Blogs from Angkor, North, Cambodia, Asia - page 3

Our whole afternoon was for Angkor Wa. Noy scheduled our visit for the heat of the day after lunch because the crowds thin out then and one can actually see the temple. Still, there were lots of people, although perhaps not as densely packed as at Angkor Thom. Also, we began at the back to arrive at the front, which faces west, when the afternoon light improves the views. Alone of the 1080 temples in Cambodia, Angkor Wa faces west, possibly because a king was buried there, thus it is not a conventional temple. All others face east so the main gate greets the sun. As we approached, I could see that unlike Angkor Thom, Angkor Wa is built on three distinct levels, and the architecture is more regular. The great marvel is the second level ... read more

I refuse to leave this country without a photo of five people on one moped - I've seen it often enough, but not caught it on camera. I've captured a few fours, lots of threes, various irregular and oversize items, but no fives yet. Helen has seen a six: Mum, Dad, teenage daughter, two babies. Get in! Our guide for the rest of the Cambodia trip is Nin. He is awesome. He's a travel guide by day, teacher of disadvantaged children at night. He's been a farmer and is also a professional photographer. This means he knows all the best places to get better shots without lots of numpty tourists in the way. He's extremely passionate about his job and gets very animated as you tells you the history. Like all Cambodians of his generation he ... read more

Après une nuit rythmé au son du groupe électrogène alimentant notre chez guets house le réveil à 4H ce fait sentir, nous partons donc en Tuk-Tuk pour explorer ces "petits temples". Pour commencer la journée petit déjeuné à bases de fruit ( banane et fruit du dragon) devant un étonnant mais nuageux lever du soleil sur Angkor Wat ! Le reste de la journée ce fait dans la cadence des explorations des temples gravitant autour de Angkor Wat mais qui sont à mes yeux bien plus authentique, spirituel et naturellement calme. Par la suite retour à notre lieux de couchage après une journée bien remplis, nous choisirons avec cette nuit et avec la certitude que notre hôte australien avide de cupidité de fuir cette guest house SHLAG ( ce mot signifie nul, de mauvaise qualité, sale ... read more

As our tuk tuk driver, Verak, drops us off on Saturday he says "ok, so I see you 5 in the morning for sunrise?" We really are going against the standard approach, but we think the kids would last maybe an hour after sunrise so we tell him to hold off. A day off! We swim in the pool and go for coffee and Vegemite toast at a little Australian cafe, it's so good we go back for another coffee and lunch (Els is coping well with her molars but mum's in need of coffee). We wander through trendy and expensive shops and head out to a flash restaurant set amongst restored wooden Khmer houses for dinner. We even manage to go to bed early. At 5 am we roll out of bed, bundle sleepy children ... read more

Poetic justice. The Buddhist temple once conquered the jungle. Now the jungle is taking it back. Indiana jones or Tomb raider is how many describe this temple, which makes sense in terms of its exciting, mysterious, re-discovered qualities. But it's far more poetic and quietly moving than that. The mighty strength of the enormous trees, growing through and around the even stronger walls is exquisite! It is clearly a difficult balance between restoration, maintenance and nature. This place is shady and hung with moss and lichen, even the stone seems green lit, nature clearly is taking it back, crumbling the walls. But there's a need for humans to maintain their work, to retain its beauty, it's significance and they're doing a wonderful subtle job of it. We loved ta prohm, the carvings and temple as always ... read more