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<\/a>this was where we had our lunch before checking into our hotel.<\/p><\/div>\n
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<\/a>I can’t recall what and where is this.<\/p><\/div>\n
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<\/a>the stairs leading into the temple atop the hill.<\/p><\/div>\n
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<\/a>one for the record – Phnom Bakheng.<\/p><\/div>\n
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<\/a>one of the signboard there.<\/p><\/div>\n
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<\/a>guess this is what the guide was saying – the elephant ride up the hill.<\/p><\/div>\n
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<\/a>other tourists ‘scrambling’ up the stairs. Can you find ST & Stanley?<\/p><\/div>\n
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<\/a>Ann, after the first few flights of stairs.<\/p><\/div>\n
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<\/a>first round done!<\/p><\/div>\n
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<\/a>Ann & Yin<\/p><\/div>\n
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<\/a>finally the top…<\/p><\/div>\n
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<\/a>with other tourists… at the top.<\/p><\/div>\n
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<\/a>Yin… taking 5 or posing???<\/p><\/div>\n
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<\/p>\n <\/p>\n our group…<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Day 2 (16\/08\/2007), Bayon Gate, Angkor Thom and Ta Prohm.<\/p>\n Also can\u2019t recall much here, only have some photos to show off, but I remember Ta Prohm because of Angelina Jolie.\u00a0 I will come to that later. Bayon Gate I remember there was some sort of a bridge (or was it a bridge) because there was a river there and on both side of that \u2018bridge\u2019 were statues lining up all along. Then Angkor Thom, if not mistaken is a temple area with huge chilling and smiling faces statues everywhere.\u00a0 There were numerous entrances with faces (statue) everywhere. Or \u2018Faces of Bayon\u201d? can\u2019t remember.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Bayon Gate – this is the bridge I was talking about, or is it a short causeway?<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n have elephant ride too…<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n some of the statues by the causeway\/bridge.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n Yin… notice the river in the background.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n our van.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Angkor Thom???<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Faces of Bayon???<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n a short briefing from our guide.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n notice some restoration work and renovation in progress.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Then,\u00a0 Ta Phrom \u2013 walked along a long untarred road to get there. This is where you can find trees, some\u00a0were\u00a0huge and tall growing out of the ruins. Roots of those trees sprung out everywhere. Ta Phrom was the film location of Tomb Raider, that was why I mentioned about Angelina Jolie earlier. Well I guess that is about all I could recall, please refer to the photos to have a clearer picture.<\/p>\n the path leading to Ta Prohm.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n around Ta Prohm<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n the tree roots atop the structure.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n interior…<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n lunch time after Ta Prohm.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Then after lunch, in the afternoon, our main attraction \u2013 the famous Angkor Wat. Been hearing a lot about this place, in fact one of the reasons we went to Siem Reap. It was drizzling that afternoon but our guide have umbrellas ready for us. We didn\u2019t actually used them as the rain stopped shortly after.<\/p>\n Angkor Wat is a huge building or complex\u2026? What to call it? OK, let\u2019s say it is a huge structure with a lot of ground and spaces to cover before reaching the main temple. I remembered our guide told us something like \u2013 Angkor Wat is the world\u2019s largest religious building with roots stemming from Hinduism and Buddhism\u2026 if I am not mistaken. It was also the largest monument or structure of the Angkor group. We walked along a stone causeway that lead to the temple. There was a \u2018reflecting\u2019 pool with Angkor Wat Temple reflected in it. A popular area for taking photos. When we stepped into the temple, I remember our guide saying something like 1000 Buddhas\u2026 the walls and surrounding were so unique, with religious images and remnants, very beautiful. It is sad that I didn\u2019t write down what our guide told us about this temple. Then I remember we walked through some sort of a hallway, then came the Angkor Wat Tower.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n the causeway<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n other tourists walking in to Angkor Wat.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n I remember too about something like first, second, third level\u2026 and to get to the highest level, we climbed up some very steep steps with a railing on one side. Be very careful when ascending and descending those steps, they are very steep and narrow. There have been casualties before on these steps, hence the railing on one side. Going down is even scarier than going up. Once at the top, we enjoyed some great views\u2026<\/p>\n The time we were there, it was having some renovations or restorations as we could see some structures covered with scaffoldings and also surrounded by support beams. Other than that, I would say Angkor Wat is amazing, a must visit if in Cambodia.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Angkor Wat – one of the interior walls.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Yin & ST – the steep climb.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n guess this is the highest level.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Buddha and Naga statues carved from stone – some were complete figures, but there were some with missing limbs and head like the one behind me.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n coming down the stairs was not easy either…<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n the reflection pool.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n The following day (Day 3), \u00a0Tonle Sap Lake and Angkor National Museum or Cultural Village\u2026<\/p>\n I have not heard about this lake until the day before the visit\u00a0when I read our itinerary for this trip to find out where we would be going on our third day in Siem Reap. When I saw Tonle Sap Lake in the itinerary,\u00a0 I thought it was just another normal lake with some sceneries with stalls selling souvenirs , people walking or jogging around the lake. But as the van was\u00a0going through some villages enroute to the lake, I know it is going to be something extra ordinary, not just some sort of normal lake, and I was right. During our journey there, we came across or should I say learned the many activities of their villagers\u2019 life style. We even came across a lorry transporting a complete build wooden house with some of the pots and pans hanging and\u00a0dangling by the side. Our guide told us someone was shifting house!<\/p>\n As our van came into a dirt road more shacks, huts or houses emerged from both sides of the road. It was on this dirt road that our van hit something that caused the engine oil to leak and finally it came to a stall leaving a trail of leaking engine oil behind. While our guide and the van driver were busy looking into the problem and engaging for a replacement van, we had the opportunity to scout around the area and mingling with the kids who gathered around and curious about us. We gave them some of our tit-bits, some chocolates and biscuits. While they were happily munching on those stuffs, I can\u2019t help but felt pity for them for what they\u00a0were going through. One thing for sure, they\u00a0were poor people.<\/p>\n our van with leaking engine oil…<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n notice the village children…<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n After about an hour, another van came to pick us up and we continued to the jetty to board\u00a0the boat for Tonle Sap. While the van was approaching the jetty, the lake came into sight, a huge lake, not what I had imagined earlier. I can\u2019t remember how long the boat ride was, but it was an experience I will never forget. Nothing much of those beautiful sceneries or natural formations etc, but something we could ponder about, something that tell us how lucky we are\u2026you know what I mean?<\/p>\n the jetty where we board our boat, or is it a jetty?<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n our boat departing… cruising the lake.<\/p><\/div>\n What we came across during the boat ride, was something to me a water village with people living in their boat. They did everything like washing, bathing using the lake water, cooking in their boat, everything\u2026 the boat is their house. They have floating food stalls, floating grocery stalls, floating school, even a floating Catholic Church.<\/p>\n the villagers’ floating house, probably the kitchen portion.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n floating vegetable stall. in the background another villager doing her daily chores.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n floating farming plot?<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n villagers doing their daily business…<\/p><\/div>\n If I am not mistaken, as per our guide, this Tonle Sap Lake is the largest fresh water lake in South East Asia. Those peo\u00adple living on float\u00ading houses catch fish and agricultures to make a living. Yes, they have small floating farming plots. The lake is also sort of a commercial resource, providing fishes that are consumed in Camdodia. They move their houses from place to place accord\u00ading to the water level of the lake dur\u00ading dif\u00adfer\u00adent season.<\/p>\n their floating chicken coop.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n floating crocodile farm\/breeding?<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n fish<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n their potential income?<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n the floating Catholic Church.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n another Church.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n floating school. Chong Khnies Secondary School.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n floating grocery shop… with cooking gas cylinders.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n another floating house, with potted plants.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n after Tonle Sap Lake, while heading back to the hotel, we stopped by this street (can’t remember the name) looking for shops to buy refreshments like mineral water etc etc…<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Later in the day we visited Angkor National Museum or Cultural Village (which is which? Are they the same, can\u2019t remember). All I could recall are \u2013 miniature National Museum, miniature Royal Palace, and a Khmer wedding ceremony\u2026<\/p>\n cultural village? or National Museum?<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n miniature Royal Palace.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n miniature National Museum.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Apsara dance.<\/p><\/div>\n Day 4, go home\u2026 but of course between those visits above, we went shopping too, not in a shopping complex but those street markets looking for souvenirs, handicrafts, t-shirts etc.\u00a0 Unfortunately I can\u2019t remember the market or the street name.<\/p>\n tuk tuk<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n I like his helmet…<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n Nokor Phnom Hotel where we stayed.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n our guide – a wonderful guy. sadly I can’t remember his name, is something like Sapoena, Supattra, or Superman or Subra something. Sorry Bro… but you have done a good job.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>