Exploring Angkor Wat: A 3-Day Adventure in Cambodia

Angkor is an abandoned city just like Machu Picchu. The Khmers, the great empire of Asia, settled here in the 9th century and lived here until their empire collapsed in the 13th century. Although the city was discovered by the Portuguese in the 1600s, it was little known in the world until it was 'rediscovered' by a French explorer in the 1860s. In the research notes of those years, it was written that it was as big as the Egyptian pyramids and ancient Greek cities. In archeology studies conducted in the 2000s, Angkor Wat was calculated to be the same size as Berlin. Due to the authoritarian regime that lasted for many years in Cambodia, thousands of visitors a year until the 2000s, now Angkor is a city visited by millions.

Transport:

Airlines in Southeast Asia are relatively economical in cost, and the flights are at very reasonable times. I flew to Cambodia from Thailand with Bangkok Airways. If you have plenty of time and a lower budget, you can also go by bus. It will probably be much more enjoyable than the plane. Visa can be purchased directly at the airport.

When to go:

The ideal time to go is November - February, which is the dry season. It is said that outside of these months, it is a little difficult to travel due to the increase in humidity and rains during the day. I went in February, the weather was similar to the summer of Istanbul in terms of humidity.

Day 1 - Angkor Wat Temple:

Arranging a Tuk Tuk from the day before and going to the temple before sunrise is a good tactic to limit your exposure to the large tourist groups. It is possible to return to the hotel to take a break at noon and have a snack. I recommend visiting the temple complex with a local guide. Another suggestion is to read what is what, who is who, about the history of the Khmer Empire, the city of Angkor and maybe a little bit of Buddhist and Hindu beliefs before you go. <Source to be added> Before leaving, I recommend to capture the reflection of the temple in the river in front of the temple with a professional camera, if possible, with an extraordinary view at sunset! It is also an alternative option to watch the sunset from a high place where you can see it.

In the evening, you can have an authentic meal in the center of Siem Reap. On the main street where the restaurants are next to each other, I entered a restaurant that I saw a Trip Advisor label; The local dishes Fish Amok (a curry dish made from freshwater fish) are quite delicious with rice alongside. Apart from fish, Lok Lak (meat or chicken sauteed) can be tried as meat. As a Khmer beer, Angkor is quite successful. After the meal, there is an option to continue the entertainment in the tourist bars on the street (of course, you should not keep your expectations high) or you can get rid of the tiredness of the day at the massage shops located on the main street!

Day 2 - Angkor Tohm:

While Angkor Wat is a predominantly Hindu temple city, Angkor Tohm is a city that refers more to Buddhism. One of the most awe-inspiring places in Siem Reap, Bayon and Ta Prohm are located here. It is a region that will easily take an average day. Lots of walking, taking pictures, chatting with the Buddhist monks residing there. As with Angkor Wat, pre-reading is helpful! If you are satisfied with the previous evening's restaurant in Siem Reap for dinner, you can continue from there and ask for new food suggestions. Cambodians are very hospitable.

Day 3 - Kbal Spean and Banteay Srei:

According to Khmer beliefs, Kbal is a sacred mountain located 50 kilometers North of Siem Reap. We chose the adventurous option of riding there with a Tuk Tuk. This was one of rides that never seemed to come to end, but it is definitely worthwhile. As you walk, Hindu deities carved into the riverbeds will immediately draw your attention. There is a lot of symbolism here - to get the best out of this we would strongly recommend prior reading or taking a guide at the entrance. It is very pleasant to relax at the waterfall on the mountain after a long walk. According to the belief, the water here is holy. On the way back from Kbal, the Banteay Srei temple is a must-see. You would want to enter when you see the outside view anyway.

What else?

In fact, there are other Khmer temples that can be seen outside these temples, but after visiting the temple for 3 days, what you see starts to look a little similar. Many people cross over to the sea (to the Cambodian coast) as their next stop, or continue to Phnom Penh, the capital. Some like us return back to the city life.

Where to stay?

Regarding the types of accommodation, we can say that there are three main types of accommodation in Siem Reap, as in the rest of Asia, namely 5-star chain hotels, guesthouses and hostels. Chain hotels (eg Sofitel) are newly built luxury buildings for group tourists traveling by bus. Hostels are mostly shared rooms for student backpackers, the most economical choice, but it is better not to expect much in terms of comfort. Guesthouses, on the other hand, are more comfortable, more traditional and not as expensive as hotels.

Money and Payments:

Credit cards are common in restaurants, but it's good and necessary to carry some cash with you for everyday expenses (tuk tuk, water, etc.). I suggest withdrawing Cambodia's own currency from the ATM in the airport.