The day finally came – the day I got to check off yet another destination from my childhood dream list: Angkor Wat! A childhood dream turned reality! 🤩
And to say I was excited would be the understatement of the century. This was the place I had been looking forward to the most on my entire trip. The fact that I was now in Cambodia, about to wander around Angkor Wat, marvel at its incredible architecture, and soak in the ancient atmosphere felt completely surreal. But here I was 😍
Of course, before getting to this point, I had to make some decisions. Sunrise or sunset? 🤔 Which would give me the best experience with the least amount of tourists breathing down my neck? Would I have enough time and energy to truly explore the place at my own pace? A billion questions. And one thing was clear: NO group tours for me. The idea of rushing through an ancient wonder on someone else’s schedule? No, thank you 😅 That was definitely not what I had traveled halfway across the world for 🤣😅
So, after some serious research, I booked a private “guided” tuktuk to the Angkor Archaeological Park. No large groups, no one else’s timeline, just me setting my own pace. And let me tell you, the tuktuks here? Completely different from the ones in India, Sri Lanka, or Thailand. These are more like a wagon attached to a scooter, which means more space to stretch out. Bonus!
I booked my sunrise tuktuk tour through GYG, with a 4:30 AM pickup – yes, that early. But honestly? I was so excited that I didn’t even care. Besides, I was so exhausted the night before that I actually managed to sleep well and wake up refreshed. Small victories.
The wonderful staff at my hotel had even packed me a breakfast, complete with drinks. A lifesaver, because now I had one less thing to worry about. Love that level of hospitality.
And so, at 4:30 AM sharp, my tuktuk driver, Mr. Chout, was ready to go. Off we went into the dawn, heading towards Angkor Archaeological Park. Now, you’d think driving alone in a foreign country, in the dark, might feel a little sketchy. But surprisingly, I wasn’t nervous at all. In fact, it was kind of amazing – the cool dawn air was refreshing, the kind of crispness that makes you wake up instantly, almost better than coffee. It was like a natural alarm clock, except instead of a blaring sound, it came with a peaceful, exhilarating breeze. While enjoying thee breeze I was wondering what the first glimpse of Angkor Wat would look like 😌
Upon arrival at Angkor Wat, I handed over my pre-booked entry ticket (which I wisely bought in advance through the official website), and Chout gave me some pro tips on where to stand for the best sunrise view. Since tuktuk drivers aren’t allowed inside, he explained the route, what to look out for, and sent me on my way. Solid advice 😃
And so, I walked into the dark, following a crowd of tourists who all had the same mission. We crossed the Rainbow Bridge, passed the Northern and Southern Library, and reached the lake in front of the Southern Library – the ultimate sunrise spot, according to Chout. And he was absolutely right.
There I stood, smiling like an absolute idiot, because this was a dream coming true. I had imagined this moment since I was 10 years old. And now it was happening. Unreal.
At 5:38 AM, the first faint light appeared. The sky was still deep blue, but hints of orange started peeking through. Time felt endless. The colors gradually intensified, and I was lost in the moment. Was I dreaming? Was this real life? 🤩
At around 6:25 AM, the guards opened the gate, allowing us to enter Angkor Wat itself. And let me tell you – it was even more breathtaking in person.
A little history lesson for you:
Angkor Wat was originally built in the 12th century by King Suryavarman II, a Khmer ruler who wasn’t here to play games. Unlike his predecessors, who built temples dedicated to Shiva, Suryavarman II went all in for Vishnu – a bold move at the time. The entire structure is a symbol of Mount Meru, the mythical home of the gods. Fun fact? The entire temple is aligned with the sun. So, the sunrise over Angkor Wat? Not a coincidence. A literal divine masterpiece.
Walking through those halls, touching the ancient walls, and standing in a place where Suryavarman II himself once walked? Absolutely wild. I felt the same excitement I had when I visited Thanjai Periya Kovil – that deep awe of stepping into history itself. And a fun fact is, that Suryavarman II had connections to the tamil Kulothunga Cholan, and eventually presented Kulothungan a precious stone.
Modern satellite imagery has revealed that Angkor was the largest pre-industrial urban center in history, covering an area even greater than present-day New York City.
Bayon Temple & Tonle Om Gate
After exploring Angkor Wat, I met up with Chout at 8 AM, had my hotel-packed breakfast, and off we went to the next stop: Bayon Temple – the last temple built in Angkor.
But first, we passed through Tonle Om Gate, one of the five entrances to Angkor Thom. This gate is famous for its massive carved faces looking down at you with an eerie yet majestic expression. Kind of like the ancient Khmer version of saying, “Welcome to our kingdom, but behave yourself.”
Bayon Temple itself? Insane. Built by King Jayavarman VII in the late 12th century, Bayon is best known for its mystical stone faces – over 200 of them! Some say they resemble the king himself, others believe they represent Avalokiteshvara, the bodhisattva of compassion.
Either way, it’s an architectural masterpiece with intricate carvings and hidden corridors that make you feel like you’re walking through a secret labyrinth.
Ta Prohm – Nature vs. Time
Next stop? Ta Prohm, also known as the Tomb Raider temple (yes, Lara Croft/Angelina Jolie fans, this is the one).
Unlike other Angkor temples, Ta Prohm has been left mostly as it was found – massive trees growing through its ruins, roots swallowing entire structures, making it look like nature and time had a battle, and nature won. Some people think it should be restored, but honestly? I think the trees give it soul. It’s a reminder that even the grandest empires eventually surrender to nature.
After taking a million photos, I was officially exhausted and content. I had seen what I came to see. And now time for a fresh coconut 🥥
A Chill Evening in Siem Reap
We drove back to my hotel, where I had lunch, then wandered into town for some light shopping – mainly on a mission to find a rudraksha malai. And mission accomplished!
While strolling through Siem Reap, I found myself accidentally (or maybe destined?) wandering down the famous Pub Street – and let me tell you, it was a whole different world.
If you’ve ever imagined a Cambodian version of Khao San Road, this is it. Neon lights flashing, thumping music spilling out of bars, vendors trying to lure in tourists with “50-cent beers!” and the occasional call of “massage, madam?” echoing through the night. It was wild. Chaotic. Hilarious. And so not like the rest of Siem Reap.
By day, Siem Reap is peaceful, filled with ancient temples, monks in saffron robes, and quiet riverside cafés. But Pub Street? That’s Siem Reap after chugging ten espressos and deciding to go full party mode.
It’s packed with everything you don’t expect after a day of temple-hopping – loud clubs, open-air bars, and even street performers breathing fire (yes, really). There’s also a place where you can eat deep-fried tarantulas 😵💫 – but I was not about to go that far 😅 (of course)
I took my time just soaking in the madness, smiling at how surreal the contrast was. One moment, I was tracing the footsteps of Suryavarman II at Angkor Wat, feeling like an explorer of lost kingdoms, and now? Dodging drunk backpackers dancing to Pitbull. The duality of travel, I suppose.
After my little detour into party land, I escaped back into the calmer streets, found my rudraksha malai, and wrapped up the night on a much more chill note.
For dinner, I couldn’t resist another Tamil meal, so I went to Vanakkam India and had some idli with a refreshing lemon-mint juice. So. Good.
To end the night, I relaxed with a pot of chamomile tea at Sky Bar, where a live artist was performing. I even got to chat with the singer, Jae Ann – turns out, she’s originally from the Philippines, lived in Shanghai, and now sings in Siem Reap while raising her little child. Small world!
And then, it was time to pack up – because the next day? Bangkok awaited! ✈️
What a day. What a trip. What a childhood dream fulfilled. Grateful. 😊