It has always been my lifelong dream to see UNESCO heritage sites. So when the opportunity to travel to Siem at a budget fare came along I quickly jumped on the idea.
Angkor Wat in the most famous landmark of Cambodia. So significant it is that it's in their national flag. And that very understandable as it embodies everything about the country -their exquisite workmanship, their religion and traditions as well as their priorities or aspirations.
As told by our English speaking tour guides this is a monumental temple complex devoted to the gods. In its walls are detailed stone carvings that is comparable to a story book. I was just blown away. It explains why I visited it twice -upon arrival and before departure.
Whats in-store for you when you visit this ancient structures?Long stretch high walls enclosing sacred temples ,libraries and water bodies.
That's me standing at the entrance of one of the library flanking the west gate entrance.
Thats how the library looks from the entrance. And below is my view from the library. I must say every spot is camera worthy.
The king back then most likely had a grand entrance with its elephants and soldier tagging along.One can only imagine the huge crowd this place can contain from the spacious layout.I can't help marvel the human labor poured into this place as every inch of it is embellished.
Our tour guide told us that way back then it was beautiful beyond words as it was normal to have precious jewels under each statue and the ponds were well maintained. But looting and war and weathering took it's toll .
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Inside you'd see religious symbols encrypted in in every inch. Without modern tools back then and surpassing thousand of years surely it makes no brainer why it's a UNESCO heritage site.
A few misconceptions I had before I went here.
- that it was one storey temple complex
NAH!One Needs to come here with comfortable shoes and prescribed dress code as this trip entails a lot of climbing. If you're afraid of heights then you need to overcome it.In this sacred place be ready for exhilarating staircase upclimb
2.its consist of one temple. Grrr wrong again as there are close to 400plus temples that makes the Angkor Wat complex. And if you ask me which is the best I honestly couldn't say which as each has a unique attribute. And with confidence I say if you'd really seen the Angkor Wat then you'd devoted more than a day. For this I would advice you take a three day pass it you can.
Bring water too and put on sunblock if you come around July like I did. Bring a selfie stick and a tripod as well as every angle is social media worthy.
Yes it's inconvenient to be so covered in a humid day. True it expensive and tiring to do temple visit. But it's every penny and sweat worth it. This place has an unexplainable serenity. As I walked in alley I can't help imagine the effort poured into every inch. To be honest it was a humbling experience despite the fact I am no Hindu.I felt so tiny compared to it yet I felt some divinity in charge of my affair hence no need to take full control of my life. Most likely it explains why I also saw some monks in the area.
3.mega structures such as this are completed in a particular year. what a crazy idea indeed! It would take countless hands and years to complete this that I am sure.
So my final word about this place? Visit it while you can because you're youth will be gone before you knew it. I am convinced the rulers who commissioned this place mistakenly though their reign will be forever. Remember one can save mone for this trip but never the time and stamina for it
Pls check below link for the video version: