12 Days of Incredible Indochina – 3

The next morning, they each took a motorbike to the Royal Palace.  The entrance fee was US$ 3 per person.  They charged US$ 2 and US$ 5, respectively, for the use of a still camera and video cam inside.

The Palace was the royal abode of the Kingdom of Cambodia built in 1866, located in a compound composed of buildings such as the Throne Hall, Silver Pagoda, Khemarin Palace, Chan Chhya Pavillion, and a wonderful garden.  We also saw a miniature of the Angkor Wat.  Murals could also be seen in one of the buildings.  Stupas were all around.  There was also a small waterfall which people drank from.

Later, they hired a tuktuk, went to the Russian Market, and shopped for T-shirt at US$ 1-3.  The prices were incredibly lows.  After taking their lunch, they took the 12:30 pm bus bound for Siem Reap and paid  US$ 6.

As they approached Siem Reap, they observed lush green surroundings.  They arrived past 6 pm and they rode the tuktuk by Smiley’s Guesthouse.  It was a nice building with a fan twin bed room only for US$ 6.  She was even able to haggle it down to US$ 5.

They woke up early to visit the world-famous centuries-old religious monument Angkor Wat.  The temple was truly a sight to behold.  One can see the enchanting structure with a lake in front of it from afar.  The following are the major temples that are open to tourists:  Angkor Wat, Angkot Thom, Banteai Srei, The Bayon, Ta Prohm, Bakong, Preah Ko, The Baphuon, Ta Keo, and Preah Khan.  These were spread out in 40 miles around the village of Siem Reap.  These temples were built between 8^th and 13^th centuries when Khmer civilization was at its height of its creativity.  It ranges from single towers made of bricks to vast stone temple complexes.