This iconic, sprawling temple complex is as vast as it is beautiful. It is surround by a murky moat, placing the temple in the center. As you walk the bridge over the water, you simply forget about the gift stores, food stands, and tuk tuks encroaching. You can feel yourself suddenly immersed within the temple walls, hearing the echoes of monkey calls.
Inside the temple, the walls are dull but if they could speak, the stories would be lively. Each corner has a different statue where monks continue to pay tribute. They can be seen wandering through with saffron colored robes. Please respect them and their practices and leave them be. Some people are seen crowding around them, as if they are animals in a zoo.
In one of the center rooms, I had the opportunity to kneel before one monk and be blessed by him. It was a surreal experience, one that I am grateful to be able to have done in the Angkor Wat Temple.
A tip when traveling to these temples is plan accordingly. Time and travel are two big factors. It is suggested to hire a tuk tuk driver for the day and go when the crowds have passed; typically after 12pm and before sunset. At sunset, Angkor Wat gets crowded with a surplus of people. Be respectful of the temples; you must cover your shoulders and knees in order to get in. The main reason is that monks still practice and pray at them daily.
I went in the middle of May at a sweltering 108°F. Bring plenty of water and a camera! It was one of the most amazing things I have witnessed!
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