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Published: September 1st 2010
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Well, I'm writting this a little late but I figured Siem Reap deserves an entry.
After coming from Saigon Vietnam we took a series of buses, stopping for a few nights in Phnom Phen. Went to Toul Sleng prison, an old school turned Khmer prison in the 70's where genocide and torture took place against people who committed 'treason' against the khmer government. Talk about buzz kill. I mean they had barbed wire fences covering the balconies just so prisoners couldn't try to commit suicide. Wow... it's incredible that this was happening less than 30 years ago. It was definitely a sombering experience but an important part of Cambodia's history. The killing fields (mass grave site for the prisoners) were also a tuk tuk ride away but we didn't get a chance to head out there. We went to various markets including the Russian market. These merchants are professionals, people. Somehow they can convince you to buy crap that you never knew you wanted until they started reducing to reasonable prices on this crap until soon half of your backpack is filled with useless crap. But nope... not me... nuh uh... I'm a brick wall. OK, I may or may
not have bought an opium pipe even though I never have nor do I ever plan on smoking opium. Anyways, we only spent a couple nights and then it was time to head to Siem Reap.
And what an epic conclussion to our adventure. This is what I've been waiting for this entire trip. We bought the week long pass to the Angkor temples. We met up with Kayla again, who already had a hotel room waiting for us and a personal tuk tuk driver (Vutha, whom Kayla plans on marrying and bringing back to America) arranged for the week.
We actually couldn't have asked for a better driver. He also suggested places we should go and also suprised us with snacks (bugs & snake) and jewelry. What a charmer. He took us to a traditional Khmer restraunt which was delicious. But not recommended if you are a strict vegetarian. Luckily i'm a vegetarian with flaws and I can pretend that there isn't some sort of meat in the broth.
Anyways, I won't write about all of the temples considering... well, there were a lot of temples. We watched the sunset over Phnom Bakheng on the first
day... just like everyone else. Very crowded. And it wasn't that epic of a sunset. But still beautiful considering it was our first taste of Angkor. The next day we went to a few smaller temples like Prasat Kravan, Sras Srang, and Banteay Kdei. And then there was Ta Prohm. AMAZING. One of the more popular temples due to it's epic tree take-over and the oh so famous photo opportunities, this was probably one of my favorites.
The following day we went to Ta Keo, Thommanom, Ta Nei which were also fairly small. Day 3 was what pretty much everyone who comes to Angkor does at least once: watch the sunrise over Angkor Wat. Although the sunrise itself wasn't what I had hoped in terms of reds, yellows, and purples. But still was breathtaking. I mean it was Angkor freakin Wat. Apparently I was dressed like the Antichrist (or should I say Antishiva? hmm) and wasn't allowed to enter the towers to the central shrine seeing as I was wearing shorts and a t-shirt... give me a break it was 95 degrees! But I understand, I just wish I would have known in advance. Anyways, following day we went to
Angkor Thom, including Bayon. Which was my absolute favorite. So much detail in the structures and were preserved so well. It was gorgeous. So gorgeous we even went 2 seperate days. We also went to Phimeanakas and the elephant terrace which are within Angkor Thom. Then Neak Pean, Ta Som, and East Mebon, finishing up central Angkor. Our final day we drove out something like 30 kilometers to Banteay Srei and Kbal Spean. Banteay Srei was a temple dedicated to shiva and ultimately very different from the other temples seeing as it was built from sandstone so it has a more orange-ish color to it. Kbal Spean was also gorgeous and was about a 3km hike to get to the ruins/waterfall. It isn't much of a temple anymore (let alone if it ever was) but moreso ruins with a river over them. Again I'll use my favorite word of Angkor: EPIC. We dunked under the waterfall to cool off and Kayla slipped, cracking open her chin. To get stitches, or not to get stitches?... that is the question. We opted not to, considering we were flying out in 2 days.
Anyways our last days in Cambodia, we spent going
to the mine museum, another silk factory, and lounging on a beach in some hammocks. Cambodia was awesome even though our time dwindled pretty fast leaving us only about 10 days in Cambodia between Siem Reap and Phnom Phen. Oh and Kayla found her future husband.
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