Tag Archives: cambodia

May 2 2012

Ruins of Angkor – Cambodia

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

We had done Bhaking Hill already so the next few days, we visited several ruins, rode on an elephant, then on foot to the temple of the Leper King.  By 11 AM,  each day I was ready to faint from heat, humidity, exhaustion and pain.  I went back to the hotel whilst Abraham went to try local food and his own discoveries.  One afternoon we visited Ta Phrom.  This was our favorite…Tomb Raiders was filmed here.  The trees, roots were awesome.  The next day, we climbed to the top of the temple at Angkor Wat.  I was not going to climb those darn steep stairs but Abraham said, “Mom, look at those old ladies, they are going and if they can do it, so can you.”  I climbed, left leg in pain with the pinched nerve every 2 steps.  We did make it to the very top…a beautiful view.  Everyone who has visited Angkor Wat has described it as magnificent, beautiful.  I am in awe and wonder how the heck did they build these with these massive blocks of stone, precisely cut.  Abraham and I will always remember the ruins and the people of Siem Reap/Angkor.  Oh…those old ladies, they didn’t climb..they were just standing there!

Advertisement
Apr 29 2012

Cambodia: Sunrise and Sunset at Angkor Wat

At 5 AM, our driver took us to Angkor Wat where we joined at least a few hundred others.  It was dark but I had my miniature flashlight to light the way  as we cautiously made our way to the lagoon area to wait patiently for the sun to greet us.

The area was already very crowded.  Many people were already homesteading their perfect camera view.  They must have arrived at 4:30 AM.  I walked around, wandered to an area  where very few people gathered.  That view was actually better.  I stood, camera poised, listening to the stories being described around me.  One person said that his mother had been to Angkor Wat a few years ago and she was the only one there to view the sunrise.  Many young couples were sitting in front of me, holding hands, making the moment as romantic and memorable for them.  An older gentleman with his cane was being helped by his companion, smile on his face, happy to be there.

At last the sun woke up and started to rise, higher and higher into the sky, lighting it very quickly, moving between the pillars of the temple.  Light in the sky and darkness still shadowing parts of the ruins.  People quickly exited the area.  It was already hot and it was only 6:30 AM.  Later during the day, we watched a breathtaking sunset at Angkor Wat…pictures can better describe the breathtaking beauty…

This slideshow requires JavaScript.