The Magic Temple of Angkor
Angkor sustains the history and makes itself the identity of Cambodians. But the largest temple complex of the world is not the only attraction of the country. Siem Reap, the city serving as the gate of Angkor offers no less charm. Angkor to Cambodia is like the Pyramids to Egypt, historical landmarks making the country where they are located listed into global travel map.
As the world’s largest temple complex of Hundu, Angkor is definitely a magnet to attract tourists. Its magnificent status makes it Cambodian’s identity. Representation of Angkor can be easily found in every sides of Cambodians’ life, from the national flag to product brand and company name.
Entryway to Angkor is its gate, Siem Reap, a city offering pleasant surprises and friendly first impression to every visitor. Adequate infrastructure also makes its contribution to comfort visitors. A clean, modern, and artistic airport welcomes visitors to Siem Reap. VoA processing is quick and efficient, and those wanting to avoid immigration queue can use eVisa facility available through internet. Money changer is nothing to worry about as all transactions here uses US Dollars.
Beautiful hotels are cascading along the 10 minutes way between the airport and the city. On accommodations, Siem Reap has something for everyone, from $5 to $1000. Its laid back and relax atmosphere is suitable for those wanting to escape from bustling metropolitan lifestyle.
The name, Siem Reap means beaten Siam (the ancient name of Thailand). The name refers to a never-ending conflict between Cambodia and Thailand ending up in a battle at the area now known as Siem Reap. Cambodia has successfully thrown the Thais away and therefore the area got the title, Siem Reap.
Siem Reap is quite safe. Whilst the country is classified as the ones with the lowest income in the world, serious crime has almost never heard in Cambodia. Even at night the city is considerably safer than Jakarta or Bangkok. Using the common sense to not leaving valuables unattended is all you need to do.
French inheritance dissolved in red dust is dominant in Siem Reap. Colonial feeling is obvious if you take a sightseeing around Royal Residence on the 6th National Highway. French architecture can also be found in Psar Chas, the central district of Siem Reap. In the area surrounding the city’s traditional market you can find colonial inherited buildings converted into cafes, massage parlors, and restaurants. Together with the growth of tourism, more spas and restaurants are arising.
Angkor is not a single temple but a complex consisting of a number of buildings separated by forest occupying an area of 400 square kilometers, three times as large of Bandung, an Indonesian city with more than 3 million residents. Escort by certified guide is mandatory which can be arrange at the hotel for $25-$30 per day. You will need to hire a car for about $25 per day, and pay admission fee of $25 per day. So cost of visiting Angkor is $75 per day. You can cut the transport cost by a half if you can afford to get exposed to the dust all day long. However the complex is so large that it is impossible for you to scan it through in one day.
There are two main areas of Angkor you should not miss, Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom. As its name translates, the great capital, Angkor Thom hosts the most important monuments of Angkor. The area was built in the 12th century as government enclave and the residential palace of King Jayawarman 7th. The complex is surrounded by vast pond both serving as water reservoir as well as protection.
The first part of Angkor Thon called Bayon is marked by face of the beast Avalokiteshvara, smiling to four directions. Bayon has gentle steep and therefore easier to hike and scan through. Inside you can find relief of daily life of Khmer people, including their battle against the people of Cham.
Other interesting areas are Terrace of Elephants where king and people watched the procession to release battle elephants, and Leper King, the royal cremation room which some historian believes as a monument to commemorate King Yasowarman who was killed by leper.
One favorite spot for photos is Ta Prohm built as a storage area of treasures. Now the place shows an interesting irony where strong roots of giant trees once destroyed the building are now holding it from getting collapsed. Angelina Jolie has once here to frame scenes of the famous Tomb Raider. So successful the movie was, the temple is now widely known as Tomb Raider Temple.
It worth to pay your driver an extra for seeing Angkor on sunrise. Angkor looks photogenic when the sun has just shown its face, and it is also comfortable to take pictures as it is quiet. Sunset is also beautiful, but it is normally too crowded with tourists to take decent pictures. With more money you can enjoy the luxury of seeing Angkor in bird-eyes view.
The temple complex of Angkor Wat reflects the idealism of King Suryawarman 2nd in setting a holly place to praise Vishnu. Consists of soaring towers surrounded by vast pond, you have to walk through stone bride to enter Angkor Wat. Each tower is separated by stone gallery presenting relief of Hindu mythology.
Those having problem with height are not advised to climb the towers as stairs are very steep and hard to go back down. Myth says that the stairs was made very narrow to remind people to keep on looking those below. In a clear evening sun ray magically changes the towers into gold.
Be reminded that a visit to Angkor means a full day of walk and hike, so preparing your physical endurance is essential otherwise you will regret of loosing your chance to scan more for fatigue legs.
Angkor is not the only temple complex in Siem Reap. Some 50 kilometers away lies the complex of Kbal Spean which offers soothing shelter against Cambodian heat. Kbal Spean, more popular as river of thousand linga, is a river streaming along green hills. Thousands of linga – not that many actually – are crafted into the bottom of the river as well as stone walls along its sides. Myth says that the stone was crafted so the water of the river brings fertility to the farming land.
Close by, Beng Mealea brings Indiana Jones adventure with its original jungle. Less visitors maximizes your experience. There is an admission fee of $20 and entering on your own is not advisable.
The catch to visiting both Kbal Spean and Beng Mealea is bad road condition which makes the trip very long than it should be. In rainy season the road even changes itself into swamp of mud.
Closer to Siem Reap, about 30 kilometers away, there is Bantey Srey, means citadel of women. Red sandstone with well taken care relief makes Bantey Srey the most beautiful temple in Cambodia. A rumor says that the relief was crafted by women as it is impossible for men to make such a beautiful artwork. The place is quite popular to tourists for its beauty.
Exhausted tourists after days of physical exercise in the temples are perfectly taken by Siem Reap, home of 200,000 residents, as opportunity by setting up rejuvenation center. There are many massage parlors in Siem Reap, and competition motivates them to keeping up their service quality.
One of the best – and most expensive – one is Spa Visaya of FCC hotel. The pocket-blowing price adequately compensated by excellent experience. Soaking yourself into FCC’s pools – known as Siem Reap’s most beautiful oasis – is also a must. So popular this place that reservation at least one day in advance is required.
Cheaper priced of good treatment can be found at Frangi Pani. It is located in a narrow unnamed alley, and absence of air-conditioning makes a visit in daylight is not advisable. Fresh lemonade served before and after the treatment helps a bit, and you can have a cup of ice cream at Blue Pumpkin, known as Siem Reap’s best ice cream, just in front of the alley.
Simpler and quicker services can be easily found in the old market area of Psar Chas. An hour of massage service priced between $4 – $8. Obviously foot massage is the favorite one for tourists after visiting Angkor.
Siem Reap also offers night entertainment. So many bars arose in Psar Chas has made the area also known as The Bar Street. The style here is however relaxed and old fashioned. Compared to Jakarta, Bangkok, and Kuala Lumpur, Siem Reap is definitely quiet. Most common facilities are bar, pool table, and stage for live music. The liveliest one at night is Sok San Palace.
As of culinary experience, Siem Reap feels similar to Legian and Kuta in Bali. Many restaurants with Western style can be found in Psar Chas, but the taste is rather mediocre. Maybe Khmers are not used to dealing with enchiladas and hamburgers.
But things chance when we talk about traditional dishes. Two favorite ones are amok and loklak. Amok is sweet curry with herbs and fish, served in coconut shell and threaded banana leaf. Loklak is stir-fried beef with various herbs. Slices of lemon and brown salt make the meat tastes fresh and juicy.
You can easily forget that Cambodia is a poor country when you are spending your time in the hotel lobby, but on the street it is just inevitable. You will easily find victims of land mines walking with incomplete body. Talented ones play music in the Angkor complex. Those without talent sell books in Siem Reap, and the rest scattered on the street begging.
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