Thoughts on Ankor Wat

Angkor Wat is very touristy and crowded so be prepared. This caught me off guard as we were visiting during early shoulder season. Siem Reap has lots of markets and I was excited by that prospect when I first arrived. But the hawking is aggressive and tiring. I ended up avoiding markets and dreading having to walk past one. But Siem Reap has lots of museums and the Phare seems to have good reviews.

Nagas

Everyone wants to be your tuk tuk driver but they don't really like you to hire a guide. If I were to do it over again, I would hire an Angkor Wat cultural guide first, then see about a driver who would accommodate us as a group. I definitely felt as if I was missing out a lot on the significance and meanings behing the artwork without a guide explaining. Even though we had the Ancient Angkor book with us with lots of good info, it was hard to carry the book while taking photos, while opening the book up to try to read the dense info, all while standing in the heat.

Carving detail at Banteay Srei

Everyone hits up Angkor Wat first thing in the morning and last thing in the afternoon to get that iconic shot of the temple at sunrise/sunset. It was too rainy and cloudy with no colorful sunrises or sunsets while we were there so we did not try to fight the crowds on this one. Not sure it'd be worth fighting all the crowds. So I would hit up Ta Prohm first thing in the AM and see Angkor Wat in the heat of early afternoon, like 1PM. It'll be hot but much less crowded. See if your driver will take you out to Banteay Srei for late afternoon, which may mean that you'll be getting back into town after dark. Next day visit Bayon first thing in the AM, then meander the rest of Angkor Thom as the day wears on. Hit the larger circuit temples to the north in the afternoon. If you want to make the long drive out to Beng Mealea, do it first thing the next morning. I felt bad making the tuk tuk driver motor all the way out to Beng Mealea but Mat really enjoyed the fresh air ride and the driver said multiple times it wasn't a problem.

Carving detail at Angkor Wat

When first planning the stay, I was wondering about getting a car driver instead of a tuk tuk as the car advertised air conditioning. This is not necessary as the wind blowing on you while riding the tuk tuk always cooled us off sufficiently.

Mat walking along the ancient walls of Ta Prohm

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