Angkor Wat: Siem Reap, Cambodia

2012. Darrin Lee. Bangkok's "Benchamabophit", Delhi's "Lotus Temple", Gyeongju's "Bulguksa", Kyoto's "Kinkakuji", Nara's "Todai-ji", Phnom Penh's "Wat Botum Vathey", and countless more... I've seen my share of Temples. The Angkor Archaeological Park houses over one thousand temples, including "Angkor Wat" or "City Temple" in Cambodia's "khmer" language, and far exceeds all before it. Each "Wat" is exquisite and elaborately built like a gigantic sandstone labyrinth reaching above and beyond expectations. Mountain bikes are available to rent for as low as $2 U.S., 5 km away in Siem Reap. Circling the entire complex, starting about 9am from town to dusk at Angkor Lake, is evidently possible, but beginner cyclists may wish to catch a ride on a "tuk-tuk" instead or spend more than one day. Arriving before dawn to catch sunrise at Angkor Wat may seem like a once in a lifetime "enlightening" experience, the reality however more closely resembles a monstrosity of a media spectacle. You'll inevitably arrive to clusters of grumpy, panicked tourists elbowing past each other in competition for "the best shot"- spare yourself. -30-