PhP 10,000 Temple Run Challenge in Cambodia II

It was fun playing Tomb Raider in Siem Reap; looking at each stone carving and checking every detail as if I was trying to solve a mystery. Come to think of it, it was somehow similar to that famous movie. While Lara Croft traveled to Cambodia in search of an ancient artifact, I was also there but for another mission...

It's not hard to fall in love with Cambodia. Aside from the fact that one doesn't need to break his/her piggy bank to go here, the country is boasting of religion and history.

For sample itinerary and budget: READ: PhP 10,000 Temple Run Challenge in Cambodia I

From the very moment we stepped foot on Siem Reap International Airport, we already saw bits of Cambodian culture reflected on the building designs. Tourists were busy taking photos while still on the runway hehe.

Beng Mealea

Beng Mealea was the farthest temple we visited, being 68 km away from the city. Unlike other temples in Siem Reap, this one remained untouched by restoration projects; thus, its wear-and-tear appearance.

This was Marv's favorite temple due to its size and chaotic state. He enjoyed getting lost inside, squeezing into tunnels, and finding himself walking on rooftops. Perhaps its twisting and turning galleries and hallways made it more mysterious and intriguing.

He knew about my claustrophobia and yet...

Marv was so fascinated with the size of Beng Mealea not knowing that Angkor Wat would even be bigger. According to Da, Beng Mealea was a smaller version of Angkor Wat since its architectural style was similar to the latter (minus the prayer tower).

No need for women to cover themselves when visiting Beng Mealea. But you must wear the most comfortable clothing and footwear that you have as there will be a lot of climbing.

Banteay Srei

Also known as Citadel of Women mainly because the temple takes pride in its extraordinary and very fine stone carvings. It is said that the decorations are so intricate that only women's hands would be able to carve them. Girl power! However, according to Da, Banteay Srei was built by men.

Apart from the carvings, I also fell in love with the temple's color. Banteay Srei is made out of red sandstone, making its moat reflection one of a kind. Its lovely doorways and windows also caught my attention. However, you'll need to wait for other tourists to exit the temple before you can capture great doorway shots without getting photobombed heehee.

A huge part of Banteay Srei can only be viewed by tourists from afar. Temple caretakers would like to ensure that the fine carvings are not destroyed by visitors who may touch or step on them. But it's still a pleasant sight to see!

It'll usually take tourists only an hour to check out Banteay Srei as it is just a small temple. There are a lot of people who visit this temple in the morning and we were only able to have it for ourselves at noon. 

One can enjoy wearing anything they want when they visit Banteay Srei. Women do not need to cover themselves and there won't be any climbing either. It is simply a relaxed yet mesmerizing tour around the vicinity of Banteay Srei.

Angkor Wat

Angkor Wat is the largest religious monument in the world and one of UNESCO's World Heritage Sites. If you google Cambodia, photos and information about Angkor Wat will surely appear on your screen. But even if Angkor Wat photos are already widely scattered in the internet, nothing will be similar to the actual feeling of seeing this temple, I promise.

We felt like Lara Croft and Indiana Jones when we first step foot on Angkor Wat a little past 4:00 in the morning. We made sure we were there 2 hours before sunrise so that we could get the best seats in the house. If you arrive there after 4:45 am, there will already be a crowd in front of you.

When you enter Angkor Wat, the best place to wait for the sunrise is near the shops and in front of the moat / lily pond. If you're facing Angkor Wat, it should be on the left side.

Borrowed this photo from Running Around Melbourne website

Many tourists are not aware that it is okay to wear shorts or sleeveless tops inside Angkor Wat. They are forgiving when it comes to tourists because of the extreme heat so remember to wear breezy and comfortable clothing.

However, women are requested to cover their shoulders and wear clothing that go below their knees if they want to climb up Angkor Wat's prayer tower. Don't worry, there will be signs and guides who will tell you when you need to dress up. 

On our way to the prayer tower

It was such a fulfilling experience to finally see Angkor Wat in person. I had to pinch myself to make sure I wasn't dreaming.

Ta Prohm

The country's tourism was already booming even before Angelina Jolie started shooting her movie here. But obviously, Ta Prohm was even made popular by the 2011 Tomb Raider movie. Those who haven't been to Cambodia already knew about this jungle temple--we did too.

Lara Croft, yes? Haha.

Before locals started calling this "Tomb Raider", it was known as the Jungle Temple mainly because the place looks like it has been eaten up by nature. Enormous roots weave through the structure; some strong enough to butcher the walls and ceilings.

There was an on-going restoration project when we went to Ta Prohm as the government had to ensure that nature doesn't fully devour the place, making it unsafe for visitors.

Of course, I had to do a Temple Run shot

No need to cover yourselves when visiting Ta Prohm.

Angkor Thom

Some may mistake Angkor Thom for a temple--I did--but I learned that it was really a walled city with five monumental gates.

South Gate. See the Naga?

Blended well with the South Gate demons, just kidding :)

Angkor Thom is home to 54 towers, which are linked to the 54 provinces that once belonged to the Khmer Empire.

Bayon Temple

At the heart of Angkor Thom stands the Bayon Temple, also one of the highlights of the Angkor Wat complex. From a distance, you can already figure out why it is one of the preferred temples of tourists. It was my favorite too.

Huge face carvings gave Bayon its identity. According to Da, Bayon was also called the "Golden Tower" because some said that there used to have several golden Buddha statues inside. They're not there anymore, folks, don't push your luck hehe.

Tourists may also wear any comfortable clothing and footwear inside Bayon.

Baphuon Temple

Also situated inside Angkor Thom is Baphuon, the temple-mountain. I will never forget this temple because of its steep flights of stairs! And also because the view at the very top is amazing.

Baphuon is considered as one temple hill because of its five levels. But are you willing to climb to the very top if you knew that it is the most poorly constructed among all the temples in the Angkor Wat complex?

Visitors need to pay respect and dress appropriately when going inside Baphuon as some areas are still being used for worship. Women must cover their shoulders and wear clothing that go below their knees.

Pre Rup

I have acrophobia, really

Pre Rup is traditionally believed to serve as a crematorium in the early days because of its name. "Pre Rup" means "turning the body" and refers to a funerary method wherein the outline of a dead body is traced in the cinders, first in one direction, then doing it the other way around. Knowing this sent shivers to my body hehe.

 Tourists can also wear anything they want inside Pre Rup.

Before we went to Siem Reap, like Lara Croft, I also had a mission.

I planned to give Marv his best birthday ever. Before we left Cambodia on our last day, I asked him if he had fun.

And the moment he whispered "I enjoyed my birthday trip", I already knew my mission was complete.