A place every traveler should experience.

Where to go:

Angkor National Park (info)

Location:

Siem Reap, Cambodia (map)

Cost to Experience:

$30-150 USD per person, this includes Taxi (Tuk-Tuk) service into the park and to all the sites. (accommodation link)

Recommended Lodging and Tour Booking:

http://www.agoda.com/asia/cambodia/siem_reap/steung_siem_reap_hotel.html (hotel info)

Useful links and how to get there:

http://www.talesofasia.com/cambodia-overland.htm

http://www.vietnam720.com/travel-tips/how-to-get-to-cambodia-from-vietnam/
                                 
http://www.myangkorguide.com/angkor-transport/getting-around-angkor/

http://www.theangkorguide.com/
                                                        http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Asia/Cambodia/Khett_Siem_Reab/Angkor_Wat-       1202517/TravelGuide-Angkor_Wat.html

My Experience:

A few weeks ago I took a 3 week trip to South East Asia and had the opportunity to visit the eastern region of Cambodia. Like most people who visit Cambodia for the first time, my main reason was to check out the Ancient Khmer Kingdom of Angkor Wat . I had for some time, a curiosity to see if I would be as impressed with seeing Angkor in person as I had been seeing it on TV and in Films. Anybody see Tomb Raider? Yup, much of the action in that movie was filmed in Angkor.

There is a popular saying about seeing it for the first time. It goes "See Angkor and Die" and although I wasn't quite cramping up with chest pains after first sight, I can tell you that I was definitely moved and a bit in awe when I walked into the temples for the first time.

I've been to Ruins and temple areas before in my travels and I think what makes Angkor so memorable is that unlike most heritage sites, you can actually climb on top and inside of the ruins and really explore it from the inside. You get to really take in all the various plant life and trees that seem to coexist inside of the crumbling ruins, many of them clinging to the actual structure of several temples like it was part of the original design!

Like many Ancient flourished societies, the Khmer people carved many glyphs on top of and inside of the temples which are referred to as "Bas-Reliefs" These pictorials all tell some kind of story of the daily activities and important events that unfolded, during the reign of the Khmer Empire.












The precise detailing of the architecture will amaze you, the ancient technology of carving sandstone and assembling it into something that has lasted for centuries is still something that modern day man is trying to replicate! You will see many shrines (many of which are actually carved into the temples themselves, including faces on the exterior) and figure heads, where monks pay their respects to the Hindu and Buddhist deities and royalty.















Along many of the jungled paths you will encounter musicians playing ceremonial Khmer music, adding to the ambience of this ethereal Kingdom. You will also see many wild monkeys and elephants walking about! Even for the outdoor enthusiast who enjoys a nice hike, climbing through the Temples in sweltering temperatures, (sometimes upward into 98F!) will challenge you in ways you never thought. Please make sure to bring plenty of water, an open mind and dress in light clothing. You will not be disappointed!

The region of Angkor Wat (which comprises some 400+ Kilometers of ruins and temples) generally takes 2-5 days to thoroughly explore. There is a required entry fee for Non-Cambodians of $20 USD a day and you can also purchase 3-5 day passes at a slightly discounted rate.

For more information on the Angkor Wat temple area and how to get there, I provided a few links above to some of my favorite websites and guide books. Happy Exploring!