Cambodia: Walk to flourished Civilisation

While wandering inside the Angkor temple, we met two friendly Cambodia monks few times in such a large temple. One of them is English speaking, by the name of Lorn Bunthouen. We chatted a while, and photographed with them and they also tell us what are the “must-see” temples in Angkor from the map. He keeps abreast with modern technology too, asking me to send him the photos we took to his email account upon my return.



This is another picture taken on Day 3. The local children were sharing their breakfast by the lake side. A kid was attracted by the beauty of the Angkor temple and making few eye connections to it. I believe we are somehow connected, for that reason we were there to witness this once flourished and collapsed empire.


At dawn on day 3, we woke up and left hotel as early as 5.30AM for sunrise in Angkor Wat. As warned by our travel coach, we shouldn’t be expecting high chances to see sunrise in May - the start of raining season. So, we proceed with the least hope, should there is any sun rise by chance, we are so much pampered and lucky then. Although we did not get to see the sun rise eventually, we made the best use of our effort to get up early to enjoy the morning breeze by the lake side in front of the temple. Many other people were enjoying their breakfast and hot coffee, posing for the camera, waiting for miracle and some just proceed with the next item in their itinerary.


These loving dancer couples are taking rest in the Bayon temple. The lady dancer is giving the man dancer a massage after their performance. A traditional Apsara dance show is an absolute must for the visitor to Cambodia.

Photo courtesy from Kok Sheng: Me and the "spoiled" guy Jason posing by the window of Angkor Wat temple. Black & Whilte gives a different feel.

Angkor Wat at night. The temple is open at night for tourist to make night visit at USD 25 on top on the day’s pass you have purchased. We were told that it is mainly visited by the Korean tourists for the night session. The lightened up Angkor Wat at night gives an entirely different feel to the beholders. It’s just like the legendary Apsara – the supernatural beings who appear as young women of great beauty and elegance who are proficient in the art of dancing and able to change their shapes at will.

Children selling souvenirs everywhere. Surprisingly, these children command good simple conversational English although do not formally go to school. Some can even speak few foreign languages, amazing!

Ta Prohm – another must see temple in the Angkor. It is only partially cleared of jungle overgrowth and intentionally left partially unrestored. Massive fig and silk-cotton trees grow from the temple towers and corridors giving some of the best “Tree in Temple” photo opportunity. Here, we witnessed the power of the nature.


I don’t recall the temple name where I had this child picture taken. I guess it’s Banteay Kdei. It’s the next temple we paid our visit to after the jungle temple, Ta Phrom. She is kind and generous enough for me to photograph her. I like her for being natural in front of the camera. No camera shy showed.


I particularly like this picture; it gives the feel of having a natural photo framing. The girl looked outside the window with anxiety as if searching for some answers. But the King Jayavarma resembled Buddha face give a great contrast, with calm and ever smiling face… “Look not from outside, the answer always lies within.”


On our way to Tonle Sap(The Great Lake), many boats were grounded on the river bed. Raining season just started and the water has not reached the sufficient level to provide a smooth travel along the river. Pictured our hired transportation coach cum guide helping t0 move the stucked boat.

I would like give a credit here to our coach, Sotheara (or Theara). He is a nice and honest man. He is well versed in English, explaining every single detail to your questions. Our trip wouldn’t be nice and pleasant without his guide. This man supported himself to complete a university degree in English Literature; volunteering teaching the local children in order to help them for better future. He has been urging donor for some simple stationary like pencil, eraser and sharpener to the students. We will buy some for the students should we have friends visiting Siem Reap. You may contact me if you would like to engage his service touring you around the Angkorian temples.

The Apsara – Also known as the heavenly nymphs are carved at the Angkor Thom and Angkor Wat’s main temple complex, decorating or safe guarding the temples. We watched the traditional Apsara dancing in the Jasmine Angkor Restaurant on our first day in Siem Reap. We did not know what “Apsara” meant, and often mispronounced it as “Aspara”. Only when we have visited few temples and saw the real carved image of them, we got the pronunciation correct.