As I ventured out of the "touristy" spots, I find
more and more time to connect to the temples. Yes, those
temples are grand and I don't want to sound like a selfish
ass (i.e. I admit I am contributing to the "tourist"
figures as well). But I find it hard to enjoy when there
are some many people queuing up for a shot at the picturesque
spots. Perhaps I am just a loner.
It
was already evening when I finished Preah Khan.
The temples (especially those in the grand circuit) often
close around 1730hrs. This is to ensure that visitors don't
lost their way while getting back to Siem Reap because it
can get really dark fast (I almost lost my way while getting
back to Siem Reap). It was at this time that you could see
the locals getting back to their villages after a hard day's
work. I don't think most travellers will know (at least
this is not mentioned in the guidebook), that there are
actually many villages surrounding the temples of Angkor.
While one might get the impression that the entire area
are filled with only touristy sites (especially when you
travel on the main routes), he might get first hand experiences
on a typical Cambodian village if he plucks his courage
and venture into the mud tracks. In fact, along the main
track between Preah Khan and Preah Neak Pean,
there exists such a village. Here, you can see kids cycling
on the mud tracks, teenagers hoarding cows for their mandatory
evening walk. And guess what, this is the first time the
locals are not offering you opportunities to buy postcards
and bracelets!
Was
surprised by the crowd that had gathered in the external
compound when I walked into Mommy's Guesthouse at 8pm that
evening. The boss asked me to park my electric bicycle at
a corner and joined into the party. His baby girl just turned
1 and he is throwing a birthday celebration. And most importantly,
there's free beer (I downed 3 cans of Asahi).
As
I lay on bed that evening, I told myself I will wake up
at 430am (with the help of my alarm clock) so that I can
make it for the sunrise at the temples. |
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|
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Talking
about overloading a motorbike - Along the way back to Angkor
Thom from Preah Khan |
| |
I
love parties!!! The boss of Mommy's Guesthouse was throwing
a party for his baby daughter who has just turned 1. He
had invited his relatives and guests alike for some free
food and beer. An English and his Austrian wife was playing
some games with the folks, keeping the party alive. |
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Due to
the party, I didn't had dinner that night. So after 3 cans
of Ashahi Beer, I ate bread (that happened to be my breakfast
as well) in my room while staring at the dim light.
Coupled with the fatigue (gathered while visiting the temples
whole day), I was really in dream-like state. I never slept
like that for the past couple of months. |
 |
God knows
why a boy is kneeling and praying in Prasat Kravan
(northeast Of Angkor Wat). |
 |
I eavesdrop
on the local guide stating that the holes on the pillars
were for decorative purposes. I seriously doubt so, but
I suppose that my view is of no great importance - Memories
from Prasat Kravan |
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In the
mood for love... Caught a Farang couple hugging each other
in a certain corner of Prasat Kravan. |
 |
A picturesque
view of the Sra Srang (Pool of Ablutions), just
east of Banteay Kdei. I don't think the folks on
the sampan (Malay term for a small boat) were out on leisure.
They were wearing uniforms similar to what I saw the cleaners
were wearing in other temples. This led me to think that
there were most probably clearing litter. |
 |
Got my
Angkor Beer T-Shirts from these folks after a young Cambodian
girl (not in picture) managed to coax me in buying a cold
drink with her. In the end, I paid USD$7 for a can of Angkor
Beer, a bottle of plain water and 2 Angkor Beer T-Shirts.
|
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A cute
little girl wondered into my path and ask me if I have a
dollar (US) to give her. I gave her a piece of chocolate
which I brought from Singapore. She took the chocolate and
looked at me, not knowing what to say. I captured the scene
on my camera. - Memories of Ta Prohm
|
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This is
interesting. I saw a man (he was alone) who was trying to
take a picture of himself in Ta Prohm with a timer
on his digitial camera. |
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Pg 3 |
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