Now is the best time to go to Siem Reap, Cambodia! Here's how!

Last year, we celebrated our wedding anniversary by going on a trip to Siem Reap, Cambodia.  It was one of the best trips we had.

Here's how you can plan for your trip to Siem Reap, Cambodia.

We were told that April or May is very hot.  We went there February but is was already very hot.  I can't imagine how much hotter it would be during April or May.  Always wear a cap and drink lots of water to avoid heat stroke. Avoid rainy seasons also.

We took JetStar and spent around SG$500+ for 2 people. Try to look out for promos from Jetstar so you can save a bit more.

We booked at Bopha Angkor Hotel which is about US$45 for double bed. We booked using http://www.angkorhotels.org/.  I suggest you don't get the taxi booking option.  Ask Mara Long, our recommended tour guide to pick you up from the airport.

 For tours, you can email Mr. Mara Long of http://www.angkortourguides.com. Just tell him the type of tour you want and he can give you a quote. Our 3-day tour (private car) cost about US$254. That includes some of the extra charge for going to farther temples and some meals. Again, ask Mara to pick you up form the airport (usually free as part of the tour package).

You need to pay separately for the entrance to the temples. A 3-day pass would be US$40 per head (Note:  this was last year's rate). This pass is applicable to most temples already. This is convenient since you don't need to pay entrance fees at every stop.

Angkor Wat

 

Ta Prohm Temple - famous for being the location for the Tomb Raider movie

Food is not really as cheap as expected since they follow US$ as their main currency.  Expect meals to be around US$15-20 per person.

The "fish amok" and exotice barbecues are a must try.

Fish Amok - fish in coconut milk with different spices.

 

Exotic BBQ - crocodile and snake meat tastes like chicken

They use US$ as a main currency even if Riel is their official currency. So when you exchange money, ask for small US$ bills. When you pay, they would give US$ as change except for coins, which they convert to Riel.  Collect these Riel coins so you can use it for souvenir items.

There will be a lot of people at the temple selling you books about Angkor. They will try to sell it to you at US$30. We were able to haggle for 2 books at US$10. Only to find out that each were being sold at US$1 only in other temples!!!!!  I recommend you get the Book Guides Ancient Angkor or Cambodia (Country Guide).  I highly recommend the Book Guides Ancient Angkor because of the very detailed explanation of each temple.

For more information on what places you can visit in Siem Reap, check out my previous blog posts about Siem Reap, Cambodia.

I would again remind you to drink lots of water during this hot season.  You don't want getting heatstroke there.

Finally, enjoy the trip! ;)


Hope these help.

--
PS. You can follow Adventure Travel Asia on Facebook! Or, You can sign up here to get travel and photo tips via email!!
PPS. Feel free to write your comments or rate this post!

Siem Reap, Cambodia - Preah Ko

Preah Ko is the first temple built in Roluos, which is 15km south of Siem Reap.

There are six brick towers in this temple.


Unlike the first set of temples we visited, this temple is made of bricks instead of large stones.

Inscriptions

Some of the doors in Preah Ko have inscriptions carved on it.

Lime Mortar



Instead of carved stone, images are made out of lime mortar.

Stone Lintels


--
PS. You can follow Adventure Travel Asia on Facebook! Or, You can sign up here to get travel and photo tips via email!!
PPS. Feel free to write your comments or rate this post!

Siem Reap, Cambodia - Pre Rup

Pre Rup





Pre Rup was the State Temple of King Rajendravarman's capital.

Pre Rup means, 'turning the body'. Although this meaning is said to be misleading. Turning the body of a corpse is a cremation rite.

--
PS. You can follow Adventure Travel Asia on Facebook! Or, You can sign up here to get travel and photo tips via email!!
PPS. Feel free to write your comments or rate this post!

Siem Reap, Cambodia - Phnom Bakheng

Pilgrimage

Many tourists make their climb up the hill to see the sunset at Phnom Bakheng.

There used to be a steep stair climb, but this has been made unsafe by the rain. You have to use the long winding road or the elephant trail to go up.

Phnom Bakheng

Phnom Bakheng was the State temple of the first city of Angkor.

The Wait

Many tourists gather at Phnom Bakheng to watch the sunset.

Angkor Wat



You can see Angkor Wat from a distance from the top of Phnom Bakheng.

Sundown


This is is your reward for the long climb up the hill.

...more to come.

--
PS. You can follow Adventure Travel Asia on Facebook! Or, You can sign up here to get travel and photo tips via email!!
PPS. Feel free to write your comments or rate this post!

Siem Reap, Cambodia - Angkor Wat (Part 2)

Apsara

Apsaras are supernatural beautiful and elegant young girls. They are proficient in the art of dancing.

They entertained the rulers and heroes of the past.

Birds


Monkeys

The pillars and walls of Angkor Wat is covered with carvings.

The images range from birds, flowers, monkeys or full stories of the rulers and the gods.

Bas-reliefs

Bas-reliefs are considered the greatest of Khmer art. These are stone carvings that cover the exterior of the walls of the main temple.

The carvings run for a total of 600m in length and 2m high.

37 Heavens and 32 Hells


This bas-relief depics the 37 Heavens and 32 Hells derived from the Indian tradition.

The carving above shows a god deciding on who will go to heaven and who will go to hell.

Battle of Langka


This bas-relief is an episode of Ramayana, an Indian epic tale.

Rama's monkey army fight the Demon King Ravana's army to rescue his wife Sita, who was captured and held hostage in Lanka.

Erasures


The stone carvers also made mistakes during this time.

To correct mistakes, they bore holes and plug in a new stone so they can carve again.



.. more of Siem Reap to come..

--
PS. You can follow Adventure Travel Asia on Facebook! Or, You can sign up here to get travel and photo tips via email!!
PPS. Feel free to write your comments or rate this post!

Siem Reap, Cambodia - Angkor Wat (Part 1)

Angkor Wat Entrance

Before entering the temple grounds, you'll see the moat surrounding Angkor Wat. The moat and the temple grounds is about 1.5km by 1.3km .

A moat is present in temple designs. However, most have dried up or has been destroyed through time.

Bridge

The temple and everything enclosed by the moat represent the universe.

Library

Libraries are smaller structures within the temple grounds.

Their libraries don't have books. Instead, they have carvings on the walls telling history, religion and other stories.

Looking Through

A view of Angkor Wat through one of the libraries.

Angkor Vat


Angkor Wat is the largest religious monument. Angkor Wat is also known as the "city (which became a) pagoda."

It was build during the reign of Suryavarman II as the capital and State Temple dedicated to Vishnu.

Basins

There are four are basins used for blessings within the main building.

Cruciform Cloister (inside)


Cruciform Cloister (outside)

The Cruciform Cloister is the covered path around the basins.

It is also known as the "Hall of the Thousand Buddhas. Only a few remaining Buddha statues can be seen.

Towers of Angkor




Angkor Wat is usually seen with just 3 towers. The temple is actually made up of 5 towers.

There are towers on each corner of the square-shaped temple and larger tower at the center.

Second Level Galleries

Path to the second level galleries.

Stone Piles

There are many stones scattered around Angkor. Restorers could no longer find where the stone pieces fit.

... to be continued..

--
PS. You can follow Adventure Travel Asia on Facebook! Or, You can sign up here to get travel and photo tips via email!!
PPS. Feel free to write your comments or rate this post!

Siem Reap, Cambodia - Preah Palilay

Morning Blessing

Before heading for the grounds of Preah Palilay, locals visit the Buddhist monks to have their morning blessing.

The monks splash the person with water while chanting the blessing.

Naga

Like other temples, the Naga is also found lining the entrance.

Entrance to Preah Palilay

This is the entrance to Preah Palilay temple grounds.

Preah Palilay

Preah Palilay is one of the small Buddhist Sactuaries found within Angkor Thom.

Cut Down Trees

Preah Palilay found within the wooded area of Angkor Thom. Unfortunately, these age-old trees have been cut down to prevent further destruction of the temple.

Monk on Temple

Do you notice the monk sitting at the temple?

Monk

A small buddhist monastary is found near Preah Palilay. Some of the younger monks find this temple as a place to take a break.

..more to come.. :)

--
PS. You can follow Adventure Travel Asia on Facebook! Or, You can sign up here to get travel and photo tips via email!!
PPS. Feel free to write your comments or rate this post!

Siem Reap, Cambodia - Phimeanakas and The Royal Palace

Royal Palace

This is the entrance to the Royal Palace. Unfortunately, the palace has long been destroyed as it is only made of wood. Only the temples made of stone remain.

Reclining Buddha

One of the temples being restored here has the image of the reclining Buddha at the top.

Pyramid Temple

Phimeanakas is also known as the pyramid temple.

Burried Path



Giant

These large trees are found within the Royal Palace.


...more to come

--
PS. You can follow Adventure Travel Asia on Facebook! Or, You can sign up here to get travel and photo tips via email!!
PPS. Feel free to write your comments or rate this post!