Today's review is specially dedicated to friends who love exploring ancient sites and artifacts.

These sites are valuable, ancient, beautiful, and worthy of preservation.

For this trip, we will pack our bags and travel back in time to the cultural world heritage site of Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom.

Get ready to break a sweat and test the strength of your leg muscles, but the memories you'll make will be worth it.

There's a famous saying about this place that makes you want to visit: "See Angkor Wat and Die" by Arnold Joseph Toynbee.

Our trip is a short one, just 2 days and 1 night.

• Preparation and essential items to pack

1. Physical fitness: Angkor Wat is vast, and even within each temple complex, you'll need strong legs to walk around.

To prepare for your visit to Angkor Wat, ensure you are physically fit and ready to tackle the hot weather.

2. Footwear: Opt for comfortable sneakers or walking shoes that can withstand the terrain.

3. Hat: If you forget yours, worry not! Hats are readily available for purchase within Angkor Wat at affordable prices.

4. Sunglasses: Protect your eyes from the intense sunlight. Sunglasses are a must-have.

5. Sunscreen: Be prepared for the sun's intensity. Apply sunscreen liberally and reapply throughout the day if needed.

6. Tissues/Sweat Towel: Expect to sweat profusely. Carry tissues or a sweat towel to keep yourself comfortable.

7. Face Mask: In crowded areas, a face mask can provide additional protection and comfort.

8. Drinking Water: While water is available for purchase within the complex (USD 1 per bottle), it's advisable to carry a small bottle of water for convenient hydration throughout your exploration.

9. Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom World Heritage Pass:

Tickets can be purchased at the "Official entrance booth." Upon arrival, join the queue for your photo to be taken for the ticket and proceed to make your payment.

There are 3 types of admission fees.

Here's a helpful tip: you can purchase tickets one day in advance.

Tickets for the following day go on sale after 5 pm and are available until around 7 pm.

With this ticket, you can explore the Angkor Wat complex in the evening and enjoy the sunset.

The ticket will include your photo.

Important! Always keep your ticket with you, as officials may ask to see it before entering certain areas.

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10. Money (very important!)

The main currency used in Siem Reap is USD.

If you receive change, it will be in Riel.

Thai baht can be used to buy bottled water or small items (20 baht bills).

#It is recommended to exchange your currency to USD for the best value.

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• Accommodation

We stayed at "Villa Indochine D’Angkor" this time.

We booked through Agoda for around 800 baht/room.

It was during the low season, so the price was not too high.

The accommodation was excellent. It was lush, spacious, clean, and comfortable.

The walkway from the front of the resort to the reception.

The room is surprisingly spacious, exceeding expectations.

The bed is decorated with flowers and branches arranged to spell the guest's name. It shows a thoughtful touch.

General Amenities

Note: The bathroom does not have a door, but rather a curtain that can be pulled open and closed.

The bathroom will be divided into two zones, similar to most hotels, dry/wet.

The room includes a bathtub, although its unusual shape prevented me from trying it out.

The overall cleanliness of the bathroom is satisfactory.

Directions to the dining room and reception area

Swimming pool with bar counter

Free breakfast with an English menu to choose from.

We chose a basic menu, the taste was so good that we only managed to take a picture before it was all gone.

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• Travel

We entered Cambodia through the Aranyaprathet checkpoint in Sa Kaeo Province.
For transportation within Cambodia, we used a van for the entire trip.
Therefore, I cannot offer much advice on this matter.
As one of my companions had previously worked in Cambodia, their former subordinates arranged for a van to pick us up and handle all travel arrangements.

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• Day 1 Itinerary

"Angkor National Museum"

Highly recommended: A must-visit!

This museum houses a vast collection of historically significant artifacts,

ancient and beautiful.

Ticket price: Children 6 USD, Adults 12 USD

Note 1: Photography is not allowed inside, so I could only capture the surrounding atmosphere.

The upside of the photography ban is that it allows us to absorb and appreciate the details more closely with our eyes.

Staying positive! :)

Note 2: The museum has a Duty Free section with various brand names for shopping.

However, you will need a Boarding Pass. #We missed out ( T T )

This is what the entrance ticket looks like.

Museum Entrance

Baggage storage (It is recommended to keep valuables with you).

This two-story building offers a unique参观体验. Visitors will ascend the stairs to explore the upper level first.

Surroundings

Lower pond

Next, you will encounter a room showcasing various historical artifacts, including ancient Buddha statues and lintels.

Inside, you will find detailed videos and historical information about each artifact.

(Some information is available in Thai only).

And then we go down to the next room.

The beautiful highlights are in the room below. Recommended!

Lunch break, check in to the hotel, and then move on to the next destination.

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"Converted Castle"

Built in the early 16th century (1504 AD)

During the reign of King Rajendravarman II

The Preah Khan temple is a square-shaped structure with two outer walls.

It is located to the east of Angkor Thom.

Various materials were used in its construction, including laterite, sandstone, and brick.

The purpose of its construction was for religious ceremonies.

According to local legend, the area around the castle was once used as a place to cremate the bodies of deceased kings.
After the cremation, the ashes were rearranged before being stored, a process known in Thai as "par atthi".

The main prang is built on a three-tiered brick base.

Each tier has a staircase of 12 steps, and the overall shape resembles a pyramid.

The four subsidiary prangs are located on a single base.

The rectangular base plan of the main castle's entrance suggests that it may have been used for the "แปรรูป" ceremony, a ritual associated with death, which is the origin of the castle's name.

The stairs leading to the main prang are quite steep and narrow.

This symbolizes that those who wish to enter the main prang must show respect.

They must bow their heads and eyes and ascend the stairs with caution.

The castle is in a state of disrepair,

but it still retains its beauty.

We arrived around three in the afternoon.

The sun began to shine from behind the castle.

Exquisite

One of the four satellite shrines

The staircase is adorned with sculptures of lions.

The castle is surrounded by a double wall.

A wide-angle view from above the castle

The roads leading to various tourist attractions are in average condition, neither particularly bad nor exceptionally good.

At first glance, I was like, "Wow, it's so beautiful!" It's so spacious and magnificent.

Enchanted

Even in the evening, it is still hot here. There are trees providing shade.

The crowd remained lively, with refreshments like soda and ice cream helping to beat the heat.

Roads within Angkor Thom

We came to the wrong place. The sunset is on the other side. T T

Take a stroll through the local flea market and sample a variety of beers.

** ABC is particularly bitter.

Grilled chicken, grilled bird

The atmosphere is like a "Everything 20 Baht" store.

Steamed shellfish, a common dish found in many restaurants.

The fried insects include some strange insects that I have never seen before.

Pickled fruits look delicious, but since we will continue our trip tomorrow, we need to protect ourselves from diarrhea.

The clothing and merchandise zone is similar to the Rong Kluea Market in Thailand.

Siem Reap is a haven for beer lovers, offering a wide variety of brews at affordable prices.

See you tomorrow, we have another appointment together. :)