Day 98 – Siem Reap
Today we had our group tour of Angkor Wat. The bus picked us up in the morning. We were the first to be picked up, and when getting onto the bus, I realised that my water bottle was leaking in my bag. As we picked up the rest of the tourists for the tour, I drained and dried my bag 🙁
The first stop on the tour was to the Angkor ticket office. Here we just bought tickets with most people buying the 1 day pass. We bought the 3 days pass. The guide told us there is a museum, near the ticket office, that is donated by North Korea. After buying the tickets, we left to Angkor Wat.
We then went to Ankgor Wat. It was very nice to walk around the grounds of this ancient Hindu temple. It was interesting to find out that the temple was never completed as the king who created it died before it was competed. The buildings itself were massive and the decorations were beautiful. When we were there, a side of the complex was getting renovated.
Unfinished panels
After lunch, we went to Ta Phrohm, also known as the Tomb Raider Temple (due to the older Tomb Raider Films). Ta Phrohm is apparently in the same condition it was found in by the French. All the sites were apparently like this when the temples were rediscovered in modern times. At Ta Phrohm, you can see plenty of ruins with trees growing from them.
Next we drove into the Angkor Thom complex to the Bayon temple. This was my favourite temple. All the faces look so happy, I just can’t stop smiling when I even think of the Bayon Temple.
After the temple we walked for around 15 minutes to Bakheng Hill to see the sunset. We were actually told to come back before sunset, which was a bit strange but we saw plenty of other people from our tour staying to view the sunset. However, all of a sudden the heavens opened up and it started to rain. There was a massive scrabble as people attempted to escape the rain.
We then returned to the hotel, and had an early night as we have a 4.30am start tomorrow!