May 7th, 2013 -- Day 4 -- Waters, of Lilies and Mud

On our last touring day in Cambodia we visited another temple outside Angkor area called Beng Mealea (literally meaning River of Lilies). The temple is about 90 minutes drive away from the city. A local guide who speaks good English offered himself and took us climbing and hiking all around the temple area. My friends commented that this was by far the best temple visit in our entire trip.

In the afternoon, we visited the Tonle Sap (known to me as the South East Asia's largest fresh water lake). To my disappointment, it was the dry season and we have to pay 20USD per head for the boat ride to see the muddy water of the river (and the lake). Also, once we were in the center of the lake, the boat drivers asked if we would like to do charity for the children of the lake, who have shown themselves to be very capable at operating a basin (for a boat) to ask for "donation". I did not have fun there because I was greatly disgusted by the thought that a once great kingdom had such failing education as the children believe begging to be a licit and prideful source of income.

We left Cambodia on the next day by an early flight.

May 6th, 2013 -- Day 3 -- of Kings and Religion

It costs 20USD for a one-day-pass to all Angkor area temples. There were too many for anyone to see in a day, so our Cambodian driver recommended the few major ones, and I embarked on my usual treasure hunt after details that may be missed by many.

We visited Prasat Banteay Srei, Ta Prohm, Prasat Bayon, and Angkot Wat, in that order. While we expected a beautiful sunset at Angkor Wat, rain came near the evening and the sun hid behind clouds all the way till nightfall.

The temples and what I remembered of the driver's brief introductions implied that the ancient Kings of Cambodia were either Buddhist or Hindu. During their reigns, they highlighted only importance of their own religion. I recall the story of a Hindu king, while maintaining the main body of a Buddhist temple, made sure that all faces of the Buddha were removed (be it on statue or wall carvings).

The walls of the temple were carved with figures depicting daily lives of the Cambodian people during the time of construction as well as portraits glamorising bravery of the King and his troops at war. Such details amazed me while, at the same time, leading me to wonder why not many rulers of great kingdoms in the past are peace-loving. It puzzles me further that some of the kings were Buddhist, followers of a religion which teaches peace and respect for all life-forms.

Prasat Banteay Srei was recognised as an Angkor world heritage in 1992. Its stones were blood red, and made the sky seem bluer than blue.

Ta Prohm is famous because Tomb Raider filmed some of its shots here. I believe Ta Prohm's stones must have been white once, and its walls were lined with intricate carvings of floral and faunal patterns. This is also where we found Buddha carvings removed.

Prasat Bayon must have used the same stones as the Ta Prohm, as their colours are quite similar. The temple is famous for the many Buddha faces on top of its towers. Also, being one of the largest temple in the Angkor area, I observed that several temples in proximity were grouped together into one huge Prasat Bayon (although my observation may be mistaken).

Finally, the most anticipated of all is the Angkor Wat, where we expected to watch a breath-taking sunset, only to have spirits dampened by rain clouds and droplets. The famous temple was under repair (or renovation) during our visit, leaving the photograph less dramatic.

After Angkor Wat, we got the driver to drop us off at Pub Street for dinner and booked ourselves another massage session, before heading back to the hotel.

May 5th, 2013 -- Day 2 -- A Day on the Wheels

Most of Day 2 in Cambodia was spent on the bus from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap. We took a 7:30am bus and arrived in Siem Reap at about 2:30pm. Add about half an hour to that, and we were checked in to our hotel in Siem Reap.

By then, we were hungry so (with the front desk's recommendations) we head straight for a Khmer Kitchen near pub street. After another round of coconut-milk infused meal, we walked to the central market. The shopping spree dragged on and joined with another round at the Siem Reap Art Center Night Market.

After an Angkor beer in pub street, we went back to the hotel and had the front desk order massage therapists for everyone. The Cambodian girls that came do not speak very good English, and were generally not very good at shoulder and body massage. We decided that we will look elsewhere for the other nights for massage therapist (Coincidentally, we found out which shop the girls really worked for). We turned in at near mid-night, with alarm clocks tuned early for the next day.