Always being
interested with ancient civilizations, and once get not so far from Cambodia, we
decided to visit one of the world magnificent complex of temples – Angkor Wat
in Cambodia.
Exploring
Siem Reap (city next to Angkor Wat), we found this small town very
international – looks like whole world travel here to see Khmer centuries quiz.
Environment is very friendly for tourists – lots of cheap hostels, shops, restaurants,
cafes and bars, shops, and people - lot of backpackers, telling you the stories
of their travelling, smiley Cambodians, beautiful kids, selling you handcrafts
and souvenirs. Nightlife is much opened,
also friendly and quite safe. Cambodian national cuisine and drinks are cheap
and tasty as well.
After check
in in the hostel and quick breakfast, we find tuk-tuk (moto-taxi) driver and
start our discovering of Angkor Wat. Angkor Wat is the biggest Hindu temple
complex in the world (70 km by perimeter). Build in 12 century and dedicated to
Vishnu, then Buddhism, it remains the most valuable construction of Khmer
architecture. Greatness of complex with its detalization (ornaments of
battle-pictures, dancing apsaras Vishnu images – all around all the temples!),
perspectives and forms – that makes it gorgeous and unbelievable, that can
be build 9 centuries ago! Special atmosphere
and spirit is there, when you reach temples tops – stillness, relaxation and
fresh wind – that is what you find there, surrounded by beauty and antiquity. 
Once, run
away from mass of tourists we were founded by tropical rain in the middle of
temple – so we stay there as it's the only place with a roof as we didn’t want to
get wet. By the time rain stops, we found that we are the only ones in that
temple: Sounds of jungle, fresh air, beauty, and colors of dark brick after the
rain – that was simply unbelievable!
All temples
of Angkor are different, most exiting ones is Angkor Wat main temple, Angkor Tom
– temple with giant Buddha faces and Ta Phrom temple, mixed with century giant
trees, which became part of temple themselves, by the way, Tomb Rider Movie was
shot there.
Exploring all the temples took for us 2 days, on the 3rd
day we just see the Angkor at sunrise – that is really something magical that
everyone should experience.
Another
attraction in Cambodia that we visited was Tonle Sap Lake – floating village on the
river to the lake with about 3000 habitants. For tourist attraction beside
the village itself, located crocodiles, fish-farm and mangrove forests
(forests in half-water height) here. During the boat trip you will get through different
type of emotions: you face with extreme poverty of habitants, orphanage children,
living in the floating schools, but still with their happy faces that you can see along
the way. Cambodian children are ones of the most beautiful children I’ve seen
in my life. Tourists and organizations help this village with charity – to build
water-cleaning constructions, to support schools and minimal infrastructure.
This balance of poverty, smiles, charity and touristic attraction push you to
the deep thoughts.
So that was
our trip in Cambodia – different, antique, touristic… To be true, I expect from Cambodia something
more rural, maybe because of the increase of tourist interest to those places,
it became more civilized and transparent and I haven’t been prepared for this.
But the opportunity to feel majesty and beauty of Khmer civilizations is unique
in there, so… as I always like to say… “Buy a ticket – take the ride!” ;)
