Siem Reap: Real Life Temple Run
Banteay Srei - Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva
You can choose for 1-day pass, 3-day pass, and 7 days pass. You need to show this ticket to all the temples you'll be visiting. Without this, you cannot go inside the temples.
So the next day, we decided to take the "Big Circuit" tour package first. This includes the following temples:
- Banteay Srei
- Preah Khan
- Pre Rup
- Ta Som
- Neak Pean
- Eastern Mebon
- Banteay Samre
- Srah Srang
As for us, we didn't actually visit all because as time goes by, you just get tired of seeing all of it. Lame excuse I know. Also, the weather is just too hot and remember we arrived late at night so we are definitely tired and didn't get enough sleep.
Thankfully, we had the best guide/driver for this trip. He is very accommodating and would ALWAYS give us wet wipes and a bottle of water every after temple we visit. He makes sure we are comfortable and hydrated. Very friendly. If you're reading this Sophat, hello! :)
Since this happened almost a year ago, I cannot remember exactly the exact order of temples we visited but here are the photos hoping this would encourage you to visit Siem Reap too. :)
Somewhere along Banteay Srei
This is actually our first stop for the day so we were all amazed at the carvings on the stone. Very detailed and I am impressed on how they were able to preserve it.
The squad at Preah Khan - This photo was taken by someone who is I think a tour guide? Nothing comes free so a tip is a must. Also, his tricks in taking iPhone photos are to the highest level.
Neak Pean - En route to this is a very long shallow pathway without side railings. Must be very careful so you won't get derailed and fall on the water ;)
Fried ice cream from Pub Street
Look at how exquisite the hand paintings are!
Vietnamese fresh spring roll
Not sure if this is happening always but if you are hiring a driver and then it is almost lunchtime, they will bring you to an expensive restaurant where they get commission from bringing customers. Thing is, the food is very plain but expensive and there are a whole lot other good places to eat at. Just be firm with the driver that you want to eat somewhere else. Better if you have a place in mind so they can bring you to that place instead.
On the lower left is an authentic Khmer food while the rest are western food
Always, always, always be mindful of how the way you dress. Khmer is as conservative as other Southeast Asian countries. I had to buy a scarf and cover my shoulders so I can enter the temples.
As for the food, either you go big by eating at touristy restaurants like the ones in Pub Street or try out the street food/cart scattered in the area. The difference in price is huge.
As for money changers, it is highly recommended you bring in US dollars instead of PH peso. You will get your money's worth much more. That's the mistake we made because we didn't have USD that time so our money lost its value big time.
It was a very tiring day. We retired early for the day because we plan to catch the sunrise over Angkor Wat the next day. :)
So that's it on our first day. I am just happy that I finally visited this amazing place.
Trivia: Did you know people in Cambodia are called Khmer? :)
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Siem Reap <3
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