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Sunday, May 18, 2014

TRAVEL: A Glimpse of Ancient Angkor

Here are some photos of Ancient Angkor located in Siem Reap, Cambodia.

Angkor Wat - This is the most popular temple in Ancient Angkor and is also a UNESCO Heritage Site. This temple is quite huge and receives plenty of visitors throughout the day.


Bridge Leading to South Gate of Angkor Thom. These statues lined the bridge that lead to the gate of Angkor Thom. As you can see from the photo, the "heads" are new because the old ones had been decapitated by thieves and sold to artifact collectors.


Bayon, northern entrance. Bayon temple is the first temple upon entering the south gate of Angkor Thom. This temple is famous for its tower "faces."


Bayon. 



Elephant Terrace. From the north entrance of Bayon is the Elephant Terrace. I love the shady trees here.


Ta Prohm. This temple is a must-visit for Lara Croft fans. ;)


Angkor Wat at Sunrise. This temple is quite popular for sunrise watchers and photography enthusiast.



Ta Prohm



To visit Ancient Angkor Temples, one must get a special pass that costs $20 for day pass, $40 for 3 day pass and $60 for 7 day pass. This you can get from the main entrance before entering Angkor Wat. You must carry this pass with you at all times when visiting the temples because tourism officers will check it and you won't be allowed to enter if you don't have it. Pass is also not transferable because it includes your photo.



To maximize your visit, you can get your pass at 4:45pm so that you can visit the temples for free, with about an hour to roam around until closing time. If you happen to buy your ticket at an earlier time, say for example 1:00pm, that will count as one day already. During each day of your visit, the tourism officer will punch a hole in your pass to signify that you used it already.

Transportation: You can avail of your hotel's special tour and it may cost you around $12-20/ pax  but you get to ride a shuttle or bus. Price varies depending on hotel so expect to pay more if you're staying in a posh hotel. For DIY tour, you can just hire a "tuk tuk" for $12-15 and you can even lower the price if you know how to haggle. Just make sure that you have a map and know which temples you want to visit so as to save time. Or you can just ask your tuk tuk driver to take you to the small tour area that includes- Angkot Wat, Bayon, Elephant Terrace and Ta Prohm. The big tour covers- Ta Keo, Banteay Kdei, Phnom Bakheng, etc. It is better to research about the temples first before making the tour though. And for budget-conscious, you can rent a bicycle for only $1-2 /day.

Tip: Wear comfortable clothing, walking shoes, and bring lots of water and food (and umbrella/ hat just in case in rains). For the ladies, you can wear sleeveless top but make sure to bring a cardigan or shawl because some temples are strict when it comes to showing skin. You can also buy Guide Books from the sellers outside the temples. I got mine (Ancient Angkor by Michael Freeman and Claude Jacques) for $6 because my friend reminded me not to haggle too much. The book was first sold to me at $25 until we agreed on $6.

Curious about Khmer food? Please visit this link- Golden Coconut Restaurant.


*** photos taken using Lenovo S960

33 comments:

  1. I wanted to see this site too but I think I have to wait pa because my son prefers theme parks. Ang layo ng $25 to $6.

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    1. When the seller can't convince me to buy the book at $25, he said $10 na lang ... I haggled $5 sabi nya $8. Then I said $6, ayun ok daw. But then, we found out later on that the books were sold for $2 in the night market huhuhu ...

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  2. this is in our bucket list. can't wait to take our son, dues to cambodia and explore with him.

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  3. I would love to be able to visit this place with my family someday. We have a few friends who live in Cambodia, it'll be nice to visit them as well.

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  4. The pictures remind me of Angelina Jolie's Tomb Raider movie. :) looks so ancient there. I wonder how food tastes there. :)

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    1. Food is similar to Vietnam and Thailand since they are neighboring countries. Quite good, really. :)

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  5. Cambodia is on my bucket list! This place is amazingly beautiful...

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  6. I've been planning to visit Cambodia a few years back, before motherhood came knocking on my door. :) This place is still in my list of places to visit but not high in the priority list at the moment. Would love to see this place sometime.

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  7. We plan to go to Cambodia and your tips will come in handy. I am just waiting for the perfect promo fare 😉

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  8. wow! I wish I could visit this place too. Do we need Visa to travel to Cambodia, ba? Thanks!

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  9. Thanks for showing me a glimple of the Ancient Angkor! :D I've never been to any place outside of the Philippines that's why I enjoy reading travel blogs and seeing photos taken from the travel trips just like this one. It somehow gives me a bit of the feeling na parang nakapunta na rin ako sa lugar. :)

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  10. Okay...I need to set a trip to Cambodia soon. Looks like I am missing a lot! Adding Cambodia to my bucket list.

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  11. Lovely place to travel with the fambam! We'd love to visit it, too.

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  12. Wow I wanted to see Ancient Angkor in person too. I have read blogs about this place. Hoping I'll be able to travel to Cambodia soon.

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  13. Wow! I heard Cambodia is also rich in culture and exotic cuisine.
    Thanks for sharing a glimpse of their Heritage Site.

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    1. Exotic cuisine ... hmmm... we saw some grilled scorpions and crocodile meat. I was about to order crocodile meat but change my mind because we were told that they raise crocodile for its meat and skin (leather)...

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  14. I was supposed to go to Cambodia before I got preggers kaso hindi na natuloy. This is definitely on my bucket list.

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  15. The pictures look crisp and I was shocked that it was just taken by a phone camera! Galing!

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  16. Angkor Wat is on top of my bucket list, so I really appreciate the tips you gave here! I wish I can go visit Cambodia soon!

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  17. My friend and I have plans visiting Cambodia soonest. And I can't wait for that time. I still need to wean my baby and prepare him not always with mama.

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  18. I always marvel at structures like this. They look so amazing. Would love to go there someday.

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  19. Great pictures! I still have no travel plans in the near future but this place is going to be in my list :)

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  20. Wow it's really reminiscent of Temple Run.

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  21. so beautiful! i will have to save money na talaga so the 3 of us can travel soon!

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  22. Galing, it will be nice to be here with the family, haven't been to a historical place for quite so long.

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  23. Awww, so nice! I hope to visit that place someday too and take loads of photos!

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  24. a perfect place indeed.. hope i can visit this place too

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  25. Alas, visiting this place remains a dream for now but I'm still hoping though.

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  26. This is one of my bucket list. Parang Tomb Raider lang :)

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  27. I've heard that these are some of the most beautiful and historic temples around.

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  28. My sister went to Angkor last year. I also want to go but I gave birth to my second child. Siguro when they get a little older, I'll take them there.

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