The finish is done at the airport Siem Reap . On leaving the plane the smell of incense and frangipani flower and a dry weather around 30C welcome me and announce how it will stay nice. For the record it is-5C currently has Busan. After completing some documents and paid $ 20, I get my entry visa. A taxi waiting for me, it's 9am, I'm off to the hotel.
site Angkor "is the ancient capital of Khmer Empire which flourished from the ninth the fifteenth century . Its ruins are classified as World Heritage of Humanity by the Unesco . "
Find all the info on Angkor here.
The site is huge and deserves some attention here at least 3 days. The good thing is that this is not mere ruins and fallen stones, but that most temples are very well preserved for several reasons.
I had nothing but everything is organized well, the brother of my taxi-driver is itself conductive tuk-tuk. A phone call is over and the tuk tuk is arranged.
Just enough time to make the journey to my hotel, take a shower, put on shorts and get out the sunglasses.
's go for the visit.
Just enough time to make the journey to my hotel, take a shower, put on shorts and get out the sunglasses.
's go for the visit.
site Angkor "is the ancient capital of Khmer Empire which flourished from the ninth the fifteenth century . Its ruins are classified as World Heritage of Humanity by the Unesco . "
Find all the info on Angkor here.
The site is huge and deserves some attention here at least 3 days. The good thing is that this is not mere ruins and fallen stones, but that most temples are very well preserved for several reasons.
1) The temples are all built on the same model, representing Mount Meru , the center of the world and home of the gods in Hindu mythology.
According to legend, Mount Meru would top 450 000 km, is located on a sea or a lake and surrounded by mountain ranges.
According to legend, Mount Meru would top 450 000 km, is located on a sea or a lake and surrounded by mountain ranges.
Therefore as seen in the photo above taken from Wikipedia , temples all have this common architecture, temple-shaped mountain surrounded by huge walls and moats. And so this is what has over the centuries to preserve these temples of the invasion of the jungle and the progressive destruction.
2) Although some giant trees have managed to become embedded and grow in unlikely places, the site was never completely abandoned. 
First Buddhist monks what are the appropriate diverting some sculptures Vishnu (Hindu god) to representations of Buddha, and later explorers undertook the protection and restoration of the site.
Only during the years "Khmers Rouges" (see my previous article) that the site remained inaccessible to the rest of the world and he was sacked so methodical. Today the remaining works, which are not part of the structure of the temples are in the museum of Siem Reap . 
Here I am before Angkor Wat , the Main Temple of Angkor site , because of its size, its majesty, its integrity, the quality of his sculptures ... So the best known and one that takes more time to visit. Visit count 2h + 1 hour to stroll in the park.
Exit from the normal visit is highly recommended and can help you discover the temple from a different angle while crossing some monks and monkeys!
The sculptures I mentioned above, can not escape the eye since 'they are heavily present and are one of the main strengths of Angkor .
Take time to take a few hours the description on this blog, so many hours in the least to play a WII!
Examples:
order not to disgust me of the old stones and see some more "alive" in the country, I chose to spend half a day Tonle Sap, which the first banks are has 40 minutes Siem Reap in tuk-tuk.
C e lake-river which stretches from north to south is the largest fresh water reserve of the Asia southeast. Its capacity ranges from 2,700 km2 to 16,000 km2 dry period during the monsoon.
In this area home to many Vietnamese communities. Indeed, according to news collected on site, it appears that the Vietnamese can immigrate and live in Cambodia very easily, but since that 'they are the owner of any land, they are forced to live in the floating villages on the lake.
In short, these sculptures are mainly scenes from everyday life as well as transcripts of beliefs and legends, such as the legendary battles between Hindu gods and demons ...
One thing is sure, it is well nice to spend time strolling around the temples and trying to decipher these bas-reliefs, in large part still in good condition. Examples:
order not to disgust me of the old stones and see some more "alive" in the country, I chose to spend half a day Tonle Sap, which the first banks are has 40 minutes Siem Reap in tuk-tuk. C e lake-river which stretches from north to south is the largest fresh water reserve of the Asia southeast. Its capacity ranges from 2,700 km2 to 16,000 km2 dry period during the monsoon.
In this area home to many Vietnamese communities. Indeed, according to news collected on site, it appears that the Vietnamese can immigrate and live in Cambodia very easily, but since that 'they are the owner of any land, they are forced to live in the floating villages on the lake.
L a trip on Tonle Sap gives me a feeling of embarrassment since it goes back to wander boat while watching what people do at home, and the side bothers me a voyeur little.
But ultimately there is always a voyeur side has to want to witness the daily lives of others. So I tried to move beyond mere voyeurism by showing a genuine interest and respect for these families.
Along the river, one can find successively school, hospital, site repair boats volleyball court, small market. The school and the hospital every two displays a sign thanking the international aid for the construction of buildings. Children play volleyball on the shore, fishing for small fish in muddy waters or simply having fun in the water.
Families gather in the boat that serves as their home and a few men prepare piles of wood on top of their craft.
Life happens slowly, and nobody pays attention to us!
During a stop in a bar, I move the driver to my boat, a teen 15 who speaks English well, pay him a Coke. I am very embarrassed wonder if I am, then I would confirm that yes it can and can choose a drink with me. He agrees with a big smile and throws me a "you very friendly tourist . That
how to please each other with a can of Coke.
how to please each other with a can of Coke.
At the end of three days spent in Cambodia , my feeling is that while this country is 
underdeveloped (which I voluntarily in place of "developing") Cambodians displays a freshness, a freedom, I wish I could tell a love of life, but I can not go until all the now! Maybe a second visit will confirm this feeling!
One thing is for sure, I display great respect for those Cambodians who are returning from afar (See my previous article) and who now have to rebuild everything. Fortunately
underdeveloped (which I voluntarily in place of "developing") Cambodians displays a freshness, a freedom, I wish I could tell a love of life, but I can not go until all the now! Maybe a second visit will confirm this feeling! One thing is for sure, I display great respect for those Cambodians who are returning from afar (See my previous article) and who now have to rebuild everything. Fortunately
international aid is, and actions of foreign governments are conducted with brio.
For example, "Artisans d'Angkor " is an association developed in partnership with the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Its mission is to recruit and train young artists (sculptors, painters, writers, spin doctors ...) focusing on traditional craft methods Khmer who served during the construction of temples of Angkor .
The parts made by students and craftsmen are then sold in the store.
A people found his art almost lost, young people find a job and tourists leave with real memories Made in Cambodia not Made in China as is now the case everywhere.
Very nice tour of the workshops achieve. A good example of partnership and sustainable fine symbol for Cambodia.
For example, "Artisans d'Angkor " is an association developed in partnership with the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Its mission is to recruit and train young artists (sculptors, painters, writers, spin doctors ...) focusing on traditional craft methods Khmer who served during the construction of temples of Angkor .
The parts made by students and craftsmen are then sold in the store. A people found his art almost lost, young people find a job and tourists leave with real memories Made in Cambodia not Made in China as is now the case everywhere.
Very nice tour of the workshops achieve. A good example of partnership and sustainable fine symbol for Cambodia.
