Today we are making a video where we will be sharing some of our tips for visiting the
temples of Angkor in Siem Reap, Cambodia.
We just finished a three day tour there.
It was an excellent trip all in all but we did learn a few things along the way that
we'd like to share with you.
Okay, point number 1.
We would suggest you go for three days instead of one.
There are just so many temples to choose from.
There is no way you would be able to fit in all of them main ones into one day.
There is an option for a seven day pass but we both think it is way too much.
You would be templed out by the end of that.
You really would be.
In just one day if you try to cover all of the main temples, all of the temples you'd
like to visit, it just wouldn't be any fun.
You would be going from maybe six or seven in the morning right up until five at night.
Given the heat and humidity here that is just totally unpleasant.
Not pleasant at all.
Tip number two is get up early to visit the temples.
You're gong to have to get up a lot earlier than you might think.
On our first day here we got up at seven in the morning.
We thought that would be early enough but by eight o'clock it was already scorching.
We actually learned our lesson by visiting Bayon first in Angkor Thom.
It was overrun by package tourists at the time.
We probably go there around eight o'clock.
We had to buy our passes and whatnot but every day after - the two other days - we got up
at five and it was a much better experience.
Sometimes we even had the temple all to ourselves, so set your alarm for four thirty in the morning
and you can be there by five and it'll be a completely different experience.
A perfect example of that was at Banteay Srei.
We were the first people there and we got a VIP tour, so even if you're not a morning
person, get up early and you'll be rewarded for it.
Point number three.
Take a tuk-tuk instead of a bicycle.
We noticed a lot of people actually riding bicycles and they did not look ecstatic at
all.
Yeah, how did they look?
If it is your first time in Siem Reap you may think 'oh the temples are not that far
away.
I can totally go there on a bike' but really it is a bit of a ride even to the main temples
that are nearby.
We would recommend taking a tuk-tuk.
They can drive you around from one site to the next.
You'll be well rested and that way you can actually wander around, explore on foot and
not be exhausted.
The drivers know where they are going.
A lot of people don't realize just how many temples there are and just how big that area
is - the Temples of Angkor.
It is enormous.
Even if you knew exactly where you were going you would be logging a lot of time on your
bike as opposed to walking in the temples, which at times can be kilometers in length.
Like Angkor Thom is a good example of that.
That is a very long temple to explore.
Next we are going to tell you what are favorite temples were.
My favorite one, I know it is kind of cheesy, is Angkor Wat the main temple.
I really enjoyed watching the sunrise there.
This was my first time in Cambodia and I felt like the temple itself really lived up to
my expectations.
You met some new friends as well.
Yes, I did make some friends with people from Uruguay.
I overheard them speaking Spanish, so we had a nice little chat while we watched the sunrise.
It was good.
Okay, it may have been my first time visiting the Temples of Angkor but Sam over here has
been four times.
Tell us, what was your favorite temple this time around?
Well, this time around it was actually Banteay Srei and that was because we were the first
people on site.
The previous times I've visited that temple it has always been crowded.
I've always left later in the day and I've just been competing for elbow space with other
tourists.
It wasn't a temple that I actually enjoyed that much in the past.
Being the first there and getting a VIP tour, which is a really special experience.
That was just incredible.
It totally changed my opinion of the temple.
I felt like I was there exploring.
I felt like I was having an intimate experience.
You can get that by waking up early.
That is one of the main tips that we've suggested for people visiting the temples.
Those are our suggestions.
We hope you really enjoy your visit to the Temples of Angkor.
Have fun!
Yeah!