SIEM REAP TEMPLE EXPERIENCE

A sudden burst of airline rushed through me as I set foot in Siem Reap. I have heard ungodly stories of Cambodia and the ruthlessness with which the Khmer Rouge ruled the country. Even though they had recently been ousted from power, the Khmer Rouge left the population in utter devastation and the infrastructure in ruin. Knowing this, it's difficult to say what makes Siem Reap such a special place. Perhaps it's the primal energy contained in a place that recently escaped persecution. Or maybe even that the land on which this city rests is holy! Whatever the reason, Siem Reap would become an epic prelude to one of the most incredible places on this planet...the Ancient City of Angkor!

The weather was muggy and airs dusty as many of the roads are unpaved. Navigating our two-wheeler out of town towards Angkor was a heart-pounding endeavor as traffic is very erratic with little organization! Upon entering the complex, we came upon a fork. You can either go right, left or straight ahead toward the stunning Angkor Wat which is perched behind a vast, beautifully manicured lawn. It's a surreal, dream-like structure, with its phallic pillars and gloomy grey coloration. It embodies the Khmer era beautifully! It was so striking that we decided to save it for the last day and

turned right.

The complex is divided into 4 main sections, Eastern Baray, Western Baray, Angkor Thom and Angkor Wat, with lots of temples scattered in between and on the outskirts. Stay there a month and you still won't see everything. Your first stop was Prasat Kravan! A relatively small 10th century temple consisting of 5 reddish Brick Towers on a common terrace. The temple was dedicated to Vishnu and built in 921 AD. We took some pictures, explored the area briefly and carried on.

Riding along towards Eastern Baray, we unexpectedly came upon a little lake called Srah Srang. The sunlight, reflecting gently off the still water, caught our eyes and put us in a hypnotized trance as we drew near. We couldn't help but stop and sit for a moment, captivated by the lake's peaceful beauty! There was something truly special there as little Cambodian kids bathed and played with each other on the banks. Little shouts of childish laughter, the fresh scent of the murky waters and warm sunlight touching my shoulders, I was awash with an overwhelming sensation of where in the world I currently sat!

Finished, we decided to grab some lunch at the little market just across the street from the lake. Not the best food and grossly overpriced, we ate there anyways as our options were limited.

Banteay Kdei was next and proved to be our introduction to how nature interacts with the man-made beauty of the Angkor structures. It's smaller and less complex than some of the other temples, but it certainly did not seem small to me! Rubble and scattered stone blocks litter the entry way. A massive tree greets you as you enter. Its powerful, yet graceful roots meander along the entry way path, implying who the rightful owner of this temple is! The temple structures are contained within two successive enclosure walls and consist of two concentric galleries from which protrude two massive towers. It's a bit dilapidated due to faulty construction and poor quality limestone, but considering it's still standing after 900 years, I think the Khmer did a pretty good job of putting it together!

   Eastern Baray is a gigantic section of Angkor. Trying to see it all in one day is pointless! Needless to say we were only able to get through about half of it. But on that day, I was awestruck by an absolutely compelling temple. As I mentioned earlier, aside from the genius architecture and the metaphysical wonder of Angkor, there seems to be a beautiful symbiosis between the natural and man-made structures. Ta Phrom, for instance, blew me away! The monstrous trees that are hundreds of years old sit directly on top of the temples with their roots cascading down to the ground, spreading like giant tentacles, putting their claim on whatever happens to be within their grasp. I have never in my life seen anything like this before!

Anyhow, physically exhausted from pedaling all day and emotionally drained from experiencing such magnificent power, we decided to call it a day and return back to town. What we would uncover later that evening was nothing short of exhilarating. After a fulfilling dinner, my buddy and I decided to grab a few drinks at a local bar. It was close to midnight when we got there and what we found was an electricity in the air that rippled through me with giant force. I quickly realized that I was not the only one who felt the intensity of the rich history and succulent flavor of Angkor. All the chatter was infused with passionate accounts of what everyone had experience that day! The dance floor was steamy! Both young and old moved to the rhythm of music, fueled by the intense excitement of finding themselves surrounded by such an opulent piece of history. Everyone was open and friendly and we remained until the wee hours of the morning, engaged in conversation, drinking, laughing and dancing!

I didn't think there could be an equal to what we encountered the first day but it just kept getting better! We woke up early with no ill effects from the previous night's debauchery and headed straight for Angkor. With a little more knowledge about the terrain and energized by the previous day's events this would be the biggest day for exploration! We saw all the major temples of Eastern Baray, including Preah Khan, Nak Pean and Ta Keo. All were magnificent and very impressive, especially Ta Keo. Ta Keo was built in 968 AD, and what was truly striking is just how large it appears when in fact it is quite small. This is an example of the Khleang style, using elaborate perspective effects and absolutely no carving to give it that massive look. Just incredible!

What most people think of when it comes to Angkor is Angkor Wat. If you haven't noticed, that temple has been mentioned only once up to now! Nature is what brings this kingdom together and puts it over the top of most other historical sites on this planet. As we rode our bicycles from temple to temple, I cannot even begin to tell you how many times we stopped in sheer awe and amazement! We were in awe not because of an incredible piece of architecture or a world wonder, but because of simple things like rice fields, streams, the sky, the sounds of the jungle around us, even the tropical rains that swoop in with no warning had a strangely exhilarating appeal. At times, it was magical to ride alongside and meet locals who greet you kindly and are more than happy to share with you a bit of the wonder that Angkor truly is! To hire a taxi would be to miss out on so much as the true magic of Angkor is to be uncovered in a simple, squeaky bicycle ride!

Angkor Thom, meaning the Great City is guarded by Victory gate on the southern entrance! The bridge leading up to the gate is lined by intricately carved demon statues. As creepy as that sounds, the rustic beauty is striking! And being that it's a central passage way into Angkor Thom, you will also see many locals and tourist pass through on bicycles, tuk-tuks and everything in between!

Many people think of Angkor Thom as a massive temple, when in fact it's an entire city! In the center of this once sprawling metropolis stands Bayon, the most famous temple within city limits. It's most recognizable feature is the main terrace where giant, peaceful stone faces cluster around its' central peak! The temple is rustic and looks truly ancient. Massive boulders, giant pillars and intricately carved towers are everywhere. Once you step inside, you are sent back in time and the outside world ceases to exist. We wandered the maze of hallways for hours, playing archaeologists and inspecting the beautiful carvings on the walls. The overall architecture of the place is also a treat! It is perfectly symmetrical. When inside, certain key spots allow you to look onto the main terrace providing you with unobstructed views of the faces and other peculiar points of interest that you otherwise would not have noticed. Really taking the time to explore this temple will give you a sense of what king Jayavarman VII valued most.

BAYON TEMPLE

Kissing the Stone Face in Bayon, Angkor Thom

The city took us the rest of the day to explore, but most of our time was spent uncovering Bayon. With the last moments of the day, I found myself sharing a profound moment with a very good friend. While sitting at the top of the beautifully peaceful Bayon, with the sun descending to the backdrop of the jungle, a myriad of peculiar jungle sounds permeated the air. The weather was muggy, but seemed to envelope you as a warm down blanket would, not too hot and certainly not too cold...perfect. Little Cambodian kids rustling at the base of the temple with their parents nearby. There seemed to be an energy that electrified the air! Knowing that tomorrow would be our last day there, we sat until the sun finally set, sharing our hopes for the future and dreams about what's to come. It was truly one of the highlights of the entire Southeast Asian Tour!

Many people say that Angkor Wat must be seen at sunrise so we woke up bright and early, at 5 AM, hired a taxi and sped off. I'll be honest, seeing Angkor Wat in the dark is quite different and very spooky! It's already a gloomy structure, but when lit by the howling moon, that side of it's demeanor is magnified ten-fold! The phrase "the ghosts come out at night" is very appropriate to describe the feeling. A millennium worth of wars, strife, and torment is present there and you can feel it with the force of a bone-chilling thud! The entrance to the temple is the first causeway and historic accounts state that it signifies the movement from hell to earth. I'd say that's appropriate!

Anyhow, by the time the sun began its ascent, the sky was covered in clouds and the effect of a magnificent sunrise was dulled a bit. The main terrace quickly began to fill with tourists. Photographers, tour guides, families and little Cambodian kids selling nick-knacks littered courtyard, making it difficult to soak up the energy of this famous temple. It was almost like being in Disneyland. Nevertheless, we took our time exploring this "temple City," which is what the words "Angkor Wat" actually means. To describe how amazing this temple is, I feel it's best to draw on a quote from Antonio da Magdalena of Portugal who visited the temple in 1586 and consequently became one of the first westerners to do so. This is what he said. It "is of such extraordinary construction that it is not possible to describe it with a pen, particularly since it is like no other building in the world. It has towers and decoration and all the refinements which the human genius can conceive of." The fact that this temple has suffered very little damage and was nicely restored in the 19th century allows me to attest to those beautiful words. It truly is an incredible structure and surely worth a visit wherever in the world you are coming from!

THE ANCIENT TEMPLE OF ANGKOR

The Ancient Temples of Angkor

The air travel from Phnom Penh to Seim Reap took just 45 minutes and another 15 to 20 minutes by bus to Angkor Wat. It was wonderful to see how the ancient Indians brought religion, a legal system, a script, astronomy and more, about 1000 years ago to this region. I had read about the miss management of restoration work by the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) at Angkor Wat. Apparently the Indian Government, under Indira Gandhi had agreed to support the restoration work under the DRK government in Cambodia. The ASI apparently used inappropriate material and port land cement and used ill trained labor, causing damage to the structures. The ASI, however, was working under severe constraints during the time of the civil war when both building material and labor were scarce and there was the ever-present threat of war making working conditions most difficult.

We did see a large placard at Angkor Wat near the famous "Churning of the milk" bass relief sculptures, that repairs and corrective work was on to correct for earlier incorrect restoration work. A couple of ASI staffers, who were with us, were quite indignant about reference to miss management and did talk about the difficult conditions under which the work had been carried out during the civil war. They also said that the work of that period, late 70′s and 80′s, cannot be compared with modern-day restoration practices as major advancements had taken place in restoration techniques. Later on during our visit to the Ta Prom temple, were restoration work was on by ASI, the ASI staff took pains to explain how locally available stones and resins from the trees surrounding the temple were being used in the restoration work, just as they would have over 700 years ago.

                                                                     The Ta Prom temple was almost completely taken over by forests. Many structures had giant trees growing out of them. It made for great and fascinating viewing. This is a very popular temple made unique by the ingress of the forest and the curious juxtaposition of man-made structures and the natural forest, both giant structures. The ASI staff took us through the restoration effort going on at the "Hall of Dances". Considering the state of ruins this hall was in, it did seem a mammoth task to restore. The objective of restoration will be to restore the structures just enough, so that viewers can see partially the glorious structures of the past and just enough to prevent it from total disintegration, when it will be lost forever. .

It was interesting to know that during the reign of the Khmer Kings there was no written records left behind or traceable; even for the reign of Suryavarman 2, the builder and patron of the Angkor Wat city and temple. It was only through painstaking research and breaking of the codes of inscriptions on later temples that the complete linear age and accomplishments of some of the Kings could be unraveled. It is fascinating to read how the jig saw puzzle was put together by groups of dedicated professionals. Some names referred to in literature include,Henri Mouhot, a French Expedition lead by Ernest Doudari de Legree,Dutchman Hendrik Kern who was the first to decipher the Sanskrit inscriptions found in Cambodia and the two Frenchmen, Aguste Barthe and A Bergaigne,who are credited with furthering the field of Khmer epigraphy which lead to the translations of 1200 inscriptions relating to the genealogy of the Khmer Kings. Hats off to these explorers and archaeologists. These individuals reconstructed a bygone age in Cambodia (700 to 1200 AD) and helped build world opinion for the restoration and preservation of these great treasures of humanity.

Each of the four temples we visited, had distinctly different features and each was appealing in its own way. The Bayon Temple in Angkor Thom was characterized by huge images of Bodhisattvas,as this was originally a Mahayana Buddhist temple built by Jayavarman 7th. The temple was converted into a Hindu temple under the reign of Jayavarman 8th and eventually converted into a Theravada Buddhist Temple. Jayavarman 8th was reported to be anti-Buddhist to the extreme and is said to have defaced or removed most of the Buddhist images from the temple. We could see this at the Bayon temple where at several places only recesses remained where earlier Buddhist images would have once been.

       There is an interesting theory about the fall of the Khmer Empire. During the period when the Khmer Empire expanded and established itself as Khambudesa, the Kings were deemed incarnations of Gods as for instances Suryavarman 2nd considered himself as the incarnation of Lord Vishnu. They, therefore had unquestioning loyalty and devotion of the people. Their advanced knowledge of water management techniques also lead to prosperity and the ability to carry out gainful trade. During the influence of Theravada Buddhism, the link between the Divine and the King was snapped; it became more difficult to harness the people for major projects and with the ability to manage water also declining, a gradual decline in affluence and a consequent decline of power and authority of the Dynasty took place. The Khmer Kingdom was gradually pushed down to Phnom Penh before dying away.

While the Angkor Wat temple is the most talked about and also the representative symbol of Cambodia, it was the other temples the Bayon, Ta Prohm and Bantey Streiy which caught my fancy a lot more. You explore experience and discover the beauty and fascination of these great structures in your own unique way. Even with limited knowledge of the archaeological significance of these monuments, you do intuitively take to the structures in your own way and discovered them in your own way.

SIEM REAP TOWN IS THE PLACE FOR YOUR HOLIDAY

Angkor Wat Vacation - Find Your Cheapest Travel Holiday Vacations.

The town of Siem Reap, in northern Cambodia, is the primary access point for the Angkor Archaeological Park. The name Siem Reap literally means "Siam Defeated". These days, however, the only rampaging hordes are the tourists heading to the Angkor Archaeological Park. This once quaint village has become the largest boom town and construction site in Cambodia. It is quite laid-back and a pleasant place to stay while touring the temples. Since Siem Reap is a major tourist destination, prices in some instances are higher than elsewhere in Cambodia. Expect to receive almost constant offers for motodop and tuk-tuk rides, along with everything else which drivers may be able to offer to you.

Angkor Wat Archaeological Park, located in northern Cambodia, is one of the most important archaeological sites in Southeast Asia. Stretching over some 400 square kilometers, including forested area, Angkor Archaeological Park contains the magnificent remains of several capitals of the Khmer Empire of the 9th to the 15th centuries, including the largest per-industrial city in the world. The most famous are the Temple of Angkor Wat and, at Angkor Thom, the Bayon Temple with its countless sculptural decorations.

Angkor Archaeological Park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1992. At the same time, it was also placed on the List of World Heritage in Danger due to looting, a declining water table and unsustainable tourism. Angkor itself has no accommodations and few facilities; the nearby town of Siem Reap is the tourist hub for the area.

The temples of Angkor Wat Pictures are highly symbolic structures. The foremost Hindu concept is the temple-mountain, where the temple is built as a representation of the mythical Mount Meru: this is why so many temples, including Angkor Wat itself, are surrounded by moats, built in a mountain-like pyramidal shape and topped by precisely five towers, representing the five peaks of Mount Meru. There was also a political element to it all: most kings wanted to build their own state temples to symbolize their kingdom and their rule. Located six kilometers north of Siem Reap, Angkor Wat is one of the largest of Khmer monuments. Built around the first half of 12th century by King Suryavarman II, the temple's balance, composition and beauty make it one of the finest monuments in the world. The sight of the grand monument towering over the landscape is breath-taking at any time of day. However, to maximize the effect it is suggested that the first trip to Angkor Wat be made in optimal lighting conditions, usually around one- two PM. Sunrise at Angkor Wat is a also great sight to witness.

Be sure to pick up your free Siem Reap Angkor Visitors Guide and the equally free and useful Siem Reap Pocket Guide from your hotel/guesthouse. It contains lots of info on Siem Reap and the Angkor Archaeological Park, including hotel/bar/restaurant/shop info, travel info, and maps. For the eco-sensitive tourist, check out "Stay another Day: Cambodia," a detailed guide with local spots that support the environment and community.

Angkor is hot and sticky throughout the year, but the peak season is November to February, when the weather is dry and temperatures are coolest (25-30°C). The flip side is that the temples are packed, especially around Christmas/New Year's, and hotel rates are at their highest. March to May is brutally hot, with temperatures reaching 40°C. June to October is the rainy season, and outlying temples and the roads leading to them can turn into quagmires of mud. However, this is also when the temples are at their quietest, and it's still often possible to do a good half-day round of sightseeing before the rains start in the afternoon.

ANGKOR NATIONAL MUSEUM

There is more to Siem Reap, Cambodia than the Angkor Temples

The Angkor National Museum is located on the road to Angkor Wat at Vithei Charles De Gaulle, Phnom Salakanseng, Siem Reap. The Angkor National would be classified as one of Cambodia's premier museum sites.

Upon entering this very modern museum through the foyer the visitor is ushered in a briefing room where there is a screen presentation of what the museum has to offer. It sets the scene for the upcoming journey back into an ancient civilization, that of the Khmer.

Leaving the briefing room, the visitor enters the Gallery of 1000 Buddha Images. This spectacular room displays rare Buddha statues and images from all periods in time and would be one of most prestigious collections you could imagine. There are images in niches around the interior walls which are highlighted by the colouring and lighting used.

The floor displays are highlighted by an eye catching antique Buddhist statue.

This gallery alone was worth the price of admission, let alone the splendour of the other seven galleries.

There are a total of seven other galleries which highlight this ancient civilization by both display and video presentations. The video presentations are very well done and appreciated by visitors who possibly had no knowledge of the achievements of the ancient Khmer empire. The galleries blend one into the other after leaving the Gallery of the 1000 Buddha, with the first two concentrating on the Pre-Angkor period of the civilization, religion and beliefs. The roles of the Great Khmer kings are honored in the next gallery with the 4 kings who formed the Khmer kingdom and who also presented the ancient cities of Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom to the world.

The next two galleries gave an insight into architecture and engineering tents of the two cities and give the visitor an educational background which would enhance their experience when visiting the Angkor complex. There is a large scale model of the Angkor temple area which gives the visitor a useful reference if viewed before their trip to the temples. The next gallery outlines the use of stone inscriptions to record how people lived in ancient Khmer times. The final gallery tastefully painted in earth colors blends in with the displays of Ancient costume.

To complete the museum experience, the souvenir shop has a selection of genuine Cambodian arts and crafts available for purchase.

For those whose knowledge of Khmer culture had been limited to the Angkor temples, this museum is an excellent background resource to visitors.

SIEM REAP PROVINCE OF CAMBODIA

SIEM REAP PROVINCE OF CAMBODIA

            Siem reap is the gateway to the temple of Angkor, Cambodia spiritual and cultural heartland. It was quiet sleepy back water until a few years ago and even now, in the midst of a tourism boom, it remains a charming town with rural qualities. Old French shop house, shady tree-lined boulevards and a gentle winding river are remnant of the past, while five star hotels, air-conditioned buses and international restaurant are pointers to the future. There is a gold rush in siem reaps: hotel going up every month, guesthouse and restaurant every week, Siem reapolinos it is thankfully not, but if developers have their way it will certainly be a very different town in years to come. Tourism is lifeblood of siem reap. The world has finally woken up to Angkor and this little town is set for big, big change.

            Siem reap is just north of the western extent of the Tonle Sap lake. The name siem reap mean is (Siamese Defeated), hardly the most subtle name for a major city near Thailand and touch ironic given that Thailand ultimately defeated Cambodia, and controlled siem reap and Angkor from 1794-1907.   

Siem reap is the great place to relaxing for several day and many visitors end up staying a week, thanks to a good range of facilities and the world most magnificent temple slap-bang on the doorstep. Angkor is the place to be savoured, not rushed and siem reap is the perfect place from which to   plan your adventure.

The thing you do at Siem reap town of Cambodia is:

• Visiting All  great temple in siem reap
• Study about traditional and culture of Cambodian
• Visit countries side how to rice farm, silk farm
•  Visit Night Market and buy some product of Cambodia
•  Tasting some Traditional Khmer foods and cooking our Khmer foods.