May 2019

Our final full day in Cambodia could not have been any more diverse or awe inspiring! Departing the hotel at 4:45 a.m. we joined the masses sitting or standing awaiting mother nature’s artistic sunrise display above Angkor Wat.

As we exited from this location we encountered an active troop/tribe of pigtail macaque monkeys. Research varied on the number of macaque monkeys at Angkor Wat, but estimates are 60 monkeys. Although the macaque played, groomed, and interacted with each other near well used pathways it is always wise to remember that these monkeys are wild and their personal space should be respected.

Here is a collage showing a sample of our day in Cambodia.

Our Intrepid group was off exploring two more temples. Prasat Ta Prohm is the famous temple in the Jungle featured in the Tomb Raider movie. We also visited another small temple Prasat Kravan. Our final group experience in Cambodia was to attend a Apsara Khmer Cultural Dance Performance and buffet dinner.

Departing from our hotel at 4:45 a.m. we drove in darkness to Angkor Wat and carefully followed our guide along the dark path to the favorite look out location. Luckily May is “off season” because clearly this is a popular tourist attraction and hundreds of other tourists were also gathered here to wait for the mysterious display of colors and hues which would light up Angkor Wat this morning. The sky was lovely and if you were close enough to view the reflection on the water it truly was quite spectacular. 

As we returned to our bus we were entertained by the antics and activity of a tribe of pigtail macaque monkeys. The macaque monkeys had appeared near the pathway after the sunrise and were busy playing, grooming, and eating. There were several tiny babies snuggled in tight to their mothers and the parents were keeping a close eye on their babies. As they traveled from location to location the babies hung on underneath or on top of their parents.

Tourists were venturing close to the monkeys. Research uncovered that there have been previous attacks/altercations between the monkeys and humans at Angkor Wat temples. Monkeys are fascinating to observe, but in my experience wild animals (especially mothers with babies) should be treated with an element of caution and personal space. However, the interaction and love displayed between mother and baby monkeys warmed my heart.

Heading northeast our next destination was the jungle-covered temple Prasat Ta Prohm famous in the Western world as the setting for the movie Tomb Raider.

What an incredible location for a photo shoot! Enormous gnarled trees exposed roots and branches that encompassed piles of ancient bricks from remaining ruins of this 12–13 century temple. A feral orange minx cat even appeared out of an opening in the stone wall. Hues of green from various types of algae and moss thriving against the grey/rust stone left a damp, magical sentiment.

This Bayon style temple, originally founded by Khmer King Jayavarman VII in the late 12th to early 13th Century, was intended as a Mahayana Buddhist monastery and university. The original name was Rajavihara. Conservation and restoration of this magnificent temple is a partnership project between Cambodia and the Archaeological Survey of India.

Our next temple stop Prasat Kravan was a small, less popular tourist location.

Kravan is a small 10th-century temple consisting of five reddish brick towers on a common terrace. The Hindu temple was dedicated to Vishnu. After about 10 minutes we were back on the tour bus!

This video reflects our adventures from Sunrise at Angkor Wat to Macaque monkeys and magical Ta Prohm temple!

 

We appreciated relaxing in the hotel pool between the sights of the day and the evening of Khmer culture –traditional dance and buffet. Sadly, one member of our Intrepid tour group slipped on the rain covered tiles while exiting the pool and sustained a nasty fall. She was a trooper but the injury resulted in the couple missing our final dinner together in Cambodia. Accidents happen so unexpectedly, it certainly is a reminder to buy medical insurance before you travel globally.

The rooms we received at the Dinata Angkor boutique hotel in Siem Reap ranged from satisfactory to quite lovely. Our room was quite lovely, but as we entered the room we could overhear a ferocious dog fight nearby. From our balcony we overlooked a dirt courtyard. A dog run fence was located along a white walled building. 

When the green metal gate was left open stray dogs entered the dirt courtyard harassing and threatening the dogs in the narrow fenced area. Adults would eventually chase the strays out with brooms and close the gate. We were thankful we spent very little time at our hotel.

The Apsara Khmer dancers were performing at a lovely hotel nearby. Several of us wore our Khmer scarfs to the event in honor of our tour guide Sareth and the Cambodian people.

The Apsara dance is based on a legend that Cambodia originated from the union of the hermit Kampu and the Apsara Mera. The dance dates back to the 6th and 7th centuries.

The main dancer wearing white represents Mera. The other females clad in colourful regalia are her maidens. Although the female dancers are serious and seem to show no facial emotion, ironically the dance depicts happiness and prosperity for the country.

The female dancers were beautiful and feminine. The costumes were ornate including silk, extensive jewelry and make up, and headpieces. The dances were slow moving and graceful with wrists, hands and eyes embellishing the story message. The men seemed to have the character parts–demons, monkeys. The youth dancers who performed demonstrated vitality, fun, and playfulness.

This pictorial video represents our entertaining Khmer Cultural dance and buffet experience!

 

The buffet dinner was extensive including Khmer/Cambodian food options: Amok Cambodian curry, BBQ, curry soup, mango salad, fish amok, and Khmer desserts.

What a memorable and lovely way to celebrate our last evening in Cambodia.

Tomorrow our Intrepid tour agenda includes a 10 hour bus trip exiting Cambodia and returning to Thailand!