Siem Reap, Cambodia: home to the temples of Angkor

I don't know when it started, perhaps it was the national geographic book with its huge pictures of the temples, or even Disney's Jungle Book. I mean who didn't want to find an abandoned temple full of monkeys?! Whatever it was- I was eager to see the Temples of Angkor in person. I wanted to see the huge faces of Bayon, the trees reclaiming their land over the stones, and the temple of Angkor Wat as the sun rises. Even though Siem Reap, the city next to the temple complex is a days drive from where we were in Thailand, we decided to trek across the country leave our car at the boarder and spend a glorious 24 hours in Cambodia. At the boarder we decided to get express visas online which cost a little extra but was worth it as the hustlers will charge crazy fees and lie to get as much out of you as possible. Since it was our first time we figured we would avoid it by printing our own at an internet cafe. As we approached the boarder on foot we realized how confusing this place can be. Not only did everyone want to help you but they all seemed to tell you different things.

*a gas station!*

Because we had limited time and didn't want to waste any of it we hired a driver for the 24 hours we were there and it worked great for us. When I went back with my husband later the boarder was very cleaned up and organized. Maybe we just went at the right time but we walked up the visa office with our application and we got our visa within 5 minutes and that was it! The government now even provides a free bus for tourists to the local bus and taxi station which is really helpful. From there you only have two or so hours until you reach Siem Reap. If you plan it right you can even get there in time for the sunset!

It is funny how hard I will work to see the sunrise and sunset on a trip. At home getting me out of bed before the sun is nearly impossible but put me in another country and a 4am alarm is nothing!

Once Jaims, J and I all arrived in Siem Reap we found a nice little hotel and then went straight to the temple to get our passes for the following day which also allowed us in to see the sunset that night! We followed the crowds up to a temple on the hill and watched as the sun fell over the Khmer Empire. Despite the large number of people it was remarkably peaceful. We finished the night with a fish foot massage, in other words we paid to put our feet in a pool of water as fish ate off our dead skin. It was nasty! I only lasted 10 seconds. Jaims and J fought through the giggles and made it to a minute. They are so brave and now free of dead foot skin! Oh well I will just have to live with my dead skin. After a few fruit smoothies we went to bed in preparation for the next morning- Sunrise of the Angkor Wat!!!!

*yes Jaims is stunning at 5am- I wish I could say the same for myself*

I cannot express how worth it it is to wake up early for those special hours as the sun fills the sky. We decided to climb to the highest point we could reach on the temple- which at the time was pretty high as there was no tape or security on the main temple. I sat there on that massive structure built hundreds of years ago, in silence and pondered the majestic potential of man. More than history I love beauty and how through out time man has sought to beautify his surroundings. Sometimes it makes me feel small and useless but then I remember that my life is not over and I still have much to contribute to this world. Although I doubt my contribution will be in the form of a compound or new empire, I hope my influence and love will carry, on passed to others for generations to come. I love the strength and determination of Angkor and am grateful for all of the many organizations and countries who have contributed to its restoration and preservation.

*Beware these little cuties are sometimes little stinkers*