Siem Reap

« I'm still trying to grasp the vibe of this place. The temperature was... what I consider rare. As for the environment around me, everything flows according to my own rhythm. Five elements. The electric vibes melt away before my eyes. The pipes run with water. 😌🎉 During my meeting with the lunar eclipse and something about Anchorage, things seemed to change. I can't quite figure it out. I hope this isn't related and everything is just fine. Also, no need to stress out about it. 😤😄 »

« Here we go! The red khmers shot at the walls of the temple - our guide enthusiastically told us about the history of Cambodia. In front of us stood the magnificent and ancient Angkor Wat. At first glance, it felt like some inexplicable riddle and mystery. So much he hides within himself.

We crossed the bridge over the water trench, which was dug by hand around the temple. And the greatness of Angkor opened up before us with all its vastness. It invited us into the cool dark walls.

At the entrance, we were greeted by a hospitable and multi-faced God Vishnu with blooming eyes and a gentle smile.

Somewhere deep inside the temple lay a statue of reclining Buddha. It is believed to be the oldest and was crafted immediately after his death. Many Buddhist pilgrims visit Angkor Wat specifically for it.

We walked down a long corridor. The walls narrated the history of the ancient kingdom. The lives of kings were preserved in bar reliefs on each segment. Battles, marriages, loves, children, grandchildren, wives - everything inevitably found its way into history. At that time, all this was shimmering with gold.

I was absorbed in the distant past. I imagined how the emperor or priest walked through these places. And the spirit was filled with the essence of such ancientness.

Later, we climbed some steep stairs up to the very top. We had to wait through the queue of tourists from different countries to get there. At the top, there was a huge base. Just imagine the bearers carrying it up from the bottom, climbing up the steep stairway. They could have been carrying not just one vessel, but two, unable to reach the top with such a steep path. It's interesting how much time passed for them there?

It’s amazing to think that this place used to be bustling with life, and to construct such structures must have taken incredible effort. Scholars still debate how this temple stands and doesn’t collapse over so many centuries. After hearing all this, you start to believe in some celestial forces.

All in all, Angkor Wat fascinated me much more than the pyramids in Egypt. Such an atmospheric place. »

« Here’s what the atmosphere is like in Cambodia... I still don’t understand much, but it feels like I've stepped back in time, as if I’m in a past era with a hint of the Soviet vibe 🤔🤔🤔 Here’s a pic, by the way, without filters... you can really feel the essence here. »

« Was it worth it or not?
Definitely worth it!

Among the highlights of our trip:

❤️ Beautiful Ankor
The blend of nature and human talents is woven here into one incredible masterpiece.

❤️ National Park Phnum Kulen
The sheer power and beauty of nature are sprinkled with breathtaking waterfalls.

❤️ Stunning beach Otres
Here, it’s genuinely pleasant to swim, with soft sand and unforgettable sunsets.

A scoop of honey in our barrel was also a delightful find.

❄️ Although the prices here aren’t overly high, they are clearly quite inflated.

❄️ From the Khmer kitchen, I tried just the soup, but somehow it wasn't quite right. The breakfast selection after Bali was also disappointing. But here, you can taste many European dishes from various foreign chefs.

❄️ We weren't too fond of the locals we encountered. Though it could be just that they're all in the tourism industry 🧐.

❄️ I really dislike it when my money is considered, and the phrase "This only costs a dollar" sounds all too common.

❄️ The price and quality level have nothing in common. We booked two different rooms at the same price, but in reality, the comfort and service vary greatly.

You know, I’m really happy that we managed to make this trip happen. Ankor was my long-time dream😍, and I’m grateful to my wonderful partner and fate😘 for making it a reality.

Travel! It enriches, inspires, and not only fills your life with events and emotions but also with new discoveries.

Want to travel to Cambodia after my revelations? Or is it not tasty enough to be worth it? »

« And here I am again in Ankara. Day 2. January 22, 2018. You have to come and see! The scale is unimaginable! So many thoughts! And the atmosphere is incredible. Emotions are through the roof. If you get the chance to visit this place and love similar experiences - the journey is worth it!

In the evening, I bought a ticket to the DREAM! Today I'm adding one more to my list of stories. 🤶🏽🧙🏼‍♂️

Get ready for a surprise! 👋🏽👋🏽👋🏽 Stay tuned! 😏 »

« "Ahhhhh!!! So many impressions! Not only did I get food poisoning and went with a sick stomach and terrible nausea, but it was worth it! Even though we covered only a small part of 200 km of temples and temple complexes, the experiences will last a long time!" »

« Best experiences in Cambodia are definitely Siem Reap with Angkor! :) »

« I fell in love with Siem Reap! And I'm enjoying our home and its views! »

« The must-see program in Angkor includes three temples - Angkor Wat, Ta Prohm (the one reclaimed by the jungle), and, of course, the magnificent Bayon. A unique feature of this temple is its numerous towers, adorned with large stone faces, often in a half-smile. There are 216 faces in total (!) and most of them bear a striking resemblance to King Jayavarman VII, who built this temple. A bit of self-admiration, I suppose, since he couldn't take selfies every day 😼. The temple is endlessly cool, deserted, and the energy of the place is beyond words. Just look at the photo, it shows one tower and two faces. Moreover, Bayon gifted the world the "Smile of Angkor" - the third iconic symbol of Cambodia. Some faces have a mysterious half-smile, while others are serious, and some appear quite stern. It’s this half-smile that sparks a wild desire in people to travel to Siem Reap, recognizable by millions around the globe! 🌅🗿🗿🗿 Just think about the countless hours and immense effort put into creating this place - it’s mind-boggling 😧. »

« 6 meters above the ground in Angkor. Why is riding solo so wonderful? Because you can do whatever you want, however you want, and for as long as you need, as long as it’s not against the law. I climbed one of the temples and wandered over its roof. A bit of physical effort, a bit of desire, and there you are, standing atop 700-year-old stone architecture in the middle of the jungle, the atmosphere wrapping around you in such a way that this moment alone made every effort to get to Cambodia worthwhile. The strange sounds of the jungle, the total absence of people, the coolness of the morning combined with the scorching sun, the mold on the stones, the scent of natural age and dampness. If you raise your arms and close your eyes, it will surely transport you back to those wild and magnificent times of the Khmers...😧👻💥 »