Time for the biggest, or at least the most famous, attraction of Cambodia - the Angkor Wat. I've been to many temples, many impressive ruins, but this one is supposed to be the King of it all. It's one of the World's Cultural Heritage places. There are millions of people visiting Angkor to see these ruins, and it all can be done from Siem Reap.
 
I found out that the visitors pass is quite expensive fo a tourist, while free for a national. There is a one day pass for $20, three days for $40 and $60 for five. I opted for the 20 dolalrs one. I learnt that buying it after 4:30 pm for the next day, you can still enter the complex that evening to watch the sunset over the Angkor Wat. I met a couple from San Francisco, and we decided to do it together. The Angkor Wat is some 14 kilometers from town, so we hired a tuk tuk for $2 each. We got there at about 5 pm, bought the passes, and went to get the first glimpse of the temple.
 
What they call Angkor Wat is by the way not just one temple, but a whole complex which consists of many temples built in different times and representing different styles and themes. Some things to see are not even temples, but rather places of significance. I am quite excited to have the opportunity and see them.

Photo:  Angkor Wat, Cambodia → After the gate, we hop again on the tuk tuk and drive to the Angkor Wat. The whole Angkor temples complex is a huge area, and you need a bicycle or a tuk tuk to explore it. A few minute later we are off and walk towards the temple. It's exactly 18:00.

Photo:  Angkor Wat, Cambodia → There is a moat around it, and they are actually not sure what was it's original designation. One theory is that it supplied water for the builders.

Photo:  Angkor Wat, Cambodia → First we have to cross the gates.

Photo:  Angkor Wat, Cambodia → The gate.

Photo:  Angkor Wat, Cambodia → Then there is a long walk to the temple of Angkor wat. We are actually not going all the way there, but instead, for the sunset, everyone goes to another temple, climb it and we will watch the sunset over Angkor Wat from there. This is what you see after getting through the gate.

Photo:  Angkor Wat, Cambodia → The first closer look at the mighty Angkor Wat. Unfortunately, they were doing some conservation and part of it is covered with green mesh. This is how far we got today. Now a u-turn and back on our ride. We will have lots of time to explore the temples the next two days.

Photo:  Angkor Wat, Cambodia → Already on our tuk tuk, on the way to the sunset watching spot.

Photo:  Angkor Wat, Cambodia → Our driver at work ;)

Photo:  Angkor Wat, Cambodia → This is where we park. Our driver goes for a nap, and we for a walk.

Photo:  Phnom Bakheng, Angkor Wat, Cambodia → We will climb on top of this temple, the Phnom Bakheng. The sun is already slowly setting down. I wonder what it going to be like. I remember the sunrice over Tikal in Guatemala. It was foggy, so we didn't see anything. Similar in Java, Indonesia, when I went to see the sunrise over Gunung Bromo. We'll see.

Photo:  Phnom Bakheng, Angkor Wat, Cambodia → A lot of people have the same idea. Not a big surprise there - it's Angkor Wat! One of the World's wonders!

Photo:  Phnom Bakheng, Angkor Wat, Cambodia → I always wondered why all these ancient temples, be it Central or South America, Cambodia or another Asian country, always have the steps so steep and high. Especially that the people living there are by nature not very tall on average, and a thousand years ago they were even shorter.

Photo:  Phnom Bakheng, Angkor Wat, Cambodia → Finally on top. Not that many people yet, but there will be more. Time to find a good spot and relax.

Photo:  Phnom Bakheng, Angkor Wat, Cambodia → 18:45. Sitting and waiting.

Photo:  Phnom Bakheng, Angkor Wat, Cambodia → This is what we have been waiting for, the sunset.

Photo:  Phnom Bakheng, Angkor Wat, Cambodia → Angkor... what? Can't see it. Never mind. It looks like it's just trees, but the sunset looks good so far, so never mind.

Photo:  Phnom Bakheng, Angkor Wat, Cambodia → It's 19:00. The sun is gone and it's time to go back to the guest house. Tomorrow wake up time: 4 am. We asked our driver to come to pick us up at 4:30. It's going to be hard to wake up! But it will be an exciting day.

Tomorrow we are getting up really early to arrive at the same spot at Angkor Wat, but this time to see the sunrise. Sunrise at Angkor