Angkor Wat
Trip Start
Dec 26, 2005
1
280
285
Trip End
Jan 25, 2009
Siem Reap,
Cambodia
Monday, January 19, 2009
I woke at 4.30am to meet my tuk tuk driver and guide for the day. I froze as I rode the 30 minutes through thick forest to Angkor Wat for the sunrise at 6am. For US25, I booked a local guide for the 10 hour trip and for US15, I booked a tuk tuk driver for the day. I found this to be an outstanding use of my time and money in visiting Angkor and I felt for those people visiting Angkor Wat without a guide because it would of just looked like a pile of rocks! My guide gave me an incredible insight into Cambodian culture, the ruins and his own life whilst giving me some great company for the day.
At 6am, I, like the other thousand or so tourists were in awe as we watched the sun rise over the top of Angkor Wat - to give me my first view of these very impressive 1000 year old ruins.
I spent the next couple of hours roaming through Angkor Wat - the first of 3 major areas.
For the last 10 days, I've been struggling with an upset stomach and diarrhoea - I would be very surprised to meet a traveller without these symptoms because of the hygiene, water and food preparation issues here. I cannot remember having a firm shit and look forward to returning to Perth for this luxury:)
Angkor Wat has wonderful toilet facilities for those people like me who needed them at hand!
After Angkor Wat, my guide took me for a tour of Angkor Thom.
After Angkor Thom, we went to Ta Prohm - the ruins with the amazing trees.
I write very little here because the photos are the most important aspect here - these will be added after my trip.
It costs US20 to access the temples for one day, US40 for 3 days and US60 for 7 days. I think 1 day was plenty in giving me a good look - but the US55+tips for a one day tour is rather expensive, but money well spent.
I'm in KL now - a modern, eclectic city with a diverse selection of people from varying cultures - Indian, Pakistani, Caucasion, Chinese etc. etc. It is probably nearing the 100% humidity today so very uncomfortable - won't be doing anything today except laundry and this. The shopping is outstanding here - for all budgets. So far, I've seen the towers, Central Markets and Bukit Bintang area (a must stay area if coming here). Apart from the shopping, KL holds no interest for me - I doubt I'll return (except for transit) given my preferences now lie with Cambodia and Thailand - whilst in Cambodia, I felt a tremendous sense of peace and tranquility and just loved the people. If coming to Malaysia, don't limit yourself to the city - areas such as Taman Negara, Penang, Cameron Highlands, Langkowi etc. are absolutely pristine.
