WHO copy WHO??

This is Sin Chew Jit Poh on 14th October . The 9 words circled is my trademark since i started this blog in June 2007.
Now the minister also quote my trademark... HAHA!!!

Angkor Archeological Park tour 11-9-07

We set off at 6am local time for the sunrise in Angkor Wat. Heard that it's marvellous.
It's pitch dark. But we saw many tourist were heading towards Angkor Park. Some was on the foot jogging for the 15 KM. Not easy, i can say

The sunrise is awesome. However the building attracted us more. We keep taking pictures of different posture.
____________________________________________________________
Angkor Archaeological Park/Siem Reap Province - The following temple ruins are located in Siem Reap Province, most within the boundaries of the Angkor Archaeological Park near Siem Reap City. The temple sites with the Angkor Archaeological Park represent the ruins of the ancient Angkorian capital cities and include most of the most famous Khmer temples including Angkor Wat and Bayon
_____________________________________________________________

The following is our itinenaray of visitation to various temple following the small tour circuit (the red line in the Angkor Archeological Park map below)

Angkor Wat (Early-Mid 12th century AD)
Angkor Wat is visually, architecturally and artistically breathtaking. It is a massive three-tiered pyramid crowned by five lotus-like towers rising 65 meters from ground level. This is the Landmark of the whole Angkorian Park. Thumb UP!!


Prasat Kravan (Early 10th century AD)
East-facing brick towers containing unique bas-reliefs of Vishnu and Lakshmi rendered in brick - the only example of brick bas-reliefs in the Angkor area.

Bantey Kdei (Late 12th - Early 13th century AD)
Sprawling, largely unrestored, monastic complex in much the same style as Ta Prohm. It was originally constructed over the site of an earlier temple, and functioned as a Buddhist monastery under Jayavarman VII.The 13th century vandalism of Buddha images that is seen on many Jayavarman VII temples is quite apparent on Banteay Kdei

Ta Prohm (Mid 12th - Early 13th century AD )
Jayavarman VII temples , this quiet, sprawling monastic complex is only partially cleared of jungle overgrowth. Intentionally left partially unrestored, massive fig and silk-cotton trees grow from the towers and corridors offering some of the best ‘tree-in-temple’ photo opportunities at Angkor. Ta Prohm was dedicated to his mother. Ta Prohm was originally constructed as a Buddhist monastery and was enormously wealthy in its time, boasting of control over 3000 villages, thousands of support staff and vast stores of jewels and gold.

Boo keep saying that he is very tired, and we are not in mood to take more pictures in this fantastic temple.

Srah Srang (Mid 10th and Late 12th century AD )

Picturesque baray opposite the east entrance of Banteay Kdei. Remodeled in the 12th century as part of Jayavarman VII's massive building campaign. A multi-tiered landing platform on the west edge of the baray is adorned with naga balustrades and guardian lions. The very sparse remains of an island temple can be seen poking out of the middle of the lake during the dry season when the water is low. Srah Srang offers a pleasant, much less touristed sunrise alternative to Angkor Wat.

Ta Keo (Late 10th - Early 11th century AD)

Towering but plainly decorated temple-mountain dedicated to Shiva. Known in its time as ‘the mountain with golden peaks.’ The first to be constructed wholly of sandstone, this temple employing huge sandstone blocks. Constructed under three kings, begun by Jayavarman V as his state-temple and continued under Jayaviravarman and Suryavarman I. When Jayavarman V first constructed Ta Keo, he part ways with previous kings, constructing his state temple outside of his main capital area. Construction on Ta Keo seems to have stopped particularly early in the decoration phase as evidenced by the lack of carvings.

The local young girl TRY to sell the postcard to the tourist.

This guy agree to buy her postcard after he reached the top of the temple which is around 15m high.

The poor girl followed....

BUT

she should be in SCHOOL now!!

Chau Say Thevoda

Chau Say Tevoda is now undergoing an extensive restoration project, for the moment allowing the visitor a close up look at the restoration process.

Phnom Bakheng (Late 9th - Early 10th century AD)

The construction of this temple mountain on Phnom Bakheng (Bakheng Hill), the first major temple to be constructed in the Angkor area, marked the move of the capital of the Khmer empire from Roluos to Angkor in the late 9th century AD. It served as King Yasovarman I's state-temple at the center of his new capital city Yasodharapura. The foundation of Bakheng is carved from the existing rock edifice rather than the laterite and earthfill of most other temples. Bakheng's hilltop location makes it the most popular sunset location in the area, offering a view of the Tonle Sap Lake and a distant Angkor Wat in the jungle. (A good photo of Angkor Wat in the distance requires at least a 400mm lens.) The temple is usually overcrowded at sunset, sometimes even completely overrun by tourists. Due to overuse and damage, the main stairway up the mountain has been closed and an alternate path to the top has been opened.

Buddist Bath Ceremony

Here we joined the manthly local Buddhist ritual. The bath is said to be bringing great fortune and prosperity. The locals guy are very friendly to both of us.

GREAT EXPERIENCE!!

Phnom Penh -> Siam Reap 10-9-07

We took the bus from Phnom Penh to Siam Reap. The printed price is 17000 Riels, but we got it from the guesthouse for the price of $5 ( 20000Riels). Slightly more for the transport from the GH to bus station and commision.

The whole scene along the 5 hours journey is a pleasant experience. However don't expect the nice straight highway bus experience as you found in Penisula Malaysia. To me, the scene is almost the same as in Malaysia, mostly paddy fields, small houses. I believe this is one of "exotic" tropical country scene to the caucasions.


Upon arrival in Siam Reap, the next scenario here is shocking. Before disembarking from the bus, our bus were encircled by a huge crowd of locals when it drove into the parking space. Wow, it was the most shocking experience for me in the whole trip.

The young lenglui here is so terrified of all the tuk-tuk drivers who are too aggresive in fetching business

They were just the tuk-tuk drivers who was trying to offer u a drive to your desired GH or be your guide, recommend you any GH or anything if you are willing to pay. What makes it so difference is they are so PROACTIVE in the way that they cornered you and don't let you go anyway until you make up your decision where you going. Definitely not for the faint-hearted!!

Boo step out decisively and we followed a tuk-tuk driver who can speak Bahasa Malayu. And here is the first time we paid using Ringgit Malaysia in Cambodia as the drivers request!!! Boo seem to like him very much so we paid him another RM1 after he drove us to JASMINE LODGE.
After checking in, we started walking nearby to get bicycle. Following our previous experience, we knew a quality bicycle is so essential as we depends on it ultimately. We finally chose a nice Mountain Bike for $8. Until now i still miss that bike, really a terrific bike with great suspension, nice seats easy to menuever/control. The following is my bicycle. The best bike in our whole trip

We decide to cycle to Angkor Wat for sunset as we don't want to waste the half day left. The ticket to Angkor Park is $40 for 3 days pass and $20 for 1 day pass. I vote for 3 day pass because of the photo embeded on the Angkor Pass. Here is our biggest regret as our time in Siam Reap is limited to 2 days the most.

Unexpected rain hit us when we first saw the outside river of the Angkor Wat. At the first sight we don't know the building standing infront of us is Angkor Wat. This is due that the normal sight we view is from the west door. We have to terminate our journey and bargaining for dinner while waiting for the rain to stop.

However the rain seem to be forever, and Boo is 100% excited at the idea of cycling in the rain. Tell you the truth, i hate that idea, just imagine being drenched inside out and the freezing condition in the rain really terrified me! I am scare especially i know that my specs will be watery and i can hardly see the road. But, i was left with no choice now.

We packed our electronic devices and wallet in multiple layers of plastic bags and set off. I was in front and i look back occasionally to confirm boo is behind. The distance from Angkor Wat to Jasmine Lodge is approximately 15KM(45mins in rain).

Suddenly i couldn't found boo behind me anymore. i was startled. i slowed down but i just can't see him catching up. It was already 8pm, dark night engulfed me and i can only see i was the only cyclist along the whole way. A very scary and eerie experience especially after you found out you lose your companion whose wallet is with you. Morover Boo don't know the way back to the GH as he is always the follower!!! "Boo, you are on your own now!" i sighed.

When i reach the GH, i am sure he wasn't back yet. I was really really worried. We don't have ways to communicate,nor does he have any money/ identification with him. "I will go for the police if i cannot find him"i thought so. I set off again in the rain in attempt to find him with no avail. I really don't know which way to start off as there are so many ways to our GH. After a cycling around in random direction, i gave up.

I went back to the GH, after 10 minutes, he came back.

"Walau , Why you cycled soooo fast???"he yelled.

I am relieved with tears and forget to argue back . That is my first reaction. Totally relieved...

After that we argued but what drives me mad is when he said he purposely cycled slowly because he enjoyed cyling in the rain so much and it's his best experience in his life. When i saw the big grin on his face, i was so "boiled" up/furious until i cannot speak a word and i leave the room immediately. It is as if the whole worrying and searching process is STUPID!!!

Conclusion,
for an enjoyable trip, it's utmost important that each and every travelmates be responsible for his own action. Remember, you are NOT lone ranger, you are travelling with somebody and both must always report to each other especially in a place where no comuunication device is available.

I was lucky enough that i didn't fall sicked... Thanks