Exploring the Mysteries of Angkor Wat: A Journey Through Ancient Ruins and Vibrant Night Market

After seeing Tomb Raider, I've always wanted to see Angkor Wat, so I decided to visit this ancient site after getting some needed time off. I didn't sleep enough on my first day there but wanted to see this temple when the sun rose. The best time to take pictures is during sunrise and sunset. So, I forced myself to get up at 4:30 a.m. to meet my personal driver at 5:00—a great decision because I could take some impressive shots.

Once I got there, there were tour guides you could hire for $25 a day. There are also unlicensed guides there that you can pay for, but they may need to be better. I was interested mainly in getting photography shots, so I told my guide to take me to all the best spots where professional photographers get their pictures taken. I was only going to give him $10 for 3 hours of work, but then he told me some sob story about how he has to split the cost of the police in Angkor Wat. I fell for it because I ended up giving him $20. Sucker! Now, if you want to visit Angkor Wat and are staying for a week, You should get a three-day pass, and you can visit all the temples in the area. If you have less than a week, visit 3 of the major temples. My suggested itinerary is Angkor Wat, Central Angkor Thom, Bayon, Terrace of the Elephants, The Leper King Terrace, and Ta Prohm.

I saw all of them in one day. If you want to see the other temples, be sure to get the three-day pass. You can see Preah Kahn, Victory Gate, Thommanon, Ta Som, and Pre Rup and ride the elephants to the mountain.

 Just be sure to wear something that will cover your shoulders, and wear long shorts. They won't allow you to go up the temple on the mountain if you are wearing something that shows too much skin. I wonder why since the ancient linga religion worshiped the phallic symbol. Regarding shuttle tours, my hotel arranged them, and I paid them $15 for the whole day. My tuk-tuk driver drove me around everywhere, and that was worth it. You can purchase professional shuttle tours, including picking up and dropping off from your hotel, English-speaking guides, bottled water, cold towels, meals, and temple passes for $15. I didn't know this and wished I had read the local guidebook first. Now, regarding what to bring, wear something appropriate for the tropical environment. It can get intensely hot, so wear something light and airy. You must wear sensible shoes, sunglasses, and a hat for serious temple explorers like myself.

 The steps have uneven surfaces, and the sun can sometimes block your view. 

After a full day of exploring, In the evening, I decided to go to Angkor Night Market to get a foot scrub, pedicure, haircut, and shoulder massage. It was worth it and very cheap! Seriously, $5 for a pedicure and a 1-hour foot scrub? I was impressed. They did a great job and even gave me a complimentary libation. I also went shopping here, and bought a few yoga pants and t-shirts for $2 each! Some of my favorite shops here include Rouge Music. A place where you can download full CDs for $1 to your iPod, and a Papaya Boutique store. Some areas in the market are gritty, but some are clean. Be aware! There are puddles of dirty water, so don't wear sandals.

My Tuk-Tuk driver dropped me off, and he waited for me until I finished eating and shopping. Tuk-tuk drivers are big business here in Siem Reap. They hound you at every turn for the opportunity to drive you anywhere so you'll always be

safe. It is a good idea to decide the fare with your tuk-tuk driver before heading off to prevent misunderstanding at the end of the ride. Small bills ($1) are good for tipping,

so bring lots.