The Grand Tour

Grudgingly we awoke at 4:30 so we could be on our way for the first of our two-day tour. Unfortunately our tour guide for mixed up with a similarly-named hotel. Once that got straightened out we had to buy our pass for the day at a ticket center, which was packed with other early risers.

Once that was squared away, we proceeded to Angkor Wat to see the sunrise there, along with hundreds of others.

After a pit stop for breakfast, which our hotel was kind to provide, we hopped over to Ta Prom. If you’re a movie person, (as I am not), you may know this temple from Tomb Raider, according to our guide. This tomb is known for its spung trees, soft-wooded trees that started growing over various parts of the temple.

Banteai Srei, or the Lady Temple, is next up. Unlike Ta Prom, this one is predominately constructed from red sandstone.

Angkor Thom is next. Within this complex there’s the elephant terrace, Bayon temple, and the terrace of the leper king.

Lastly we headed back to Angkor Wat, to see it properly in daylight.

First a pit stop for lunch. I had stir fry pumpkin and pork and my friend had seafood soup.

We noticed this monkey admiring themselves on the way to the main building.

This depicts heaven, earth and hell respectively. Was meant to show what happens to people who end up in hell.

After this long day we cooled off in the hotel room before checking out Pub Street for dinner. I had Khmer minced fish with coconut sauce and my friend had wok fried frog at the Khmer Family Restaurant.

Time to knock out and continue our tour tomorrow morning. So glad we don’t need to be up at 4 again! Good night.