for the last fifteen years or so, any and all are welcome to Cambodia to see the one, the only, the incomparable...Temples of Angkor.
No, I'm not exaggerating. We have truly saved the best for last! Only one day in the massive 77-square mile complex, and I'm hooked for life. One day to convince me that there is truly nothing else like it on earth. If you are traveling to Asia and can see only one country, do
only one thing - this is it. It will blow your mind and then some.
Our day began quietly enough, waking up in time to
finally enjoy free breakfast offered by our guesthouse. Honestly, we planned on resting today and taking it easy...but where's the fun in that? Instead, we found ourselves talking to one of the hotel's drivers, Kong ("Kwan"), and speedily racing upstairs to get ready. By 10am, we were downstairs and boarding our very own private tuk-tuk, driven by Kong, who had graciously loaded a cooler full of drinks and set everything up for us beautifully. (A private tuk-tuk for the entire day here costs only $12, and you get to go wherever you want, for however long you want. Isn't that just amazing??) Our first stop was an ATM, which spit out US dollars (we find that so funny), then we were off to the ticket office for Angkor. Although 3-day passes are most popular, we figured, what the heck? We're probably only going to be here once, and what if the weather is lousy on one of those 3 days? So we splurged and bought the week-pass, even though we probably won't go every
single day, but it's nice to know we can if we want to!
On our way into the temples, a friendly Indonesian tourist on a bicycle grabbed hold of our tuk-tuk and "hitched a ride," traveling at about 35mph alongside us while we chatted for a bit. We also passed a large group of wild monkeys hanging out on the side of the road. The insects here are absolutely deafening - the high-pitch noise they emit sounds like a laser beam out of an old '50's sci-fi or something. I would love to know what little creature can make that much noise. You almost have to shout over them!
But anyway. We love it. Already.
Moments later, out of the thick trees and across a wide moat - there it was. Angkor Wat, the glittering jewel of the Angkor temples - a 12th century Hindu masterpiece crowned with five lotus-shaped spires rising nearly 200 feet off the ground. It is everything I hoped and dreamed it would be and more. I won't babble, because the photos will speak for themselves.
Over the afternoon we toured Angkor Wat, then the Buddhist complex of Angkor Thom (also 12th
century, including Bayon, Baphuon, Phimeanakas, and Terrace of the Leper King), and finally Ta Keo (10th century temple-mountain dedicated to Shiva). Amazing, amazing, and amazing. You simply have to see it to believe it! Kong was an awesome driver and guide; we'll have him all week to show us around!! I'd love to tell you more, but like I said, the myriads of photos will tell the story... so sit back and enjoy!
😊
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Tom
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Wow, what an amazing place! I’m so glad the two of you took this opportunity! Reading your blog and seeing Jeremy’s “transformation” I finely realized who he’s starting to look like; Shaggy from Scooby Doo!