The Dream

June 26th 2014
We join the throngs hurrying along excitedly towards the orange glow emanating from beyond the silhouetted ruins of Angkor Wat to the east. The energy is palpable as it's certain the day is about to open with a spectacular curtain raiser, feeling like a pilgrimage as the throngs narrow in order to a cross a bridge over the moat, heightening the contact, the chatter, the excitement. Entering throug ... read more

Asia » Cambodia » North » Angkor

Most Cambodians consider themselves to be Khmers, whose Angkor Empire extended over much of Southeast Asia and reached its zenith between the 10th and 13th centuries. Subsequently, attacks by the Thai and Cham (from present-day Vietnam) weakened the ... ... read more

26th June 2014

taracloud
Tara Cloud

Serving the fantasy
Fine analysis of tourists' snap and share mentality and of our manufactured, edited adventurers' images. So often, I've seen people miss the whole experience because their vision is filtered through the tiny camera lens. And though I love snapping photos myself, I prefer to travel in the rainy, off-season to avoid these elbowing experiences. Great to have the kids there to give perspective--what are we doing?!

27th June 2014

aspiringnomad
Jason

What are we doing?!
Serving the fantasy - to escape the reality.

26th June 2014

Dancing Dave
David Hooper

Embrace the moment
Our paths nearly crossed at Siem Reap you may recall...but we weren't prepared to rise for the dawn service at Angkor Wat...nor stay in a hotel to watch planes overhead! As a result we missed your fantastic opening pic...preferring to be first at Ta Prohm as the mists rose in the jungle before the tourist rush...preferring to run to beat the cavalcade of Koreans into Bayon and Bantreay Srei. Tourism is about lines...queues...planning to choose your position. Yet when you get the balance right the joy is palpable. And when that tourist stands in front of everyone to hog the money shot...don't get me started...get out of the way!!!

27th June 2014

aspiringnomad
Jason

Finding the right balance.
The crowds tend to move in a fairly predictable pattern. Before the sun had even risen above the horizon that morning at Angkor, we were backing out and on our way to Ta Prohm. We were the first ones there that morning, though certainly not the only ones. By 8am we were back to the best hotel in Siem Reap for breakfast, a nap, a swim in the best pool in Asia and back out again to Bayon for sunset.

3rd July 2014

sokphal
non-member comment

wonderful
angkor wat is very good for travelling ,

7th July 2014

MargAndRob
Marg and Rob Humphrey

The Dream
Very aptly named for a great pic.

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