Angkor Wat – exploring the famous Ta Phrom temple, Kambodža

Za obisk Kambodže smo se odločili v enem popoldnevu. Na hitro, brez kakšnih posebnih priprav, razmišljanj… Obisk Sabaha zaradi varnostnih zadržkov enostavno ne bi bil več tak, kot smo si ga želeli mi in po pregledu cen letalskih kart je padla odločitev, da odpotujemo v deželo Kmerov. In ne vem, če smo kdaj odpotovali kam tako nepripravljeni, kot je bilo to v tem primeru. Nobenih priprav, načrtov, idej, kaj želimo videti, doživeti. Le povratna letalska karta in želja po novi avanturi. Siem Reap, mesto poleg Angkor Wata, je bila naša prva destinacija v Kambodži. Prašno mesto z osrednjo ulico, ki me je v marsičem spominjala na popotniško Khao San Road v Bangkoku, nam ni bilo pisano na kožo. Vsega je bilo enostavno preveč in prehod iz zelene, umirjene, neturistične Sumatre je bil očitno prevelik.  No, še huje je bilo naslednje jutro, ko smo v nepregledni gruči ljudi opazovali sonce, ki se je počasi dvigalo izza obzorja. Lepo, ni kaj. A če bi bilo možno, bi se tisti trenutek usedel na letalo in odpotoval stran. No, trma je naredila svoje in po prebrani gori člankov o tem, kdaj si ogledati določene templje, da se izogneš trumam ljudi, je postala zgodba malce drugačna. Tempelj Ta Phrom, najbolj oblegan tempelj med vsemi, smo imeli naslednji dan skoraj uro in pol samo za sebe. In občutki, ko smo bili med ruševinami v čisti tišini le sami, so bili neverjetni.

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We decided to visit Cambodia in one afternoon. Without any special preparations. The visit to Sabah was because of safety concerns just not so attractive any more and after checking the prices of airline tickets we decided to go – to travel to the land of Khmer people. No preparations, no plans, no ideas of what we want to see and to experience. Only a return ticket and a desire for a new adventure. Siem Reap, a town next to Angkor Wat, was our first destination in Cambodia. Dusty place with a central street so similar to Khao San Road in Bangkok, was not really what we usually want. There was just too much of everything and the transition from the green, tranquil, non-touristic Sumatra was just too much for us. Well, even worse was the next morning when we were in the middle of overcrowded historical site, watching the sunrise behind Angkor Wat temple. It was nice. But if there would be a chance just to sit on the plane and leave I would sign for that immediately. But we didn’t of course. We read couple of articles about how to avoid the crowds and after some talk with our tuk tuk driver, the story became completely different. Next day, we had Ta Phrom temple just for us for almost an hour and a half. At the best time of the day, with no crowds, no shouting. Just the 3 of us, exploring the mighty Ta Phrom ruins. Amazing feeling.