Cambodia
- by Chris Thompson
Despite the fact Angkor Wat covers over 400 km2 and consists of numerous temples built between the 9th and 15th centuries it is probably best know for the "Tomb Raider" temple, Ta Phrom!
I must confess to being very excited about my trip to Siem Reap. It has always amazed me such an impressive site was only discovered by European explorers in the mid-nineteenth century. In fact Ta Phrom remains exactly as it was discovered, encased by the creeping roots of strangler figs and a must to be viewed at dawn. To see the sun breaking through the tree canopy enveloping the area in a mysterious, green light is eerie.
I spent three days visiting the temple site, this may seem a long time viewing temples but it need not be full days! So much depends on how much time you can afford. Your first visit can take in the main temples of Angkor Wat, Ta Phrom and The Bayon. You will require to be reasonably fit walking around in the heat and some areas such as the uppermost level of Angkor Wat can only be reached via a very steep staircase - more like a step-ladder.
A visit to the temples to witness the sunset and sunrise is crucial. You cannot help but be moved and will end up taking dozens of moody photographs!
Staying in Siem Reap you can also visit Tonle Sap Lake, Southeast Asia's largest freshwater lake and enjoy a relaxing boat trip with not a temple in sight!
Siem Reap has a large selection of hotels of every category and can now offer a huge choice of eating options with some very sophisticated restaurants and bars rubbing shoulders with authentic market food stalls. You will not be disappointed, or go hungry. Also, you will find some very interesting boutiques and the 'Artisans d'Angkor', just outside the temple site, had me considering the costs of a crate for the items I fell in love with!
Please do not think of Angkor as fusty, boring and ‘over-templed'. It is fabulous and works well with a visit to Thailand (as I did), Vietnam or if you feel like beach time, twin it with........... Langkawi for example. One of my favourite islands to chill.
As with any of the world's major sites, in particular any Unesco site, the number of visitors multiplies exponentially each year - my advice is visit soon.