Joe Louis scales an Angkor temple
The theme song was playing in my head. Dun Duduntaah. Dun Dundaaaa.
I wasn’t wearing a fedora, but my hiking shoes gave me a sense of adventure. I looked around the temple grounds. It was quiet and the sun was quickly rising in the distance. I approached the table in the center of the temple slowly. Took a deep breath. 1. 2. 3. I touched the egg-shaped stone positioned on the table and began to run down the labyrinth of stairs leading out of the temple structure. The theme song played louder in my head. I could feel the large boulder the size of a MiniCooper was barreling down on me. I ran for dear life.
Finally, outside the temple, somewhat at safety, I paused to catch my breath. I escaped the relentless boulder, but the locals would be here soon. There is no time to rest for an action hero.
Siem Reap, Cambodia
Get there early
Tourists flock to the Angkor temples starting at around 8:30AM. If you get there a little after 7, you will mostly have them to yourself (and the little children trying to get money). Being able to move freely is a lot more fun than sidestepping passed foreigners posing for pictures.
Use your imagination
Ancient temples are interesting and pretty to look at, even if many are in ruins. But by applying a little creativity, they come alive!
Not just the bigs
Angkor Wat gets all the press. Tourists line up at 5AM to get a good spot for a sunrise photo. It is the largest religious temple in the world. But too many people visit Angkor Wat and hightail it out of Cambodia. I actually enjoyed the smaller temples more.
There’s a jungle temple. The temple with faces carved into the side. The temple by the water. Don’t sleep on the other Angkor temples.
See what other blogs are saying about Phnom Bakheng:
“Phnom Bakheng is one of Angkor’s oldest temples. It was built as a state temple between the late ninth and early tenth centuries, when King Yasovarman constructed it as the centerpiece of his new capital, Yasodharapura, later absorbed into Angkor. The first mountain-style temple built there, Phnom Bakheng represents Mount Meru, home of the Hindu gods. Despite its architectural and historical significance, the temple is popular today mainly for its panoramic view of Angkor Wat, particularly at sunset.”
–World Monuments Fund
