"Travel broadens the mind"
That is a reason why I choose tourism as my career as well as traveling is in my blood. Studying about a new destination or a new culture always satisfy my heart. Indeed, listening and learning new things is the best way for me to live fully.
When I travel to a new land, even in Vietnam, the culture there always has something new for me to discover. Therefore, when I have opportunity to go abroad, to a absolutely new culture, my itchy feet never want to stop. Although Cambodia is close to Vietnam, it has a different custom, a different culture as well as a different architecture. So the trip to Angkor opened my eyes and took my breath thanks to its enormous breath-taking constructions.
I visit Angkor when I know nothing about this place except information in history books. I started my trip with a eager heart to a new land so I chose the road trip with a ambition to see as many corners of this beautiful country as possible.
I and my friends flew from Hue to Saigon and start our road trip to Siem Riep at 5:00 in the morning. We did not need visa because we are ASEAN citizens, so we got stamps at Moc Bai Port. There were many transport cars from casinos which can lead us directly to, but it is not our cup of tea.
After a lunch at a small local restaurant where good local food was served, we stopped at an old bridge for a rest.
I was surprised of this bridge when I knew that it is more than 1000 years old. Kampong Kdei is the name of this bridge. I could have missed this if I had flew to Siem Riep. The bridge was built in 12th century with laterite which helps it has a race with heartless time. At two end of the bridge stand sculptures of nine-head naga (snake). Naga is very popular in Indian - related culture when they are holy animals in Hinduism. The nine-head naga may present 9 river mouths of Mekong river.
Heading to Siemriep, we passed by Tonle Sap, the largest fresh water lake in Southest Asia. This place is not home of Khmer but also Vietnamese people who stayed after the War against Khmer Rouge 1975 - 1985. However, they do not have a good life here when most of them are living with underprivileged conditions.
Siemriep welcomed us in the evening so we planned to visit Angkor complex early the following day. Because I went there in April, the temperature is very hot then. I was recommended to visit Angkor early for cool and beauty of sunrise.
I have to say, the beauty of Angkor in the morning never betray our effort of getting up early. There were many monkeys there and we was warned that monkey could take our camera and belongings. I took my time to visit different parts of Angkor complex: remarkably Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom and Ta Prohm Temple.
Angkor Wat
Angkor Wat was built in 12th century under reign of Suryavarman II, in the area of 162 hectares. Therefore, it is huge and takes time to visit all. I could not believe how big it is and how many people were here to build a spectacular construction like this. Stand in front of its high buildings, I felt I was so tiny comparing to ambition of humans.
The 5 towers with one in the center and four in the corners are also the symbol of Cambodian national flag. The towers were built with three levels. The highest one is very hard to climb up because a steep stairs. This made people climb up and down without backing to the temple. Nowadays, wooden stairs are set up for visitors can get there easier.
I am very impressed by the materials of Angkor Wat. It was built with sandstone which is soft and easy to be cut. However, during 9 centuries, it still stands. It is explained that the water from surrounding moat helps its foundation strong, which does not exist for Bayon in Angkor Thom. Because Angkor Wat was built as a Hindu temple which worship Vishnu - the god of conservation, its motif and decor was influenced by Hindu religious stories.
When I looked at the relievo of dancer Apsara, I felt like she is living and dancing for the respect of holy land.
The Angkor Wat was later used to worship Buddhism as Hinduism was not popular in Khmer community. However, there is a connection between Vishnu and Buddha when people believe that Buddha is the 9th embody of Vishnu. Moreover, Vishnu is always the protector for Khmer and I believe that they are always protected.
Angkor Thom and Bayon
While Angkor Wat was a temple for God Vishnu, Angkor Thom was a ancient capital of Khmer Empire. It was built in the area of 9 square kilometres. Because it was a city, it has many constructions with Bayon temple as a center. As a result, I visit Bayon as visit the center of Angkor Thom.
When I got Bayon, I felt like I was being observed by supernatural when I saw many faces on towers of the temple. Indeed, there are 216 faces on 54 towers of this complex. Each of them has their own characteristics and they were impressively made by artisans. I can not imagine how they could fit all enormous sandstone rocks together to build up a breath-taking construction like this. Besides, statues and relievo are the press to visitors like me.
There is a special thing I heard from my local guide that in all faces, there is only one smile face. They call it Smile of Angkor. I love that name and agree with it when I see the smile. It is not a full smile but it is like hidden smile. In my opinion, it is hidden charm of Khmer, hidden charm of a forgotten empire. Here is me in front of Smile of Angkor. I did not have hidden smile, I had a full smile of joy of learning.
Ta Prohm Temple
This place impressed me not because of its size but the combination of building and tree, of man-made and nature. Indeed, Ta Prohm Temple owns a mysterious beauty which makes it a must-see destination in Angkor complex.
I think many of us can recognize this tree and corner which appear in movie Tomb Raider. As a result, most of visitors want to have a photo shot over here. I did not want to line up for a long queue posing so I loved enjoying more in this mystery.
Individually, I see the tree and buildings fighting for their survival, and that war creates a unique design which can not be found anywhere else.
During the glory of Khmer Empire, Ta Prohm was a temple to honor Rayavarman VIII royal family from 1189. In which gems and diamonds were engraved on wall to memorize Emperor's mother. However, all of them were stolen during the war against Burmese and Thai.
I was told that the trees hugging constructions grows from seeds which are eaten by a kind of bird. The birds brought seeds from far to here and it was start for the war of trees and rocks.
To travel among the area, we used shuttle bus because the complex is too large. To travel to some other parts, we walk along a green forest. Although it was hot and moisture, the landscape treated us well.
The trip to Angkor - a world of mystery taught me much about history and architecture. I have a comparison to some same age constructions in Vietnam which gives me a perspective of history of Southeast Asia. The empires of Khmer, Cham, Vietnamese, Thai, Burmese, Malais were in the connection and stream of history.
My trip continued with other activities of food, plays and visit Phnom Penh. However, the impression that Angkor left in me so much and I know that Angkor still have a lots for me to discover. Angkor, I will be back!
