Asia — Siem Reap, Cambodia

We arrived in Siem Reap around 8 at night after a long bus ride from Phnom Penh.

The next day we hired a tuk tuk driver to take us around the Angkor complex, specifically to the temples the furthest away, skipping the famous Angkor Wat. The first temple ruin we visited was Preah Khan.

In all temples shoulders and knees should be covered

Lots of rubble

This is where it decided to grow

Neak Pean

Walkway to Neak Pean

Ta Som

Tree roots taking over

Pre Rup

Banteay Kdei

Downtown Siem Reap

The second day

we wanted to have our freedom of touring the complex at our own speed rather than having someone wait on us, and our solution was an electric bike. For some reason I think it's illegal for tourists to rent scooters there so this was a way around it. We could have rented bicycles but the e-bike was a welcome relief to not bike in the heat. Basically, the e-bike can cover 32km on one charge by going 20km an hour. So we headed off toward the complex and explored some ruins.

By going slower we were able to see more of our surroundings and we stopped to watch the monkeys. A cart was nearby selling bananas and some green fruit to give to the monkeys. After working up the courage and noticing that none of the monkeys were aggressive I got closer and closer to take photos and film. I finally even handed one monkey some fruit and the monkey reached up and took it out of my hand.-Definitely an amazing experience. I couldn't get over how human-like they were. When the babies stood up on their back legs they looked like little humans. So trippy.

After our monkey visit, we continued onto the huge ruin of Bayon. I enjoyed this temple due to all the carved heads in the stone at the top.

Next we explored the terrace of elephants and Baphuon.

A monk climbing the stairs at Baphuon

Baphuon

B riding through the Victory Gate

All the climbing up steps in the heat was getting to us and we were getting exhausted. We stopped for lunch, toured a small ruin, and got ice cream outside Ta Prohm. We noticed that it was mostly shaded so we decided to check this last one out for the day. This is my favorite temple. There are so many trees growing up in the ruins with roots and tree trunks resting on the walls. I have fallen in love with the Banyon tree. I was told they filmed a shot of Tomb Raider there. Unfortunately there were large groups of Japanese tourists there at the same time and it was difficult to get good photos sans people.

Compilation found throughout the ruins

For the last day

, we tried to get an early start and get to Angkor Wat before the crowds. However, we didn't get there as early as I would have liked and the harsh sun was spoiling all my photos so I got upset and we ended up leaving, planning on coming back later.

Apsaras

Not sure what this sculpture is

At the back of Angkor Wat

Then we had another monkey visit; this time Brentwood offered the monkey mango and that got their attention. The monkey jumped on him to grab the mango and then another monkey jumped on him to get another piece. They must like their mango! He had to shake them loose but then they started investigating our scooters and sitting and hanging all over them. We enjoyed the entertainment but eventually had to move on to see the remaining temple ruins.

Monkey on top of Brentwood

Monkeys like mango

Monkey on the driver's seat

Just hanging around

Look at that baby!

At this point, all the temples started to look the same, same ole stone, same ole stairs, but we explored regardless.

Another monkey encounter

Then we hiked up a hill to a ruin where people go to view the sunset. You can see Angkor Wat from there but we weren't impressed and left. We headed back to Angkor Wat and I was able to get much better photos since the sun was behind me. We sat and watched the changing light on the temple and took it all in.