Angkor Wat

There aren’t as many tourists visiting Angkor Wat as before the pandemic (our guide said about one third are back) but nevertheless we wanted to avoid too big of a crowd (and the heat!). So we booked a sunrise tour with a private guide and car to show us around. Best decision ever as we saw some huge groups later on. 

Steep stairs to make you humbly approach the top

He picked us up at 4:40 in the morning 🥱 and we headed to the entrance to get our tickets. There are 1, 3 and even 7 day tickets available as there is so much to see (if your into temple 😉) 

Looking my best at 5 in the morning 🙈

Obviously there were still lots of people around but it was okay. Added bonus of the private guide was that we could dictate the speed and depth of the visits.

We started at the huge moat surrounding Angkor and waited for the sun to rise.

Our guide insisting on taking a picture of us 😂

The huge gallery surrounding the whole complex

Tourist watering hole 😆

Everybody waiting for the sun

Devatas for which Angkor is famous for

The king riding into battle, the more important a person was the more parasols where covering it ☂️🤷‍♂️

Angkor Wat was built in the 12th century as a Hindu complex but got converted to Buddhism later on. Next was Angkor Thom, a Buddhist temple from the start on.

Daemons lining the entrance to Angkor Thom

South Gate of Angkor Thom 

Inside we visited Bayon temple, which is famous for its many towers decorated with faces.

Guide insisting again on a picture of us 😄

We then stopped at the unfinished Ta Keo temple which you are allowed to climb. The king died during its construction so it was never completed. Interesting to see how the towers where taking shape but the decorations haven’t been carved yet.

Touching the royal feet ☺️

Ta Phrom temple or Tomb Raider temple (as it was used for the movie with Angelina Jolie) was the last on our itinerary. It is overgrown with trees which makes it quite interesting. 

And that was it, we thanked our guide and were back before the midday heat was full on.