donderdag 3 april 2014

Krong Siem Reap

We continued  our trip through Cambodia on April 1st. This time to the city of Krong Siem Reap which lay on a 3 hours drive from Battambang. Yet, on our way to the city, the weather started shifting gradually resulting in a short but heavy tropical rain. Heavy might be an understatement, it was a real downpour that made us stop and wait by the roadside because it was hard to see just a few metres in front of the car. Luckily, the weather cleared up and we arrived in Krong Siem Reap with a one hour delay. The only bright side to this rain probably was that one of the Battambang natives won his bet for rain.

On arrival we could see that this city, like many in Cambodia, depends on tourism as there are many hotels, ranging from those with several stars to more budget friendly hostels. Perhaps the most well known tourist attraction is Angkor which is situated approximately six kilometres north of the city, along with other temples and monuments from the ancient world. It stretches for 400 square kilometres and is made up of various sites with temples and hydraulic structures such as canals and dykes. Angkor Wat is the largest part of the complex, which is not surprising because it acted as the centre of the old Khmer empire.

It is a beautifully decorated place with various Buddhist and other themes carved into its walls, halls and statues. But this place is much more than a mere conglomeration of temples, there still are little villages whose roots date back to the old Khmer empire. They mostly depend on an agricultural way of life, rice cultivation to be precise. It has been an interesting and relaxing visit to these remnants of the past. Sometimes, when you wander off to the more remote parts of the complex that straddle the jungle, it really feels like you’re in a different day and age.
Thomas
Sources:
http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/668
http://www.siemreap.me/

http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/ancient-mysteries/angkor-wat-temples
http://www.guideforangkorwat.com/images/dyimg/101226043022Angkor%20Wat%20temple.jpg
http://hittheroadtours.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Ta-Prohm-sunlight1.jpg

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2 opmerkingen:

  1. Unknown14 april 2014 om 09:48

    I was really freaking out, this tropical rain was really terrifying. The sky was black and it was like the world would be washed away by the rain. Perhaps it sounds exaggerated but I have a picture to prove it. Luckily we had a real man to protect us ladies.
    I was so happy to visit this city because of the beauty of the Angkor site was stunning actually it was breathtaking . The historical architecture was really impressive, these are memories I will keep forever. Me and Thomas were the ones who were enchanted by the beauty and the stories that are connected to these monuments. Later in the evening when the Sun drifted away you had a fantastic view. Unfortunately we had not the time to stay there we had to continue our trip to the next city. Of course Thomas, the funny man could not leave without a joke. It was already dark when we were on our way to our car until he suddenly jumps in front of us in a dark sweater and a creepy accent. we jumped literally and figuratively 10 meters into the air, so time for payback Thomas !

    Naomi

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  2. Unknown23 mei 2014 om 06:30

    I'm happy to protect you girls at any time, don't worry Naomi ;) ! We can be happy that we didn't have any accidents during that storm, otherwise we couldn't have seen the beautiful temples.

    Sorry if I scared you too much because I didn't really mean to, but I just couldnt resist the urge to do it. I just enjoy pulling a prank on somebody from time to time.

    Thomas

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