Touring Siem Reap, Cambodia!

I decided to blog on something more light-hearted. ‘Cos I kinda miss the kids and the village! :3

Anyway, it was my first time at Cambodia! After spending 12 days at the village, it was time for some fun!

Recreation began on the 24th of May! Travelled to the city of Siem Reap, checked in at our hotel, took a rest before we set out again!

Our first destination was to one of the temples! Temples are one of the most commonly sighted buildings over in Cambodia, as it is a pretty religious country! I really like majestic-looking temples! Admire the architecture very much!

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It isn’t a very huge one but I love the roof. Very traditional! Look below for the interiors!

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The upper part and ceiling of the temple is fully painted with the story of Buddha.

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&a really huge statue of Buddha!

 

Next up, was the floating village, where we took a pretty long boat ride along the Tonle Sap Lake!

Some fun fact: Tonle Sap is the most prominent feature on the map of Cambodia in the wet season, and also one of the largest freshwater lakes in Asia!

 

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These were the views I had along the river! Nothing exactly fancy/special, I feel. But still it was a joy on board looking at the scenery!

& Then we reached one of the floating village – a tourist spot, where there were local merchandises sold on board, etc.

 

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There were kids/families on those sampan boats/basins that came near the village to ask for money! So those documentaries you see on TV depicting kids in basins asking for $ is real. However they are very scary because once you give one kid, everyone would come and beg for $ as well. Notice the python they’re carrying? Its actually for photo-taking with the tourists; but definitely not me! I would appreciate if they stay miles away from me.

 

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Photo-taking at the upper deck of the village..

 

Before another long ride back!

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Very pretty harbor eh!

& That was Tonle Sap, and the floating village…!

That was the end of the adventure on day one!

Day two started off as a disappointment. :(

We intended to watch the sunrise at Angkor Wat, but it turned out to be a cloudy day and even drizzled while we made our way around the temple! Sucha wet blanket! Woke up extremely early, left the hotel at 530am, full of anticipation, but ended up there was no sun! >:(

I’m sure everyone has heard of Angkor Wat right! Its a wonder and one of the most famous world heritage site in Cambodia, Siem Reap! Its like a must-visit or else you can almost say you haven’t been to Cambodia!

But the tickets were pretty expensive! It costs US$ 20! And they give you a pass with your photo taken. lol. The camera is of those web cam quality, explains why i look so white!

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Oh ya the ticket is a pass to a few of the temples in Siem Reap.. Considering its a world heritage site, I guess the $20 is worth spending?

 

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Angkor Wat from afar!

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My bunny and myself!

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Picturesque. I love this!!

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One with my bunny!

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My awesome friends! :))))

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It ain’t easy getting up the steps (& COMING DOWN!) because they’re really steep!!

Camwhore attempt #1 and #2 fail! :(

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Finally #3. Okay la acceptable. Though not perfect! My face got cut off!

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:D

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We’ve got nothing better to do – act ‘cool’.

 

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all the ancient stone temples! interior of Angkor Wat!

 

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Exterior!

Next temple we went to was a temple where the movie Tomb Raider was filmed! (I have absolutely no idea what the movie was about… but yeah I heard there’s Angelina Jolie!)

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More stone buildings..

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& GIGANTIC trees! If you can make it out, this is the root of one huge gigantic tree. & Its our tour guide there! :D

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Another huge tree with goldish colour roots/trunks! Prettier irl.

Didn’t take much photos here, not even one with the gigantic trees. Because I was having ‘high tide’ then. SO WANNA PEEE that I didn’t have any mood. So just a few photos for memento!

The gateway to yet another temple..

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super steep, i swear!

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Love this! :D

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The guys. hahahaha.

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This temple was undergoing some maintenance I think, so we couldn’t go in!

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Found a tree with a hole.. hehheheh.

 

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Close up shot of the stone built temples. Aren’t you amazed by how all these individual stones of varying shapes and sizes are stacked together to make a building so stable and beautiful? :)))

Up next is the Smiling Buddha temple!

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Can you see resemblance of a sleeping Buddha? This is really ART! :)))

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My bunny and I again!

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The temples are all undergoing maintenance..

Thats all for temples on day two!

We went for not-very-awesome Cambodian massage at US$10. Not exactly worth the money since i’ve already said its not very awesome.. :p

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Here’s us in our massage gowns! lol.

& in the night, it was free and easy! shopping and eating! of which i’ve captured zero pictures on. heehe. alright i’ll be back again soon!

Can’t wait to show y’all the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, Cambodia! :D

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