The reality
I had a concise time in Cambodia but was enough presence the painful history. Until nowadays, Cambodians don’t feel comfortable to talk about their past for fear from the government which still remains. Until 1979 (Khmer Rouge) the population had their property and homes confiscated, they were relocated to forced labor camps, watched family members die of exhaustion and murder, children were abandoned, education, healthcare, and economy stopped. Teachers, doctors, "thinkers person" and all “elite” were tortured and executed, counted as 2 million people murdered. The consequence is a poverty country in which the income is less than U$3 per day.
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| Angkor Wat |
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| Thumb painted from 1 week to show who has voted from the Country |
The Dream – Big Empire
It is ironic to think that Angkor was the capital city of the Khmer Empire, a megacity supporting at least 0,1% of the global population during 1010-1220. This makes it the largest urban agglomeration in recorded history before the Industrial Revolution, and its buildings use far more stone than all of the Egyptian structures combined. There are more than a thousand temples, and the major temples are around 1,000km2. Angkor Wat which means “city of temples” is the most massive religious monument ever built in the world. It is the UNESCO World Heritage site and considering the 7th Wonder of the World.
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| Angkor Wat |
The highlight of this short trip it was:
Ta Prohm – Nature strength over the man labor
Apart from the main temple, I was wondered to see the force of nature over the human building. Ta Prohm is famous for the large vines that strangle the ruins which makes that place magic and almost unreal.
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| Ta Phrom - Siem Riep |
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| Ta Phrom - Siem Riep |
Old Market – Where the fishes meet the clothes
I have been to many markets in my life, however, I have never seen staff sell everywhere from the top to the floor. What fishes were jumping into clothes stores is just one example. Another one is the different types of cheap protein selling everywhere (bugs and insects).
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| Óld Market, where the fishes meet the clothes |
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| Amok - Traditional Fish Soup |
Tonle Sap Lake
This place reminds me of Amazon, in Brazil which thousands of families were living on the floating houses which move everywhere. They make their lives fishing. I had a remarkable sunset view of this lake.
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| Tonle Sap Lake |
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| Tonle Sap Lake - Crocodile Farm |
A driver to recommend – Mr Lucky
To go from one temple to another, the best is to go with a taxi driver. We had a fantastic experience with Mr. Heng (Lucky), which make the most of our short period. His website you can book in advance.
http://www.angkordailydriver.com
An excellent option to stay in Siem Reap: Tan Kang
A clean place with excellent air-conditioning, breakfast, swimming pool and reasonable price.
Convenient location, close to the pub street, Night Market and Old Market.
If only I had more time to visit the great country but it was enough to be in contact with the beautiful people I found there and definitely, I will go back and more things to be written here.
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| Angkor Wat |
