Day 3 - Siem Reap THROWBACK THURSDAY

February 2015 - Siem Reap Cambodia

2015 Awesome Asian Adventure RECAP contains links to all daily posts.

Day 1 - Bangkok to Siem Reap, fish massage, market

Day 6 February 11 Siem Reap 

Today, continue your sightseeing of the Angkor temples. Unlike the other temples, TA PROHM has been left relatively untouched. Tree roots grow over and through the ruin walls, allowing you to experience the temple with the same wonder as the early explorers who discovered it.















Then, visit BANTEAY SREI, a unique temple dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. Unlike other temples, it is built on a small scale from red sandstone, which can be carved like wood.

This little guy was having his lunch of clams.




Next, stop at LES ARTISANS D’ANGKOR, a development project teaching young adults traditional handicraft techniques.

Of course, the shopping excursion. Nothing was purchased, but the box I bought at the market was cheaper here!

She's on her cell phone as she works.



The rest of the afternoon is at your leisure to explore this charming town. (Breakfast)

The bus dropped us at the market and we had a quick lunch at the Red Piano.
A stroll through the market first.








Some shoes...

A foot massage (again) for John and I had my hair coloured along with a massage.

Back to the hotel by tuk tuk and we decide to have a drink in the bar before heading out to dinner. It turns out that the dancers were putting on a show at the hotel so we ended up staying in for the show and dinner.







Egg rolls and satay, very good!

Day 2 - Siem Reap Cambodia

Siem Reap Cambodia - February 2015


Day 5 February 10 Siem Reap


We start with a delicious (included) buffet breakfast at our hotel. Then we get our name tags, head sets and we're off.

Italics tour description.

This morning, start your sightseeing of the TEMPLES OF ANGKOR. Constructed between the 9th and 13th centuries, the temples were built around the Khmer interpretations of Indian religious and political beliefs that ultimately evolved from Hinduism to Buddhism. The complex architectural grandeur of the Angkor temples is arguably unmatched among ancient ruins anywhere in the world.

First stop is the best preserved and most famous of all the temples: ANGKOR WAT, honoring the Hindu god Vishnu. Featuring five trademark towers and stunning bas reliefs, it has become a symbol of Cambodia.

It is getting very hard to describe these temples as they are just mind boggling.

John, ready to climb 70% grade staircase to top of temple.

Coming down!!

First, visit ANGKOR THOM to see the BAYON TEMPLE. One of the few Buddhist temples in Angkor, it features some 200 striking faces carved in 54 towers and impressive bas reliefs.

I think this was one of my favourites, mainly because of the carvings. Gods line one side and devils on the other.

Trying for nose to nose photo, taken by Kinal.

We had a group luncheon in town. Presentation is lovely and food was delicious.

We stayed in town and both had foot massages. Also did some shopping. there is so much to buy, you have to stop yourself.

This evening, enjoy a PRIVATE APSARA DANCE PERFORMANCE, where the ancient Khmer culture is brought to life by talented dancers, singers, and musicians. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Wearing glittering silk tunics, sequinned tops (into which they are sewn before each performance to achieve the requisite tight fit) and elaborate golden headdresses, they execute their movements with great deftness and deliberation, knees bent in plié, heels touching the floor first at each step, coy smiles on their faces. Every position has its own particular symbolism – a finger pointing to the sky, for instance, indicates “today”, while standing sideways to the audience with the sole of the foot facing upwards represents flying.