Siem Reap, Cambodia - Day 1 (Part 1)

our flight was at 0600 hrs in the morning and by 0430 we were all at the airport raring to go. well i think bubbles and jac were. i was more or less still three quarters asleep. had our breakfast at the kopitiam like place at T1. not too bad. for a person who is three quarters asleep, i could down a whole bowl of wanton mee. the parental units were there with us, so we chatted till boarding time.

having done sufficient research before heading for this trip, we were mostly pretty confident about really enjoying ourselves there. and boy were we right. the flight was pretty uneventful. i guess what you can do on budget airlines is just to sleep away the journey. we had wanted to take a better airline, but seeing as our itinerary was SIN - SR - PP - SIN, the cost was too exorbitant. so we bought 2 one way tickets at a total cost of $298 per person (pp), which jac got it at least 50 bucks cheaper! (yes i'm still sore about that... )

the airport at siem reap was what amazed me. it kinda reminded me of what sukarno hatta international airport looks like. tall ceilings, lost of bricks and wood. stone cravings. greys and reds dominate the colour scheme. made me feel at home immediately. it was a small airport but nicely furbished. except the customs counter. there was only one. and one man manning it. (pardon that obvious pun) when the plane landed, there was no sheltered walkway from the plane the the airport. we had to actually walk across the tarmac and head into the building itself. quite an awesome experience.

us on the tarmac... the sun too bright, hence the squinty eyes!

we had airport pick up by DMS Angkor Villa (USD15 per night, twin sharing), run by Savong, who also opened a language school for kids. they teach english and japanese there, so bubble brought heaps of comics for the kids to peruse. the hotel was about 20 - 30 mins away from the airport. and i kinda lost track of my directions (not that i have much sense of direction to begin with) after 6 mins in the car. the sights along the way reminded me of indonesia (again). lots of open space, cows and low-rise buildings.

honestly, the hotel didn't really impress me that much. and there seem to be very little people staying there (could be because of the low season), it even seemed as if we were the only people who checked in. Savong, his brother - La and another boy were chatty and seem pretty nice.

by the time we reached the hotel, checked in and freshened up a bit, it was only 9am (10am singapore time). we decided to ask Savong for his recommendations at which temples we should hit first, even though we already had an itinerary to follow (as done up by bubbles! babe.. we should have followed urs... ^_^). so La tuk-tuk-ed us to the entrance to the temple.

3-day pass at USD40 a pop! and they take your photo on the spot and print it out.

breakfast of basil chicken and rice - USD3. yummy!

past the entrance

first temple of the day - BAYON

BAYON

there's a reason why Bayon left such an impression on me. it's such a happy temple! everywhere you go... you seem smiley faces. i feel happy just being there. heh!

next temple that we wondered to was, Baphuon, which is like a temple right at the end of a long, long walkway. the sides of the walkway are lined with greenery and ponds (?). it's pretty scenic from the top picture. like a dream-like castle. okie in my pov.

the girlies at the start of the long walkway. this temple is kind of connected to the terrace of the elephants. and will also lead you to another temple further inside.

the walkway nearer to the main building. pretty neat columns.

Baphuon itself. we can't enter the place. i think some restoration work might be going on. judging from the steel structures sticking out like a sore thumb to the side of the temple.

after this temple, we kind of wonder towards the right of it.. and were brought to... the Phimeanakas ('celestial temple') temple. and it was celestial indeed. the steps were sooo steeped that i'm pretty sure people have died, climbing up. the pictures shall do the exclaimation!

after climbing up the stones! then we realised how steep it was. CRAZY mad steep it was. we didn't want to take the wooden stairs. trying to be advanturous. bottom view up. seriously i think rock climbers are the only people who can conquer the temple steps safely.

we apparently took the easier way up the temple! THIS IS THE REAL THING! the steps are so steep and well worn! there's a sign that says 'climb at your own risk'. the brave ang moh person.

after the steep flight of steps up! there's another rocky portion to climb up to actually head to the TOP of the celestial temple. i actually used some techniques i learnt in rock climbing to go up. awesome isn't it!

part 2: 3rd and final temple of the day and the nightly activities. stay tuned!