28th November - In and around Siem Reap, including cruise to Tonle Sap Lake   Geoff Brock & Bruce Gamble
         
     

 
 
 
 

Siem Reap: River cruise to Tonle Sap lake
followed by visit to Angkor Wat
Tuesday 28th November 2017
 

Our second day in Siem Reap, also our last full day of the trip. We had definitely saved the best till last. It was a truly memorable day (in the best way possible) and a fitting conclusion to a wonderful holiday.
 
Before going to Angkor Wat, we drove out of town to Kompong Khleang village, where we got on a little boat for a trip down the river to the Tonle Sap lake.
 
Kompong Khleang village
 
Typical houses on stilts
 
Another temple!
 
 
 
 
 
 
Removing fish from nets
 
 
Kids coming home from school
 
 
 
 
Tonle Sap lake
 
Heading back
 
 
 
More kids
 
Our little boat
 

Angkor Wat... finally! We arrived there at lunchtime - the hottest time of day - but there was a plan! In order to experience the site without hordes of other tourists, this was the best time to come, according to our guide. He was right. By the time we left a few hours later, they were streaming in, whereas we had a very civilised visit.

Built some time in the 12th century under the reign of Suryavarman II, the temple represents the Hindu conception of the universe with the centre representing Mount Meru.
 
The bridge
 
West entrance
 
Reflections
 
Our guide has a good eye!
 
More reflections
 
The galleries
 
Bas relief
 
 
The main stairs to the upper levels
  
 
View from the top
 
 
 
 
 
 
Most walls were decorated
  
 
 
 
Courtesans of the sky
 
More galleries
 
More bas reliefs
 
 
 
The library
 
 
 
Built as a Hindu temple, Buddhists took it over
 
 
 
 
Shiva/Buddha
 
To top off the incredible sights we had seen today and to end our holiday in style, we went to the Embassy restaurant in Siem Reap. Traditional Khmer (Cambodian) cuisine in a French style. It was outstanding!
 
Bruce awaits the Degustation menu...
  
 
After the Amuse Bouche, Appetizer, Soup and sorbet, came the first main course - scallop and mushrooms.
The second main course - chicken with morning glory.
 
After dessert, the chef came to our table with a little gift!
 
Delicious! Highly recommended.
 
 
 
 
 
©Geoff Brock and Bruce Gamble