Siem Reap, Cambodia II

DAY 2: Bayon Temple, Hot air balloon ride, Silk Farm 

The Bayon is the most impressive temple I have seen in Angkor Thom city and  is really one of the most spectacular ruins of Angkor because of its splendor gigantic smiling faces looking at different directions. I find it quite an art.

Question: How many multitude of serene and massive stone faces on the many towers do you see? Though the faces are not really visible in this picture, there are over 200 massive stone faces looking in all direction.

Since my mom didn’t think that going inside the temple was a good idea, we decided to have the elephant ride instead! And yes, the elephant ride around the Bayon is an interesting and meaningful way to explore the faces on the towers and see its huge scale from outside.

 

To be honest, I felt bad riding on the elephant. I think we were too heavy for an 89 year old elephant to carry us. Haha.

Stopped by in a mini temple where an elderly offers a coconut to feed the elephant.

Posing with the Bayon Temple. Don’t you think how amazing the ancient people were? They were able to construct all this amazing temples in Cambodia. Cool to the 100th level!

NEXT STOP: 1st Hot Air Balloon Experience!

A close up picture of the Beautiful Angkor Wat!

Btw, I made a video on our 1st Hot Air Balloon experience. You can watch it on youtube. Click on this link to watch the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1mbOntqEu4&list=UUSkUGN40xO-S9Flu_Lumang

SILK FARM, THE LEGEND REVEALED MUSEUM, STONE CARVING FACTORY

Visiting Silk Factories became a dull activity for us. From different countries that we visited; There never was a country that didn’t have silk factories and there never was a trip where we weren’t able to visit a silk factory. So, having to hear our tour guide mention the silk farm tour, without ado, we were about to cancel the tour. But really, I didn’t have the idea why my mom changed her mind.

Good thing this silk farm tour was different compared to our previous silk factory tour. Hahaha! We were able to visit the silk farm where they catch the silk worms, showed us the place were they store live baby worms, cocoons (alive and dead) and how they make silk.

Baby worms 

Eggs

 

Cocoons

Dead cocoons. (They kill silk worms by putting it in a boiling water)

 

 

LEGEND REVEALED MUSEUM

Since we have nothing else to do we decided to have another round of city tour and decided to visit the park and its neighboring shops.

Got a little bit hyper after eating a delicious lunch!

Planning to buy souvenirs? Haggle! Choosing over meals in small eateries? Haggle! Hiring a Tuktuk ride? Haggle!

Really. If there’s a country where you need to learn how to haggle, Cambodia is the place to be. Almost every product sold or service offered, you can haggle to get a cheaper price. It’s as if this trait of negotiating was developed due to the many tourists who flock the area. I couldn’t believe at times when I got a good deal for items I bought at the Angkor Night Markets. I didn’t even have to force the sellers that much. My technique is to walk away if you don’t agree with the prices. And Viola! They’ll give in to your request.

DAY 3: VISITING THE MALL & GOODBYE CAMBODIA

We didn’t actually have a tour on our last day so we decided to take a rest and just make time pass by going to the mall and buy stuff like souvenirs, clothes, etc.

 

 

 

Dinner before going back to the Philippines!

Even though we had enough time in Siem Reap, we were sad to go. The people were genuine and they wanted the people all around the world to visit their country with very rich culture. I can see now why people fall in love with Cambodia.

Click here to read Siem Reap, Cambodia Part I