We did not know what to expect while planning our visit to Cambodia and the more we researched the more we learned about the history of the Khmer people and Cambodia. Wow, this country has seen it all! If you aren't familiar with the history in the last 60 years, it is a very interesting study but we will not get into that here. These people really have seen it all, to say the least!
We planned a 5 day stay in Cambodia and our number one mission was to visit the ancient temples in the area, including the masterpiece, Angkor Wat, the largest religious monument on earth and even today it is still larger than the Vatican city. This place really took our hearts and gave us hours and hours of daydreaming, wandering around, admiring and amazing at the work that has been put into this ancient building.
I won't talk too much about this place as you really have to see it to experience the feeling you get while here. I have tried to capture the feelings and views we had while visiting this place and the surrounding area. Let's start off with the city of Siem Reap.
The sound; there is always a song being played, traditional instruments, singing, a drum beat, some kind of music all day long. Benjilynn and I wished we had better sound recording equipment because we could just listen to the recorded sound of this city everyday. There were so many times when we were rushing around and once we stopped and noticed the music in the background we were instantly relaxed, what a great soundtrack.
The smell; if you like the smell of a fireplace like we do, then you will like the aromas in this city. Every evening the wood stoves and bbq's are lit up and the smell was amazing and it did add to the brilliant colour in the sky for sunsets and sunrise.
The architecture and local design; this was very interesting, so many different type buildings from traditional khmer to thai, buddhist temples and what felt very out of place were the french/european style buildings with grand balconies. Very, very cool. Somthing else that really stood out to us was the design and style of the local tuk-tuks. They used a plain scooter with a bracket welded or bolted to the seat frame that acted as a trailer hitch. They then connected a carriage to the bike and towed their customers like a trailer. Incredibly smooth and comfortable ride. This was the most comfortable ride we have had in asia so far and so simple. I could not believe the things we saw being towed by a 115 cc scooter.
The temples; hopefully the pics speak for themselves but this was a great experience that we could visit everyday for months. Truly amazing and a must see in your life!
OK, enough of the jabber, here are some pics around town, starting with Pub Street, such a great environment to let loose! Check out some of these buildings...
We planned a 5 day stay in Cambodia and our number one mission was to visit the ancient temples in the area, including the masterpiece, Angkor Wat, the largest religious monument on earth and even today it is still larger than the Vatican city. This place really took our hearts and gave us hours and hours of daydreaming, wandering around, admiring and amazing at the work that has been put into this ancient building.
I won't talk too much about this place as you really have to see it to experience the feeling you get while here. I have tried to capture the feelings and views we had while visiting this place and the surrounding area. Let's start off with the city of Siem Reap.
The sound; there is always a song being played, traditional instruments, singing, a drum beat, some kind of music all day long. Benjilynn and I wished we had better sound recording equipment because we could just listen to the recorded sound of this city everyday. There were so many times when we were rushing around and once we stopped and noticed the music in the background we were instantly relaxed, what a great soundtrack.
The smell; if you like the smell of a fireplace like we do, then you will like the aromas in this city. Every evening the wood stoves and bbq's are lit up and the smell was amazing and it did add to the brilliant colour in the sky for sunsets and sunrise.
The architecture and local design; this was very interesting, so many different type buildings from traditional khmer to thai, buddhist temples and what felt very out of place were the french/european style buildings with grand balconies. Very, very cool. Somthing else that really stood out to us was the design and style of the local tuk-tuks. They used a plain scooter with a bracket welded or bolted to the seat frame that acted as a trailer hitch. They then connected a carriage to the bike and towed their customers like a trailer. Incredibly smooth and comfortable ride. This was the most comfortable ride we have had in asia so far and so simple. I could not believe the things we saw being towed by a 115 cc scooter.
The temples; hopefully the pics speak for themselves but this was a great experience that we could visit everyday for months. Truly amazing and a must see in your life!
OK, enough of the jabber, here are some pics around town, starting with Pub Street, such a great environment to let loose! Check out some of these buildings...
You would not think these shots were taken in Cambodia would you?
Check out these sexy tuk-tuks! These were so much fun and now I am thinking how can I tow a small RV with a dirt bike when I get home... LOL. We saw 6 people plus the driver in one of these carriages and everybody looked comfy! What a great design.
Check out these sexy tuk-tuks! These were so much fun and now I am thinking how can I tow a small RV with a dirt bike when I get home... LOL. We saw 6 people plus the driver in one of these carriages and everybody looked comfy! What a great design.
Check out the trailer this guy is hauling with his 115 cc scooter. It looks like a combination flat dec and tub trailer.
OK, now for the piece de resistance, the temples. We stayed at a great place called Siem Reap Rooms Guesthouse and they helped coordinte our tours to view the temples, the 5 am tuk-tuk for sunrise and the evening ride for sunset. They know the area and they make great recommendations for your level of adventure. They also make an amazing breakfast and can pack a lunch for your long days trekking the temples.
Now for the pics...
The first one is sunrise at 6 am.
Now for the pics...
The first one is sunrise at 6 am.
We then moved onto other temples in the area that all had their own personality, sense of spirituality or spookiness. We wished our kids were here to enjoy these places. Could you imagine having a halloween party in one of these places?
Benjilynn was fineally able to meet a wild monkey while at the Angkor Wat temple, she was thrilled! Can you tell?
So, that was our Siem Reap trip in Cambodia. I know we keep saying this but this place really was incredible and I hope you all can make plans to visit this beautiful place once in your lives.
We are leaving Cambodia today and are flying to Hanoi, Vietnam. Talk about some history! We will be calling Vietnam home for the next 2 months and will be keeping you all informed on the crazy places we are planning to visit there!
Go Travel!
And... another selfie for SK. Enjoy!
We are leaving Cambodia today and are flying to Hanoi, Vietnam. Talk about some history! We will be calling Vietnam home for the next 2 months and will be keeping you all informed on the crazy places we are planning to visit there!
Go Travel!
And... another selfie for SK. Enjoy!