Angkor Wat was never in my must-see places; in fact little did I know about this country packed between Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam. Once I stumbled upon a documentary on how Angkor Wat was built in the 12th century: a temple built for Hindu worship and later used by Buddhists. Sounds interesting!

Did you know that Angelina Jolie’s flick ‘The Tomb Raider’ has few scenes of Bayon and Ta Phrom?

A little more scouting and violà, Indians get a 30-day visa on arrival for Cambodia. So, Angkor Wat the Temple city was imminent.

Angkor Wat The Temple City

‘Wat’ is the Khemer word for temples and Angkor Wat means ‘Temple city’ in Khmer. Angkor Wat has become synonymous with Cambodian travel. A symbol of Khmer architecture the country is proud of, and Angkor has gained it an entry into the list of World Heritage sites. Also, a number of countries are involved in its conservation project.

A pass is required to enter the temple site. Passes are available for a day, three days, and seven days. We stayed in Siemp Reap for four days and took a 3 day pass which is valid for any three days within a week

Stay

We stayed in a budget hotel called Golden Mango Inn which had free pick-up services from the airport/bus station and free tuk-tuk (two-wheeled carriage attached to a moped) rides to the Old market and Pub street.

Pub street is your downtown equivalent, lined with restaurants, pubs, and late night parties. Hotels slightly away from this street usually offer a free tuk-tuk ride or bicycles to Pub street.

Touring Angkor Wat

Angkor ruins can be toured on a bicycle at your own-pace, a taxi or a tuk-tuk, or by joining a tour group.
Our hotel services arranged a tuk-tuk for us for three days and also drafted an itinerary. The charges were nominal. I would recommend this only to avoid the burden of haggling. Our driver knew ‘ok’ English and occasionally acted as our guide.

Without further ado let me take you on a photo-journey of our 3-day Angkor exploration.

Clichèd Angkor Wat sunrise shot

Bayon

Carvings in Angkor Wat

Faces of Bayon

Ta Phrom

Ta Phrom

Red colored temple Banteay Srey

Faces of Bayon

Bayon

Carvings at Banteay Srey

Tips to visit Angkor Wat The Temple City

• If you are not flying into Siem Reap (SR) and plan to travel by road from Phnom Penh (PP), take the Mekong Express bus. They are known to be safer than the rest. We flew into Phnom Penh from Bangkok, spent a day there and took the 6-hour Mekong express limousine bus from PP to SR.
  
  

  A little chat and we are friends
• Private tuk-tuk is the way to go. Angkor is hot and humid. A shaded, breezy ride in your tuk-tuk is much better than a bike or a big tour bus. Stick with the same tuk-tuk and you have earned your Cambodian friend and guide.
• Carry enough water.
• Visting in the shoulder mouth of October is a good idea, which is exactly what we did (visited in October 2012). Fewer tourists, temperatures are a bit cooler (but it’s still very humid),  and temples are quieter than usual. However, expect scattered rains usually post afternoon.
• Final word: Visiting every other temple can leave you wearied; pick your must-visits and enjoy the happy chance of stumbling upon an interesting one!
• Not to miss: Giant photogenic tress growing on the temple ruins of Ta Phrom, Ta Som.
  Giant face carvings of Bayon, gates of Angkor Thom.
  Notable carving of Angkor Wat, Banteay Srey, Terrace of the Leper king.

Click below to see more pics from Cambodia –