We arrived in Siem Reap at 9 am after an early flight from Hong Kong. We being Natascha, Annette and me. The hotel picked us up from airport and our hotel concierge, Rose, is amazing and such a sweetheart and an independent young woman. We are staying at Golden Temple Hotel based on Jared and Lisa's recommendation and we couldn't be happier. Amazing hospitality at this place. The people here are kind, generous and very accommodating.
Here is hotel!
We had set lunch in the hotel and loved the green mango salad. It became a favorite all weekend. The food was not only delicious but was beautiful.
On the first day we were supposed to visit the floating village but because of low water they recommended we go to Silk Farm instead. We weren't so sure what to expect but it was cool and we learned a bit.
Then we went to play a round of mini golf where the holes had replicas of the local temples. We expected grand replicas and instead were greeted with small temple forms and was a bit run down. But we made the best of the time and enjoyed our round of mini golf.
Then Friday we started the journey of visiting temples. In the morning we visited Pre Roup and Banteay Srei In the afternoon we visited East Mebon and Pre Khan. Then we went to Phnom Bakheng (mountain temple) for the sunset.
To go on the tours we hired a private van (air conditioned) and an English speaking tour guide. Wyn was our driver and Phirum was our tour guide. They were both so wonderful. Again, the hotel goes above and beyond by having a cooler of water in the van at all times and preparing picnic snacks and lunches for your trips.
On the way back to the hotel, we stopped at a local village and saw how they made palm sugar using the juice/syrup from palm trees. We tasted some of the sugar and it was delicious. They use it in baking and in coffee and tea.
The first evening we took a tuk-tuk to the sister hotel of our hotel for dinner and a free Cambodian dance show. The random part of the evening was meeting a guy at dinner who lives in Milford, MA. He was visiting Asia for work and then staying for leisure travel. Such a small world.
Then Friday we started the journey of visiting temples. In the morning we visited Pre Roup and Banteay Srei In the afternoon we visited East Mebon and Pre Khan. Then we went to Phnom Bakheng (mountain temple) for the sunset.
To go on the tours we hired a private van (air conditioned) and an English speaking tour guide. Wyn was our driver and Phirum was our tour guide. They were both so wonderful. Again, the hotel goes above and beyond by having a cooler of water in the van at all times and preparing picnic snacks and lunches for your trips.
Outside one of the temples were two little girls drawing in the sand. These girls had talent!
All I could think during our trip was how much Grandma Z would love it here. She would be in her element surrounded by the history and architecture.
At the end of the day we went to try to catch the sunset at Phnom Bakheng (Mountain temple). While waiting to get in we saw a rainbow. Too bad the crane was there...
The sunrise was just amazing... Just breathtaking.
Apparently, the temple used to be red but the color has faded with the weather and conditions. So there are only a few places where you can still see the original red.
It is amazing that many of the carvings have been there for over 900 years. Some have been restored but it is just remarkable.
I was extremely thankful for my fan which the wonderful Sarah DeRosa had given to me.
After Angkor Wat we went to Angkor Thom using the South Gate which is apparently the best gate.
We then went to Central Angkor Thom and visited many of the temples within the area (Bayon, Baphoun, Terrace of the Elephants, Banteay Kdei and Ta Prohm.
Bayon Temple was definitely my favorite with all the faces on all the towers.
The thing to do is rub noses with the faces so when in Rome, touch noses with temple faces.
So many beautiful temples!
The last temple of the day was Ta Prohm which is where Tomb Raider was filmed. I haven't seen it but apparently very iconic.
I had Annette pose in the picture so that you can see the scale of these trees. Huge!
The last night we went to Pub Street to check out the night life and visited the night market to buy some souvenirs. We saw this bar on Pub Street, surprisingly no one knew my name.
Unfortunately, we had to leave early Sunday morning to return to HK. We had an amazing trip and I loved Angkor Wat. I will definitely return.
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