Last bank holiday weekend we visited the world famous, ancient city of Angkor. Angkor -which literally means "the Great City"- was built over the years by successive Khmer emperors -or better said, by their back-bent, enslaved subjects. The main monuments date from the 12th century, and they have lost their former religious role to serve a much more mundane yet lucrative purpose: they are a true cash cow, with one-day tickets priced at 20 USD (12.50 for the locals, which is a small fortune).
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| The thousand faces of Bayon (actually, they depict the deified emperor; not Buddha itself) |
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| Hello from my window! |
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| Panoramic view of Angkor Thom |
The historic site is huge and there is a fair distance between the temples so it's necessary to rent a motorbike or hire a tuk-tuk. Different in size and importance, each temple is a true piece of art, strong but delicate, and although they might all seem pretty similar at first sight, each of them has an original beauty. I like them all, but if I had to choose maybe I'd go for Bakan (the big central pram in Angkor Wat). Its breath-taking panoramic views and the tranquillity it inspires despite the visiting crowds are just priceless. I can imagine how back in the day it was a perfect place for monks to pursue the Buddha's path.
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| Beautifully ornamented door and lintel |
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| Nature vs mankind: Ta Prohm temple has been literally eaten by the trees |
Yet the awe-inspiring temple complex is somewhat marred by buzzing Siem Riep: a modern, artificial settlement that serves as both sleeping hub and party town. Despite the noise and the drunken youth walking up and down in Pub Street, the Night Market is kind of nice and you can still get a good bargain and sample the local delicatessens. Oh, don't leave without trying the "fried" ice-cream --a Chinese-style ice-cream made right before your eyes on a freezing plank, then cut out in rolls. If you're wondering where is the "fried" part, well... that's just a fancy addition; there's no frying involved.
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| Freshly made ice-cream |
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| Snack at the bus station. I think I'll stick to grilled rat |
And... at the Night Market in Siem Riep we bumped into the Bloco Malagasy! The Bloco Malagasy is an all-female batucada band formed by beneficiaries of the Coconut Water project in Madagascar. The girls are trained in Afro-Brazilian percussion with a double purpose: as a way of safe, healthy entertainment and to build up a skill they can use in the future. The Bloco's next stop will be... Battambang! Of course, we will be there to give them the warmest welcome. Don't miss the video I posted on Facebook! (There you will find more pics from Angkor as I'm sure you're dying to see them.
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| At the Night Market with the Bloco Malagasy |
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