Unbound Expeditions : Paro's travel experience to Cambodia

#By Parvathi, Birchwood


 

 I believe traveling is a unique life experience as it is the best way to unplug the pulls and pushes of daily life. Me along with my bunch of friends travel every year to some place and call it as our ‘Mom’cation, Mumma’s vacation. A year of planning goes into selecting the destination and executing the vacation. This year we all chose to go to a city called Siam Reap which is located in North-Western Cambodia. It was a 4-day trip to Siam Reap with 8 women onboard and the fun was endless. We boarded our flight to Siam Reap and we arrived there at midday.

We didn’t plan anything on that day and relaxed at the hotel. Our guide had planned a sunrise tour to Angkor complex which turned out to be an extremely wonderful experience for all of us. We were all picked up around 5 am in a fascinating little tuktuk and reached the spot by 5.30 am. Trust me, Sunrise is well worth the effort. It was a magical experience seeing the first rays of sun, up the temple even though the place was flooded with other tourists. The reflecting pool in front of the main temple is the most beautiful sight. Angkor Wat complex consists of several temples and structures that were built over 1000 years ago.  

The intricate carvings, architecture and the history of the temples are simply breathtaking and ,

a must see for anyone interested in culture and history.

 

Apart from Angkor Wat, Siem Reap has several other temples such as Bayon,
Ta Prohm and Banteay Srei, each one has its own unique charm and history.

Next day we went to see Kulen waterfall, river of 1000 Lingas and reclining Bhuddha.

Kulen waterfall is located about 50 kms northeast of Siem Reap and is part of the Kulen mountain range considered a sacred sight by many Cambodians.

The sight of 1000 Lingas in the holy Siem Reap River is a unique and fascinating destinations that is believed to have been created during the Khmer empire ,

in the 11th and 12th century that offers visitors a glimpse into the rich cultural and religious history of Cambodia.
Siem Reap is also known for the vibrant night markets where you can find souvenirs, local crafts,and delicious Cambodian street food.

You can also visit the old market where you can find fresh produce,

spices, and other local goods. Pub street is fun and lively to walk around in the night and absolutely safe for women travelers.

Local people are a very friendly and welcoming bunch. We were charmed by their warmth and hospitality. They speak Khmer language and have rich cultural heritage and their history is reflected in their language, religion, customs, and tradition. With its stunning natural beauty, unique carvings and sacred significance Siem Reap is a must visit destination in Cambodia for anyone who loves nature and history.

 




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