It took a little doing but we managed to squeeze in a side trip to Siem Reap at the end of our trip. Angkor Wat gets all the love, but the temple complexes in this region are vast and varied.
Of course Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom are the most well-known. They've also been the best excavated and maintained, so, despite thousands of tourists each year, the incredible structures - and more impressively, stone carvings - remain.
Angkor Wat (Jessica Liles)
We approached Angkor Wat from the back side. It's a small detail, but it meant that our first views were almost completely void of other travelers - an amazing feat at such a destination. It's little touches like this that let us know our guide was truly a pro.
The detail in the stone etchings is incredible, especially after so much time has passed. They still stand out with incredibly intricate detail. Banteay Srey, with its pink sandstone, was the most impressive to me. Just imagining the simple tools these were made with is enough to boggle the mind.
Pre Rup Temple (Jessica Liles)
We also had the chance to see Ta Prohm, which is most well-known for being featured in the movie "Tomb Raider." I failed to watch the movie before the trip, but I could still appreciate the massive jungle trees growing up and around it. This particular site is notable because it is only just now really being excavated and, in some cases, rebuilt like a puzzle. There was an entire front lawn with pieces of stone laid out, each one painstakingly numbered as archaeologists attempt to rebuild the structure.
Banteay Srey (Jessica Liles)
Temple fatigue is definitely a real thing though, and by our final afternoon, we decided to bow out of our last visit to relax by the pool and get a massage. We did, after all, have a long trip home still ahead of us.
Claudia does an excellent job of communicating. HOWEVER…you paperwork requirements are constipated — a real impediment to doing business. Fire the lawyers or accountants over that.
STODDARD/MARK JAMES
8 hours ago
We have booked three trips through Adventure Life… our trip planners have been very responsive to all my questions and their quick response and attention to details has been excellent.
Sarah Dwelley
10 hours ago
This will be my second big trip with Adventure Life because they did such a good job with the first one!
Debra
1 day ago
Plans were described and booked with efficiency and speed. Adventure LIfe is outstanding in travel planning.
Laurel Hansen
2 days ago
Angie was AMAZING in helping us plan our two week, multi-generational trip (for 12 people) to Japan. She really listened to what we wanted and helped plan every detail. One of the best travel specialists I've worked with. Thank you Angie!
