Cambodia

I experienced one of the most heartbreaking moments of my life in Cambodia, in Phnom Penh, when I visited the Killing Fields and the notorious Tuol Sleng high school, converted  into a prison, now a museum.

An estimated two to three million people were killed under Pol Pot’s infamous  Khmer Rouge dictatorship. What astounded me though was the zest for life of the Cambodian people. They are a delight to meet.

In Phnom Penh we stayed in a small hotel next door to the FCC, the Foreign Correspondence Club, a watering hole made famous by journalists during the Vietnam war.
Today Cambodia is ruled by King Norodom Sihamoni and his home, the Royal Palace is awesome.

Another place most worthy of a visit is the National History Museum.
But the main reason for coming to Cambodia was the temple area of Angkor Wat and  Angkor Thom/The Bayon.

We flew to Siem Reap, only a short flight from the Capital and checked into our very comfortable hotel.
To really see the Angkor area, you have to allow at least 3 days. For access to the region a pass will be issued to you, with your photograph, so if you plan to visit, take a passport picture with you to speed things up.
Angkor Wat was built in the 12^th Century by King Suryavarman. It is the largest Hindu temple complex in the world and listed under World Heritage.
It was first used as a Hindu temple to the goddess Vishnu, later converted to worship Buddha as the face of this deity is seen on every building.
We by-passed Angkor Wat and headed straight for Angkor Thom. This area is huge and the entrance impressive.

The first building we saw was the Bayon.

We were allowed to walk among the ruins, which was a treat.
The building that stuck most in my mind was the ‘Gate of the Lepers’. The beautiful sandstone carvings told the story. Some of the figures had limbs missing, obviously suffering from the disease.
One place I absolutely loved was Ta Prohm. When Angkor Wat was discovered it was completely overgrown. This temple and Preah Khan were left as found,  i.e. no restoration. They were magical. Big trees are growing all over the ruins and the size of the roots are simply amazing.

But what had been causing the biggest damage to the buildings are the creeping Figs. These plants grow in between the stones and cause the bricks to move and crumble. Still to me they were as pretty as a picture.

Another place not to be missed is Banteay Sri. This temple area is about 40km out of Siem Reap. It is very small, but wonderful. The carvings on these temples  look like filigree work.

And the highlight of my trip?  Sunrise over Angkor Wat. It was brilliant.

We had a very good guide and he had suggested, instead of going back for breakfast like all the other tourists, he would show us around the ruins when practically no one was around. What a blessing! We had the place to ourselves. It was ‘cool’, being early in the morning, we did not have to wait in line, what a good idea!
The last thing to do before flying home, was a visit to the floating villages on the Tonle Sap Lake. Only 15km out of Siem Reap they are well worth the trip. And I made a friend here! She was only a baby.

Cambodia was high on my bucket list and I was not disappointed.