For some reason, when Emily & I were temple-hopping in Siem Reap a few weeks ago, we decided to try to experience experience at Angkor Wat.

Foolhardy, yes. Touristy, check. I can’t even remember why we even attempted it.

Sunrise at Angkor is a mainstay for the intrepid Temple tourist; which means that literally thousands of people show up to experience it. This fact removes nearly all awe, reverence, mystery, and quiet from Angkor, (which is quite an accomplishment). The crowds are formidable, with old rich German tourists rubbing shoulders with busloads of Chinese tourists, all jostling for a good spot to catch the reflection of Angkor in the lotus pool at dawn.

I’m allergic to tourists. So we sneaked away from the milling thousands and took our own pictures, sans the famous lotus pond. Let them have it.

We found a kind old man on a bicycle in a quiet corner of the temple, and bought some freshly baked coconut-filled buns from him for 50 cents. Later, we tried to eat breakfast at some nearby stalls near the lotus pond, and regretted the foul pork’n’rice and watery iced coffee. I guess you pay for the view, not for quality food.

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Tags: Angkor Wat, Asia, cambodia, kamboja, Kampuchea, Photography, Travel Photography