TRAVELMAN in CAMBODIA: Sunrise at Angkor Wat and Tidbit Tips for Your Trip

I actually have real advice about your next weekend getaway to Angkor Wat Cambodia! That’s right, Travelman has real, non-sardonic, non-sarcastic, non-ironic, non-funny, non-entertaining, tidbit tips!

First, here’s a real fact: Angkor Wat is the largest religious site on the planet, second only to Disney World.

...Okay, I may have made up the second part in honor of making a joke for my parents.

Without furhter ado! TRAVELMAN’S TIDBIT TIPS EDITION ONE!

Tidbit Tip NO. 1

Just be yourself at Angkor Wat. Nobody likes posers, even at temples. Leave the posing to the statues.

(Okay, I’m sorry. That wasn’t a genuine tip, but old habits die hard. Those responsible for that facetious tip have been sacked.)

Really, in all seriousness (well, based in seriousness with comic relief)here you go...

TRAVELMAN’S TIDBIT TIP # 1

Consider staying outside the moat of Angkor Wat for sunrise picture taking.

Angkor Wat is surrounded by a 200 meter wide, 4 meter deep moat. Once you cross the moat, go inside the gates, and approach the three towers, you’ll see two ponds, one on each side of the walkway to the towers. This is where a crowd of tourists gather at sunrise and fight for position to get the best photo to post on their instagram. 

I do not like crowds, I‘d rather go to the dentist (unless the dentist office is crowded). So if you don’t like crowds either, consider taking your sunrise photos from the moat. Your pictures will be slightly different than the thousands of other sunrise photos snapped every single morning yet still spectacular. Outside the moat, you will have plenty of space to choose your perfect shot to be published in the next issue of Smartphone Vacation Pictures Monthly. I spoke to people who did this and saw their pics. They were smarter than I on that morning.

—An hour after sunrise outside the moat. Try to go on a partly cloudy day and you’ll get pictures more colorful than mine. Damn clear day, lessening my shots, bah!—

TRAVELMAN’S TIDBIT TIP #2

Consider a sunset rather than a sunrise tour.

All I heard from everyone was that you have to go at sunrise, “It’s the best time to go!”

I disagree. I don’t know if you’re aware of this but sunrise is early in the morning. In order to get to Angkor Wat before sunrise one must get out of bed at the ungodly hour of 4 AM. This is not easy, especially when on vacation. It can really create some Dour Dougs and Sour Sallys. Then, Doug and Sally have to join a throng of other Dougs and Sallys who stick their selfie stick into the air ruining your chance at a shot when they‘re already in the front of the damn crowd! Okay, I just may have been a Dour Doug.

The colors are different at sunset, yet still spectacular and you fight less crowds.  So go at sunset and later that night look at other people’s sunrise pics. You can show them your sunset pics while mentioning how you were able to sleep in after having stayed out having fun the previous night, then watch their reaction.  They’ll love you for it! -Then ask for a copy of their sunrise photo and tell everyone at home you took it.

Another traveler told me he did the sunrise, but had the tuk tuk driver take him to the other temples first, that way he still got sunrise shots, albeit at other temples, and avoided crowds.

TRAVELMAN’S TIDBIT TIP #3

Spend at least twenty minutes reading up on Angkor Wat before going.

 —Bas-relief at Bayon Temple of Angkor Thom—

This may seem obvious, but many people, including myself don’t do this. The only thing I knew was that one of the temples we’d be visiting was used as a set piece in the movie Tomb Raider. All I wanted to know were the logistics of cost, when, and where. I just didn’t care to know more. But I should’ve cared enough to spend at least twenty-minutes going to a couple websites about the history.

I read up on the area after I went. I would have enjoyed my visit more if I knew about the bas-reliefs at the temple gates and that the temple is built to represent the Hindu universe, with the temples at the center representing Mount Meru, home of the gods in Hindu mythology (It also helps to know the definition of a bas-relief.)

 —Ta Prohm Temple, Tomb Raider Temple dedicated to the Hindu god Angelina Jolie—

 I also learned what gopuras and apsaras are. I’m not telling. Google it. Knowing these things can also make you look smart (or pretentious) to other people in your tuk tuk.

I saw people with guides. I eaves dropped a bit. I didn’t think the guide was worth it. Beyond trying to understand them through their accent, it didn’t seem to enrich the visit all that much. Like I said, just save some dough and read up on it before you go. Inject money into their economy in other ways, like accepting one of the thousand tuk tuk rides you will be offered.

TRAVELMAN’S TIDBIT TIP #4

Unless you’re REALLY into temples and Ankgorian history, one day is enough.

—Bayon Temple—

A one day pass is $37. I also paid $6 dollars to have the hostel arrange a shared tuk tuk. I forget the cost of a three-day pass because, for me, any amount is too much. I would not have returned the next day if my one day pass was magically turned into a two day. The other two people in the tuk tuk and I were ready to leave after the third temple at 11:00 AM.

 

—Inside Angkor Wat. An ancient jacuzzi (I assume).—

If you love this kind of stuff, then by all means, get the three day, explore the lesser temples, look at all the stories of the mythical battles carved into the bas-reliefs, determine which rooms were the libraries and which were built to house the gods. But if you’re like me and many others who are going because it’s another great place to visit while in S.E. Asia, one day is plenty. Wander around in amazement and wonder, become curious to know more, and enjoy your day.

 

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