Live and recent posts from across the Fediverse tagged #visitsiemreap, aggregated by home.social.
An early morning bike to West Baray and the very ancient khmer temple Ak Yum.
Situated on the south bank dike, you look down on this pre-khmer empire temple. Considered the oldest surviving temple mountain in Southeast Asia.
A truly unique feature is a well from the top of the temple leading to an underground cellar.
Some speculates that Ak Yum was part of the last capital city before the Khmer Empire.
#ancient #architecture #worldculturalheritage #khmer #visitcambodia #visitsiemreap
The triple hidden tower temple
Bat Chum is an "off the main track"-temple worth visiting.
One unique aspect of this temple is that the architect is known by name.
Bat Chum was supervised by the architect, minister and guru Kavindrarimathana to King Rajendravarman II approximately 952CE.
Another unique aspect, it was built as Mahayana Buddhist Temple when the Khmer Empire still had Hinduism as state religion.
#prasatbatchum #visitcambodia #bikingintheAngkorWonderland #visitsiemreap #AOTBT
Take a Rolls Royce to Angkor
Exploring on a bike is my primary style of visiting Angkor Archaeological Park. This beautiful Rolls Royce had brought a nice, elderly couple for their dream trip to Angkor for a long time.
I can understand that urge.
There are several companies renting out sporty and/or vintage cars for people looking for that special travel experience in Siem Reap. Or planning a very special event.
#westgate #angkor #kingdomofwonder #visitcambodia #visitsiemreap #rollsroyce
The midway surprise Prasat Rorng Ramong
This small temple is by the main road between Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom.
A glimpse from the early, old capital,
Rorng Ramong was built during the reign of Yasovarman I, the great king that moved the Khmer imperial capital from Hariharalaya.
This temple is significant because it gives a good idea of how these early temples was planned and build into the city structure.
#angkorwat #PrasatRamong #visitcambodia #visitsiemreap #worldculturalheritage
Late sunset dinner and snacks
Phnom Krom is one of three main hills framing the core parts of the Angkor former imperial capital.
Along the dwindling road leading up to the hill top, these small motorbike sales shops are abundant, selling food, drinks, snacks, picnic mats.
The customers are local khmer and visitors who enjoy dinner or snacks while watching the sunset over Tonle Sap lake.
And socialising, of course.
A ladybird beetle for big luck
This large ladybird beetle was a visitor next to me enjoying morning coffee. A forecast of a lucky day. Heading out to visit the Angkor Archaeological Park is always a happy experience.
TM: Biodiversity
There are 15 registered variants of Ladybug or Ladybird beetles in Cambodia. Probably there are many more.
When it comes to biodiversity, Cambodia is a well known hotspot in SEA.
#coccinellidae #goodluck #Harmonia #axyridis #visitcambodia #Ladybug #visitsiemreap
Colourful food in the making
Along the small inlets and between the rice fields along Siem Reap river down to Phnom Krom and the Tonle Sap lake, some local restaurateurs build these small huts on stilts in the background.
A family or travel party can order food and drinks, and relax in the shadow of the hut with a view to this tranquil landscape.
And the food and drinks are locally sourced and of high quality. With choices.
#Cambodia #Khmer #food #delicious #offthebeatentrack #visitsiemreap
Sunset at Preah Enkosei Temple
Preah Enkosei is between the modern Wat Enkosai, and regarded as the ancient khmer temple closest to modern Siem Reap city center.
Preah Enkosei was built as a three tower Hindu temple appx 950CE. The entrance Gopura is flanked by small lion guardian statues.
This temple is close to Siem Reap river, and it is an excellent target for an easy afternoon stroll along the river.
#PreahEnkosei #AngkorArchaeological Park #citylife #visitsiemreap #Cambodia
One of the great yearly events in Siem Reap in February is the Great Puppet Parade.
The puppets in the parade are made by local school children and teenagers. It is organised by local NGOs. Supported by professional artists and designers the result is mind-blowing.
Along with the puppets, there are live performances by artists and musicians. Showcasing what a vibrant art & culture scene the 2nd largest city in Cambodia have.
#puppetparade #visitsiemreap #vibrantcitylife #angkor #visitcambodia
Smoking good Khmer BBQ street food
When you want to buy street food in Asia, you will not lack choices.
Like chicken, quail, sausage, pork, pineapple from this happy chef.
Trick is to follow a local chef and her fav street food joint. Or – the joint with the longest queue.
And your nose, of course.
You can get well fed with left overs for 5 USD.
#2018CE #angkorfood #BBQ #eating #chicken #quail #sausage #pork #pineapple #foodie #Khmer #visitcambodia #visitsiemreap #worldculturalheritage
An evening with seafood Khmer BBQ
Tiger shrimps, squids and veggies on the BBQ, rice and one of M’me Khmer chefs own, home made dipping sauces.
And a beer.
That is great comfort food and drinks.
For seafood lovers
Cambodia is a great country for seafood lovers.
In a typical, classical Khmer diet around 60 percent of the protein are shellfish and crayfish from river, lake or sea.
And flavourful, worldclass Khmer rice.
#angkorfood #foodie #visitcambodia #visitsiemreap #seafood #bbq
Blue face in blue night
Night markets in Siem Reap are in several spots. This one is from the newest, established in 2018.
The blue colour of the hour just after sunset is enhanced by a large painting in blue variations of a Bayon portrait. These stylised portraits covers the facade of Bayon Temple in Angkor Thom.
The night markets are one of the night life activities in Siem Reap, visited by tourists and locals alike.
#angkor #nightmarket #artmarket #nightlife #visitcambodia #visitsiemreap
The colourful monastery
The living quarters for the monks at Wat Thmey monastery are not spacious, but definitely well cared for and maintained. And the details sure is a colourful statement.
This monastery is connected to Thammissararam Pagoda, in the Roluos village in Siem Reap Province.
I have visited this monastery several times, as part of attending Cheng Meng-rituals and Pchum Benh with Khmer friends.
#Buddhism #monks #Roluos #villagelife #visitcambodia #visitsiemreap #WatThmey
A split in the road….
…and the Apsara-crew took the road less travelled, because they make all the difference.
To manage, develop and maintain the vast human cultural treasure of the Angkor Wat and Angkor Park is a monumental task, literally speaking.
Apsara Authority are the organisation caring for the approximately 420 km2 area of Angkor Archaeological Park. It contains more than 70 larger temple sites, and over 1000 smaller sites.
Bringing food for mommy
My first visit to Angkor Wat green season 2011CE.
This couple, I guess brother and sister, had their priority and duty clear this early fall day.
Securing lunch for mommy, one of the Apsara staffers.
An important task making sure the maintenance and operation of the 8th Wonder of the World works smoothly and efficiently.
Worlds largest religious building was built in the 1150s.
#angkorwat #sunrise #2011CE #visitsiemreap #visitcambodia #khmerchildren #culturalheritage
The real heroes of Angkor Park
Early morning by the moat of Angkor Wat. This Apsara maintenance crew is doing vital and important cleaning duties.
This moat is a 1.5 km by 1.3 km rectangle, with a width between 190 to 200 meters. It encloses the whole Angkor Wat and symbolizes the cosmic oceans surrounding the Hindu god’s home. And provides a crucial foundational stability for the largest religious monuments in the world.
#angkorwat #worldculturalheritage #visitcambodia #visitsiemreap