Cambodia 2010 : Angkor Wat

It was a cloudy day, so we didn't get to watch the sunrise over this ancient magnificent complex. We managed to hire a guide through our accommodation. The guide came to meet us in the morning and together with the tuk-tuk rider, we started our journey to Angkor Wat.

At the entrance, you'll be required to take a photo (like those at immigration) and pay for the entrance fee to the entire complex for the day. Back in 2010, it costs us USD20. 

Angkor Wat is one of the Unesco World Heritage sites in the world. It has been listed as one of the areas known for unsustainable tourism and you'd be able to see why.

It is difficult for one to grasp the entire story around the complex which were built during different empire of different kings.  

However, it will not fail to impress upon you how all these complexes are carved by men and built stone by stone. 

Most of the pillars will also have a motif that would reflect some of the mythical characters. This complex in particular is a library in the past. 

I find it hard to imagine how all these are hand-made in the past, one by one.

This is another mythical character which is commonly seen.

One of the newer looking temple complex.

Some restoration work going on to replace the eroded figures.

Some evidence of how certain ruins are now in jeopardy, due to increasing tourism and lack of preservation work around the temple complex. 

Here, our guide is explaining to us the significance and history of one of the many complexes. Our guide is an incredibly diligent person. To be able to gain employment as a guide, most of them have to take up a course in English to allow them to converse with tourist. As many of them were very poor, they have to study part time and work to earn a living and to pay for school fees. 

Some parts of the carvings which are properly preserved, or perhaps due to it being lesser known.

During our visit, many of the areas are also cordoned off for preservation work to take place.

One of the more popular grounds would be the Angkor Thom, or more popularly known as Bayon. This is where you can find 54 towers with 4 faces of Buddha on each side of the tower.

This is around the area of Little Circuit.

Everywhere around the complex, you'll find little children either trying to beg for money or to sell you souvenirs. If you purchase from any one of them, within seconds, you'll be surrounded by many other children. It's a pity because some of these children are of age for education but they're all mired in poverty and were forced to work.

The area of the complex is so vast, it's impossible for you to go around on foot. We went around by tuk-tuk and we took almost entire day to finish going around all the different temple complexes.

Here's also another popular spot where the princesses of the past take their path.

And this is perhaps the start of the journey of the popular churning of the of ocean path. This is one of the most popular myth about good versus evil. 

Some of the areas have also reflected a strong Hinduism history. There would carvings of the Hindu deities and many of these areas are considered sacred. 

 Some of these are still considered a place of worship for the locals.

Restoration work takes place from time to time to restore the old buildings.

The temple complexes of along the Little Circuit.

This is a popular spot for many tourists who have been to Angkor Wat. This is at Ta Prohm, famous for the humongous tree which have literally rooted into the temple complex. 

While many of us may not be able to fully relate to the myths and historical background of these temple structures and the entire complex, we could however be in awe of how all these were done in the past where technology is unheard of. There is no excavator, trucks and lorry. To just think of the strength needed for to transport all these limestone and huge rocks to build these complexes is beyond my imagination.

Hopefully the place will be preserved in more earnest measures, so that while the tourism industry can generate income for the locals, it will also be a sustainable one to ensure a longer income period for them. At the same time, the place will also be a learning testament to the younger ones of how one of the ancient worlds can build this place of glory in the past without the help of advanced technology and with only sheer submission and determination.

Cambodia 2010 : Siem Reap - Visit to artisan D'Angkor

We visited artisan D'Angkor's workshop during our stay in Siem Reap. The workshop is not big, but it houses some of the best artists who do really good carvings and weaving,

Here's one piece of metal so meticulously carved by a man sitting in a corner. One piece like this would probably take weeks to complete. That explains why each piece of this art is not cheap. 

Here, we see another artist doing some wood carving in front of some tourists.

Some of the utensils use in the process of carving.

Here's one piece of a beautiful elephant with the artist's goggles on!

And here's another work in progress, drawing the pattern on the head of Buddha.

A glimpse of the workshop. Most of these artists work on the floor.

Then, we moved to another section where there were loads of cocoons and worms around.

From the worms, there is then a process of harvesting all these cocoons before boiling them to retrieve the silk.

Once the silk is all retrieved, and after some cleaning process, they will be put through some easy machinery to make sure they're not tangled and then they're all hang to dry. 

This is part of the dying process where they put the silk that they've dried through some colours.  

Then, the weaving begins.

This section is mainly manned by women who are generally more nimble, thus suitable for this work. 

We were also shown the food that they feed the worms.

More weaving machines..  

On the way out to the sales room, we would also see some of the traditional machinery on display.

End result of all the labour intensive work are these beautiful traditional garments.

And a beautiful shade of scarves for sale.

I think it gives a person a better appreciation of the toil and sweat behind the scene which produces a simple product like the scarf, which we tend to take for granted.

The fact that they're sewn by hand makes it exclusive for each man-made piece is always unique on its own, unlike a machine-made piece.

Cambodia 2010 : Siem Reap - Cambodia Land Mine Museum and Relief Facility

We finally reached Siem Reap the next day and without further ado, we hired a tuk-tuk to get us to the Cambodia Land Mine Museum and Relief Facility.

Cambodia is probably one of the countries that are inflicted by the woes of landmines. There are many sad stories about landmine casualties and often, you would find some of the victims employed by these non-profit organisation to man the museums and to educate people about the landmine woes. 

There were many artifacts of the artillery and rockets found, as well as photos of how the mines were defused.

There is also a backyard where some of the war transport were shown, many of them rusty and in rundown condition. You would often find signs to be wary of landmine and watch where you step. I remember the trepidation treading along the area not knowing whether all the landmines in the area have been successfully cleared. 

The location of the landmine museum is not too far from a school. We saw many school children leaving the area after school. 

These are some of the available war transports in the backyard.

Sometimes, we would also come across these round things. There was a guide with us at that time, who happened to be a victim of landmine explosion. He lost several fingers in the unfortunate episode but because he was not very well-versed in English, it makes communication difficult for him to explain the artifacts to us. 

On our way back, we saw a motorcyclist with all his items for sale heading towards the town center. According to the tuk-tuk rider, many of these items were handsewn by the villagers.

By the time we got back to the town area, we were still rather early for the Angkor Night Market.

So we headed to a nearby massage parlour to have a taste of Khmer massage.

This was one of the many massage parlours near the night market area. Khmer massage turns out to be similar to Balinese massage, without the use of oil. It was a lot gentler than Thai massage. 

The Angkor Night Market is another tourist attraction. Most of the visitors to the market area are tourists. 

The market sells a host of souvenirs, be it t-shirts or accessories, and you could also find some eateries and pubs in it. There are also shops for you to have your pedicure and manicure done. 

If all those are not what you were looking for, why not pay USD1 or 2 for a time of fish massage? There is a rather huge pond in the middle of the market where you could get the little fishes to nibble away your dead skin. There was no time limit when I was there and I was even treated to a can of soft drinks. 

You would also find paintings, watches and sunglasses on sale. So if you're looking for souvenirs, this may be your to-go place in Siem Reap!