1.) The smart way, driven by tuk-tuk to the many temples, in 1-3 days.
2.) The adventurous way, biking from the city to the village and through all of the many kilometers of temples, from before 6AM until well after 6PM.
We chose option two!
THE ANGKOR DAY:
We awoke not long after 5am, preparing for the big event. We grouchily arose and were soon ready to seek out an early morning bike rental. It seemed we were up earlier than staff members would have hoped, and the sorting out of bike renting took a bit longer than expected. We waited for the tires to be pumped and rode off as the dawn slowly began to break. As soon as we'd payed our fee ($2 each?) we were off to the ancient city. When we arrived (maybe a 20 minute ride later) and bought the one day pass, I sought out the nearest seller of iced coffee before widening my eyes to appreciate the historical beauty:
We first entered Angkor Wat, shortly after 6am. Here are photographs that speak thousands of words!
Then venturing on our bikes to the next temple, Angkor Tom. (It's upwards of 90 degrees now, and we're feeling it):
It was beautiful and majestic.
And it. Was. Hot.
We'd already gone through 4 ginormous bottles of water with electrolyte packs in them, and we seemed to sweat it out as quicker than we drank it.
We stopped for a brief lunch in a tent eating area, the food was surprisingly bad and the children peddled tremendously throughout the meal. Angkor Wat is quite a location for some tourist jackpot.
One young peddler girl was particularly persistent.
Girl: Hello, sir and lady. I know capitol of any state in America. You ask me, I get right, you buy my bracelet. What state you live in lady?
Me: Illinois.
Girl: Ok, lady from Illinois. You buy my bracelet. I tell you capitol of Illinois.
Me: No thank you.
Girl: Please, lady from Illinois. Mister from Illinois, buy girl my bracelet. I name you any capitol.
After the meal full of awkward conversation with many adorable children salespeople between bites, we were ready to perservere through the immense heat and exhaustion beginning to break through our positive psyche. Patience and excitement began to wear thinner.
But persevere we must, so you better believe we hopped right back on those bicycles and explored almost all of the temples in that one sticky day, like a couple of crazies.
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| She asked us for candy. We gave her superhero band-aids. |
Outside the temples, there were always locals selling their wares. I was interested in a fancy Angkor scarf a girl had, and as soon as the interest sparkled in my eye and the purpose in my step slowed, I was swarmed by 6 or 7 women hoping and expecting if I purchased one thing I could purchase 6 others. It was an intense moment of flailing before I bought a scarf from one and a bottle of water from another -- how do you choose the water saleswoman? Well, I left at least 4 unhappy faces believing I'd chosen wrong.
We quickly hopped atop our bicycles and continued the journey.
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| KG made me do it. |
By the last temple, end of the line, (you know the one, where Angelina Jolie shot Tomb Raider), we realized the sun that had risen so long ago would begin it's speedy descent any minute. Realizing also how very much further we had to bike back to the hotel in the dark, down the one unlit street through the ancient temples in the jungle. (Unlit roads through ancient temples in the jungle are exactly where mosquitoes like to hang out and try to find delicious American Tourist blood to snack on, apparently).
We survived another Suicidal Southeast Asian ride, and thankfully were able to wash our feet before 7.
