november 2011

I went to Cambodia knowing that Angkor Wat is one of the most iconic temples in the world and it eventually became one of my favorite places. I recommend seeing it for the first time at sunrise. We went to the temple complex an hour before the sun was due, headlamps and all. Of course, we weren't the only ones who did this, as many people make the pre-sunrise trek to the temple. But even with all the crowds, there's something magical about walking past these hulking stone structures in complete darkness and then having them all revealed to you, slowly, by the rising sun. Then, when all the tour groups leave to have their assigned breakfasts, the temple can be all yours to explore. And that's one of the amazing things about Angkor Wat- there are so many nooks and crannies in all the temples, you can still find peace and wonder. I love ancient temples and buildings where they let you run free and explore. So that's what I did.