Cambodia: Siem Reap - Srah Srang and Smiling Buddha at Angkor Thom

Sunrise in Siem Reap is famous, there are few places to see the sunrise in Angkor areas, we choose Srah Srang, the royal bath.

The reason of choosing Srah Srang because is still partially flooded, and i hope to see the reflection of the sunrise. 

But too bad, the weather was really bad, we woke up as early as 430am but we didn't got a nice shoot. 

To go Srah Srang for sunrise:

* by tuk tuk (you can ask your tuk tuk driver, but they will usually charge another USD 5)
* Srah Srang is part of the Angkor, so you don't need to pay extra entrance fees. 

* of course you can ride a bike or bicycle, but bare in mind, rides in early morning can be dangerous. 

* last but not least, DO NOT GIVE MONEY TO THE CHILDREN, this is encouraging them to quit from school in their early age.

Srah Srang is out of Angkor but not too far away. 

about 6am at this time, still dark.

Not too much people waiting for the sunrise though. 

About 7am. No sunrise =(

The platform for photo shooting. And that is about 730am, last shoot before we headed back to hotel, really bad weather. 

We went back to the hotel after the day bright watch (yea because no sunrise), take a rest and had breakfast before we went out to the Angkor Thom, aka big circle.

To recap, people called Angkor Wat as small circle, Angkor Thom as big circle, usually people will make this 2 Angkors in a day tour.

For us, we only used about half day each for Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom, not because there are boring, but we're not really familiar and not into the history, we didn't go every single temples in the small circle and big circle.

Of course, if you're a fans of this old town, you can spend up to a week here.

But if you're not a fans, my suggestion plan will be: 
1. Half day in Angkor Wat (another half day for sunset watching or chill in town)
2. Half day in Angkor Thom (another half day for sunset watching or chill in town)
3. One day in remote temples

For detail, please click me to the previous post.

So we went to Angkor Thom in the same day of sunrise watching.

The focus of us is the smiling buddha, of course there are a lot more temples in Angkor Thom that worth to see, but for us the smiling buddha is the main reason to make us in Siem Reap.

The entrance of Angkor Thom

The entrance and we can see 2 smiling buddha here. 

sculpture of the guardian God 

Another highlight of Angkor Thom is the wall carving. 

The carving is telling the story of the old day, this has showed how people fish in the old day

And this is Chinese who came and do business here. 

Our guide did great job. He explained and answered every single questions that i asked.

We saw some part of the temple is ready to restore. 

Here come the smiling buddha, John always want to take this picture.

My turn.

Terrace on the top of stupa.

We both felt peace in this stupa. =)

Other then smiling buddha, there are some awesome wall carving too.

John and I, this is the 3rd country that we have been together. =)  

We went to Ta Prohm after smiling buddha, where Angelina Jolie was in the movie of Tomb Raider, and that will be in next post, too much photos.

I will update another post shortly, so make sure you to come back quick k?

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

20130127, 0933pm

Rach in a bit upset mood.