The temple ruins of Siem Reap rise from the jungles of Cambodia like a gift from the past — a gift for all the wide-eyed visitors, but also for the local people. For a country that has seen three decades of war, genocide and poverty, the wonders of Angkor bestow strong cultural pride and a new economy of tourism.
People from all over the world travel to see these massive ancient ruins that were erected more than 1,000 years ago. Angkor Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, covers more than 300 square miles. It was the epicenter of the Khmer Empire, which ruled from the 9th to the 15th centuries. It is a marvel of architectural and cultural accomplishment that features temples, water reservoirs, canals, terraces and amazing artworks. The majestic conical towers, hefty sandstone blocks, and spacious courtyards are countered by intricate carvings, venerated statues, and intimate spaces for prayer and reflection.
The temples are stunning and awe-inspiring. Walking among them takes you to another time and place that you try to imagine, but cannot comprehend. The perfect alignment of monstrous stone blocks, the countless number of detailed carvings, the multi-level terraces — it is mind-boggling that these feats of engineering could have been accomplished without modern-day equipment.
There are so many temples that we didn’t even try to see them all. But the ones we did see were amazing and remarkable in their own ways. The Bayon Temple at Angkor Thom is distinguished by the immense faces that adorn the four-sided towers. Banteay Srei is a smaller temple, but has the most detailed and well-preserved carvings that depict traditional Hindu stories. Ta Prohm, featured in the Lara Croft Tomb Raider movie, is unique in that the jungle continues to envelop the crumbling structures. Spindly, elongated trees have grown to cover and adhere to the temple walls like hardened candle wax. It is beautiful and eerie at the same time.
Angkor Wat alone covers about 500 acres of land. The outer walls of the temple are completely covered from top to bottom with bas-relief carvings of Vishnu stories; battle scenes and soldiers; trees and elephants; heaven and hell. The towers rise above the fortress like guards standing at attention. When you stand inside one and look up, you can see the sandstone blocks stacked and tapered gradually inward to create the pointed shape. It is a wonder they haven’t collapsed.
A present from the past — seeing the temples of Cambodia should be on everyone's wish list.
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
2 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
3 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.