Got our photos taken on the pass when we looked like zombies. Continued on with our journey. Finally reached what we think is the entrance of Angkor Wat. Scores of carts selling hot drinks and buns gathered near the entrance. Pitch dark. I took out my little torch light which I had prepared well in advance, which always came as a rescue everywhere i go. I found that many people started to trail behind me since i now carry the light. You are welcome guys, no need to thank me haha!
I swear i never see skyline like this before. Totally clear and starry. Like u trying to squeeze so many so many stars into a small piece of sky that it appeared cramped. U hardly had any space to put in another star. Brilliant sky. U can never see this in Singapore.
We managed to find what we thought is an ideal spot (terrace near the entrance) for taking the photograph of Angkor Wat in the sunrise. We found out later that the best spot is actually in front of the ponds, but thats beside the point. We were so proud of ourselves we refuse to venture further. It was still pretty early, only 5am. At the rate it is going, sunrise will not come until 630am i think. In fact it only came at 7 plus.
Once the eyes got use to the darkness, you can make out the outline of the distinct 3 towers of Angkor Wat. There should be 5, but most photos will show 3. We just sat down quietly. Occasionally one of two or few tourists from u-noe-where trying to destroy the silence by their high pitch decibel noise but otherwise it was ok.
It is at this time i realise that there was this guide explaining a lot of things to the angmo sitting next to me. I can't make how how he looked like but the explanation by the guide was so interesting that, it helped me to pass time. It was quite a treat to have stories being told while waiting for the sun to rise. During their conversation pause, I gathered my courage and asked the guy next to me: hi, how much does ur guide cost? he promptly answered, US25 a day and it is really worth it. Then I asked him, is it ok if me and my friend EK share a guide with you? Then he said: cost sharing basis? sure, let me ask the guide. Apparently the guide is ok with three of us splitting his cost. So there we are, we were adopted by a guide finally!! As the sky lighten up, I finally know how he looks like. His name is Nick, came from Australia and now on his vacation, also a photograph enthusiast who carry Nikon D90. Also his first day in Siem Reap. He only have two days unlike us. So today marked the beginning of OUR tour.
The first ray of sun light started to streak down and the towers of Angkor Wat started to glow. People started to get excited. It was a magnificent view. The sky is clear today, we are real lucky. According to the guide (Mr.Ly, pronounced as Lee) the day before was not as good.
After that we moved to the ponds where everybody congregated to capture the Angkor Wat sunrise. It is then that we realise more people gathered here as this is THE place to take the sunrise photo. Angkor Wat in front of the ponds is where a good photo is made.
We proceed on to the Angkor Wat complex to understand the stories of the many bas-reliefs. The stories are really amazing. Every now and then, you will see bullet holes and blood stains that remind you of the numerous civil wars that Cambodia has gone through. I shant repeat the bas-relief stories here, as there are all available in guide books and websites, just some photos and footnotes to share here.
After the visit to Angkor Wat, we went out for brekkie. I told the driver that we have met an old friend and asked him to follow Nick's tuk-tuk driver. We then proceed to the next temple, Bayon and Baphuon. Before that we have to go through a gate. There are five gates altogether.
Many faces cast in stones.
Bas-relief about how the Khmer soldiers fought with the Cham (Vietnam) soldiers. Our guide Ly.
We proceed on to another temple. This temple is quite high. We need to climb stairs to go up to the top of temple.
As I was walking down, an angmo guy trying to take a picture of his wife walking down the steep staircase.
I realised that and I retraced my step so that he can take a picture without me inside. After he took the photo, he shouted in italian : gratzie! I smiled from the top and replied in Italian : prego! the whole italian group was totally estatic on hearing someone asian looking replied in his home language. As i finally reached the ground, he came forward and shook my hand and thanked me profusely. I jokingly asked, u managed to take my photo? he laughed and said : Ooooof course, and it cost a dollar! Almost everything in siem reap come at a small cost of a dollar haha so we tourists always try to ask each other for a dollar to mock the Siem Reap people lol. Such was the interesting little story while descending the steep staircase.
Now a quiz for you: what does the name Siem Reap actually mean?
Mid day sun is totally unbearable. Hot sun + no cloud = super hot.
We decided to break for lunch. To thank Nick for sharing us his guide made our day so wonderful, we offered to buy him beer. Lunch at town centre is so much better: cheaper and better food. Khmer Kitchen food is good. Much better than the one we had last night. All our meals from now on will be at the town centre.
We went on to the Tomb Raider temple - Ta Phrom. This is the wild wild land. Trees grow on the temple haha. Ownage!
Ly told us that different language tour guides will fetch different price. English and mandarin speaking tour guides will fecth about US25-30 dollars a day. German speaking tour guide will fetch US35 dollars a day. Other languages like italians and russians will fetch even higher price, and need to be booked well in advance. Since he knows both English and German, his preference is to take german tourists and get higher pay. Very likely that he will have german tourists tomorrow and couldnt bring us. On hearing this, we were nervous as we were not sure if other guides are as knowledeagle and friendly like him. We asked him to try at least make it tomorrow. He said he will consider and it all depends on whether the german tourists group will come tomorrow.
We finished the day pretty early. Went back to the hotel to concuss. The driver drove us to a massage place for foot massage. Not that good though. We have came to the conclusion that the driver's recommendation is really not up to the mark. We shall just used his car only from now on.
Went to the same restaurant for dinner again but this time they have night time bbq. We ordered the bbq and ate till our heart content. Draught beer at 50 cents!! Tiger is quite a popular brand here beside Angkor beer.
After the dinner we walked around the town. Very happening place. Such a far cry from the quiet restaurant that we were brought to yesterday. The night scene is vibrant. They have a pedestrian street called Pub Street where no cars are allowed in the evening. Many restaurants lined up the street and some claimed to be recommended by Lonely Planet. EK said we should gave them a try the next day. After some walk about, we took the van back to hotel.
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