SIEM REAP: Angkor Thom Bayon Temple, Takeo Temple, Ta Phrom, Angkor Wat
This was a trip I did in 2018, year end. I decided to pen down this post because I have just completed the photobook on this trip, after so many years. LOL. I found that I have many photos sleeping in my archive!
For full itinerary, check out 4D3N SIEM REAP: The Home to UNESCO World Heritage Angkor Wat
For this sightseeing tour, I engaged it directly with our hotel . We took the van as transportation instead of tuk-tuk so that we could get the full power of air-conditioned on that hot scorching day; didn’t have to go through the natural air with wind and dust blowing towards our faces, LOL.
Plus points, we got chilled drinks prepared by the driver too!
Our half day tour was leaded by a tour guide – Mr Phalley. He was very detailed and great in storytelling. He explained about the historical sites, brought us around to less touristy area for photos and etc. He took awesome group photos for us too!
Back in 2018, the price for the tour was pretty standard, the vehicle (van) with driver was USD $ 65 and English Tour Guide was USD $ 55 (unless you opt for a Chinese tour guide or other languages).
We departed at 8am from the hotel. The journey was around 30 minutes from the hotel to the Angkor Archaeology Park. Before entering the site, we stopped by to purchase the Angkor Pass at the official ticket office. We bought ours ONE DAY PASS at USD $ 37 per person (back in 2018, year end), your face will be printed on the pass too. If you wished to extend your exploration; you may get 3-day pass or 7-day pass. Remember to always keep the ticket with you and be careful not to lose it, or else you will be prohibited to enter some of the sites.
But first, we got a pit stop to get coffee, recommended by our tour guide and it is his favourite to go!
Anything but coffee first. Hehe.
Our first destination was Angkor Thom Bayon Temple. We then passed by Takeo Temple, and then headed to Ta Phrom. After lunch, we were brought to Angkor Wat as our last destination for the trip. Our tour guide was very dedicated, he explained to on everything along the way. I will let the photos to the talking as below. 🙂
Ta Prohm , the modern name of temple at Angkor, also the location that appeared in the film Lara Croft: Tomb Raider starred by Angelina Jolie. This is really a photogenic place. According to Mr Phalley, when Khmer Empire fallen off, Ta Prohm was abandoned and ruined by the overgrown trees and nature. It is now looking quite the same conditioned as it was found.
Now, the majestic Angkor Wat temple . We started our journey from the back entrance of the temple and walked towards the front to get the full front view.
Majestic, beautiful, magnificent, words like these are never enough to describe the Angkor Wat. It is just way too impressive to me.
Sunrise tour is quite a big thing too where you get the beautiful gradient pastels colour sky with a backdrop of Angkor Wat. If you would love to catch the sunrise view, do book the sunrise tour and be sure you can wake up very early because you will have to depart around 4+am.
As an ending to our tour, we requested our driver to take us to somewhere where we could do some souvenirs shopping. Our driver took us over here for a little shopping on local souvenirs and snacks.
