I am so sorry if I am taking this long to blog about my Asia trip last August. Been so busy with work I barely have time to open my laptop. Huhu. But! I shall try to finish everything this weekend! Weh? Haha. I shall make time promiiiise.
Anyway! Sharing with you photos, stories and some travel tips during our 3rd day in Siem Reap, Cambodia. Spent the whole day exploring temples. This post is photo heavy (with stories in between), so don't get tired scrolling! Let's go!:)
The Bayon was built in the late 12th or early 13th century as the official state temple of the Mahayana Buddhist King Jayavarman VII. It stands at the centre of Jayavarman's capital, Angkor Thom. Angkor Thom was built as a square, the sides of which run exactly north to south and east to west. Standing in the exact center of the walled city, Bayon Temple represents the intersection of heaven and earth. According to scholars, King Jayavarman VII bears a strong resemblance to the face towers of the Bayon. Bayon Temple is surrounded by two long walls bearing an extraordinary collection of bas-relief scenes of legendary and historical events.
The Preah Khan temple complex serves today as an outstanding example of a large linear temple complex in a dense jungle setting. Dedicated by the great king Jayavarman VII to his father in 1191, Preah Khan also served as a monastery and center for learning, and once the heart of a city of nearly 100,000. Rectangular in shape and occupying 138 acres, Preah Khan’s boundaries are defined by a protective moat and fortified walls adorned by monumental carved stone garudas—eagle-like divine beings. The temple complex includes entryways, towers, ceremonial spaces, courtyards, shrines, and a variety of connecting corridors. Additional special features of Preah Khan include its two-story pavilion, the once-bronze-plated sanctum sanctorum, and its Hall of Dancers. (help preserve this temple, click here: https://www.wmf.org/project/preah-khan-temple)
Neak Pean (the coiled serpents) is an artificial island with a Buddhist temple on a circular island in Preah Khan Baray built during the reign of King Jayavarman VII. Some historians believe that Neak Pean represents Anavatapta, a mythical lake in the Himalayas whose waters are thought to cure all illness. The name is derived from the sculptures of snakes (neak) running around the base of the temple structure.
Neak Pean was originally designed for medical purposes (the ancients believed that going into these pools would balance the elements in the bather, thus curing disease); it is one of the many hospitals that Jayavarman VII built. It is based on the ancient Hindu belief of balance. Four connected pools represent Water, Earth, Fire and Wind.
The Khmer temple of Ta Som was built at the end of the twelfth century during the reign of the powerful Buddhist King Jayavarman VII and was likely dedicated to his father, King Dharanindravarman II.
The temple consists of a single shrine located on one level and surrounded by enclosure laterite walls. Like the nearby Preah Khan and Ta Prohm the temple was left largely unrestored, with numerous trees and other vegetation growing among the ruins.
The East Mebon is a 10th Century temple built during the reign of King Rajendravarman. The East Mebon was dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva and honors the parents of the king. The sculpture at the East Mebon includes two-meter-high free-standing stone elephants at corners of the first and second tiers. Religious scenes include the god Indra atop his three-headed elephant Airavata, and Shiva on his mount, the sacred bull Nandi.
Visitors looking out from the upper level today are left to imagine the vast expanses of water that formerly surrounded the temple. Four landing stages at the base give reminder that the temple was once reached by boat.
Pre Rup is Angkor's most popular spot for sunset. The temple consists of a pyramid-shaped temple-mountain with the uppermost of the three tiers carrying five lotus towers. Pre Rup means ‘Turning the Body’ and refers to a traditional method of cremation in which a corpse’s outline is traced in the cinders: this suggests that the temple may have served as an early royal crematorium.
Anyway! Sharing with you photos, stories and some travel tips during our 3rd day in Siem Reap, Cambodia. Spent the whole day exploring temples. This post is photo heavy (with stories in between), so don't get tired scrolling! Let's go!:)
Plains & Prints top & shorts coordinates, ShawlScarfStation scarf, H&M hat, Primadonna backpack & sandals
Love my Plains & Prints coords and super trusty Primadonna sandals which I wore with everything!
Photos from our tour!
Fuel! Our super healthy breakfast di ako sanay. Haha. :)
Secrets Pavilion dining area
Our tuktuk driver was on time! He was super nice too. Professional kahit he was sick that day.
We had to stop here to get our Angkor Day Pass! No pass, no entry, no tour.
They also have 3-day or 7-day passes
One day pass is $20
Unesco World Heritage Site:) My dream prenup destination! Hehe
Dami nila oh
Kuya and his map. We availed the big tour which consists of more temples but mostly the smaller ones + Angkor Wat. Kuya was kind enough to include Bayon (my favorite) kahit dapat wala sha sa list. Thanks Kuya!
Here's the map! The small tour includes Angkor, Bayon, Ta Prohm, Bantay Srei, etc. Less temples but mostly the big and major ones.
Angkor's Moat:)
Nico making chika the guard hehe
Sneaky moves! Nakisabay kami sa group na to coz they have an English guide. Hihi!
Back in Angkor! Sandstone Causeway.
LOVEEEE
Let's go inside! Ready na sha.
Inside Out
OOTD ni Nico! Lol. He's wearing PEOPLE Footwear:) Inggit ako. So comfy and lightweight.
Angkor is so big! May second entrance pa. So be sure to bring water! It's also scorching hot.
Under construction:( Last time I was there ganyan na sha. Hehe.
Main entrance
I can just sit here all day
Angkor Wat Mahabrata inner wall carvings! WOOOW
Loook. So intricate and detailed.
One of the thousand apsaras (heavenly nymphs) inside the temple
if only these walls could talk
Inside the main temple. Love this empty bathing pool!
This way to the open grounds!
Photos from our tour!
Our tuktuk driver was on time! He was super nice too. Professional kahit he was sick that day.
Here's the map! The small tour includes Angkor, Bayon, Ta Prohm, Bantay Srei, etc. Less temples but mostly the big and major ones.
LOVEEEE
Angkor is the earthly representation of Mt. Meru, the Mt. Olympus of the Hindu faith and the abode of ancient gods. The ‘temple that is a city’, Angkor Wat is the perfect fusion of creative ambition and spiritual devotion. The Cambodian god-kings of old each strove to better their ancestors’ structures in size, scale and symmetry, culminating in what is believed to be the world’s largest religious building, the mother of all temples, Angkor Wat.
blog niya talaga to eh
Angkor's most sacred level & the temple's summit called BAKAN, is now open!
I wasn't able to go because I was wearing shorts :( Should have used my scarf! Slipped my mind so I just waited for Nico. Huhu.
Here are Nico's photos from the highest point inside Angkor Wat:)
Where's Paxie?! Haha.
Discovered more beautiful spots on our way out...
Emo hits
This is after all Cambodia's biggest temple:)
Attention to details. I'm obssessed.
The famous Angkor Wat pond :)
After almost 2 hours of exploring Angkor (it's never enough), we then headed to one of my favorite temple, BAYON!
Itim na namin shet
So much beauty in one place.
Stopped for a while to take photos of these monkeys. One of them climbed inside our tuk-tuk! Kulit lang.
Elephants with benches at their backs make me sad.
Finally!
We meet again, Bayon:)
Stairs going to the main deck
The Monalisas of Southeast Asia
Makes one imagine how they made all these carved faces. Who are these faces? Me? You? Tayou? Haha.
Expectation
Reality. Achieve naman. Pwede na.
Bye, Bayon!
Terrace of the Elephants
3rd Stop: PREAH KHAN
I may have also fallen in love with Preah Khan. Unlike the other temples, this one's shaded, serene, and holds as much history as the others. Tourists don't frequent this place, so it gives its few visitors the opportunity to appreciate it more. :)
The Preah Khan temple complex serves today as an outstanding example of a large linear temple complex in a dense jungle setting. Dedicated by the great king Jayavarman VII to his father in 1191, Preah Khan also served as a monastery and center for learning, and once the heart of a city of nearly 100,000. Rectangular in shape and occupying 138 acres, Preah Khan’s boundaries are defined by a protective moat and fortified walls adorned by monumental carved stone garudas—eagle-like divine beings. The temple complex includes entryways, towers, ceremonial spaces, courtyards, shrines, and a variety of connecting corridors. Additional special features of Preah Khan include its two-story pavilion, the once-bronze-plated sanctum sanctorum, and its Hall of Dancers. (help preserve this temple, click here: https://www.wmf.org/project/preah-khan-temple)
Moat:)
Main entrance
Entrance to the temple
Exit:)
4th Stop: LUNCH! 
Coconut shake. YUM.
Low energy na sa init
Forgot the name of the resto but it's across Neak Pean temple
For sharing their meals! YUM
Free dessert
5th Stop: NEAK PEAN Temple
I love how different each temples are! Lalo na sa entrance haha.
Probinsya vibes
Long walk going inside
Neak Pean (the coiled serpents) is an artificial island with a Buddhist temple on a circular island in Preah Khan Baray built during the reign of King Jayavarman VII. Some historians believe that Neak Pean represents Anavatapta, a mythical lake in the Himalayas whose waters are thought to cure all illness. The name is derived from the sculptures of snakes (neak) running around the base of the temple structure.
Neak Pean was originally designed for medical purposes (the ancients believed that going into these pools would balance the elements in the bather, thus curing disease); it is one of the many hospitals that Jayavarman VII built. It is based on the ancient Hindu belief of balance. Four connected pools represent Water, Earth, Fire and Wind.
6th Stop: Ta Som
The Khmer temple of Ta Som was built at the end of the twelfth century during the reign of the powerful Buddhist King Jayavarman VII and was likely dedicated to his father, King Dharanindravarman II.
The temple consists of a single shrine located on one level and surrounded by enclosure laterite walls. Like the nearby Preah Khan and Ta Prohm the temple was left largely unrestored, with numerous trees and other vegetation growing among the ruins.
Brownout!
7th Stop: EAST MEBON 
The East Mebon is a 10th Century temple built during the reign of King Rajendravarman. The East Mebon was dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva and honors the parents of the king. The sculpture at the East Mebon includes two-meter-high free-standing stone elephants at corners of the first and second tiers. Religious scenes include the god Indra atop his three-headed elephant Airavata, and Shiva on his mount, the sacred bull Nandi.
Visitors looking out from the upper level today are left to imagine the vast expanses of water that formerly surrounded the temple. Four landing stages at the base give reminder that the temple was once reached by boat.
Imagine all the PEOPLE.
8th Stop: PRE RUP Temple
CR muna!
There are restroom like this near temples:)
Pre Rup is Angkor's most popular spot for sunset. The temple consists of a pyramid-shaped temple-mountain with the uppermost of the three tiers carrying five lotus towers. Pre Rup means ‘Turning the Body’ and refers to a traditional method of cremation in which a corpse’s outline is traced in the cinders: this suggests that the temple may have served as an early royal crematorium.
The temple gets crowded during sunset
Steep stairs that are not for the faint of heart
Ganyan kalaki yung steps haha
Mejo nawala kami sa exit na to
Bye, Pre Rup!
Pre Rup was the last temple sa tour and we got there at around 3pm. Didn't want to wait 2 more hours for sunset in almost 32 degrees celsius weather so we opted to go home na and rest.
Thank you Kuya for being a gracious and kind driver! Til next time!
I think I was not able to mention that Kuya also supplied us with free water (parang bottomles yung cooler nia haha) c/o our hotel! It was such a big help! We were able to save money and it also saved us from dehydration & heat exhaustion. Yey!:) Thank you Kuya and Secrets Pavilion for arranging this tour. We paid Kuya $20 total. So $20 + $40 (2 pax Angkor pass) + $10 lunch = $70 total! Not bad at all.
Last Cambodia post coming up and then Thailand na!:)
Asia Trip Links:
For hotel bookings, click here:
Our Cambodia hotel:
Hi Aisa, when you book the tour from Secrets Pavilion, is it the day before your tour?
ReplyDeleteHi Cams! I think 2 days before. Pero okay lang din kahit day before. They will recommend naman a guide. :)
Delete