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Day 1

Khaosan Road, Talat Yot, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok, Thailand

Arrived late at night into Bangkok and took a taxi to Khaosan Road to meet my buddy. Walked the street and even though it was past midnight and there was a lot going on, definite party scene. Favorite part was seeing the baby elephant just walking down the road. Pretty nice first impression of Bangkok.

Day 2

Wat Pho, Sanam Chai Road, Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok, Thailand
The Grand Palace, Na Phra Lan Road, Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok, Thailand
Wat Arun Ratchavararam, Thanon Wang Doem, Wat Arun, Bangkok Yai, Bangkok, Thailand

Next day slept in a bit and went to Wat Pho. That’s the temple with the huge Buddha, hard to take pictures too because the only place you can go is right in front of it. Went to the Grand Palace and took pictures of the outside, but didn’t go in because of time constraints. Went up Wat Arun, which is one of my favorite structures in the world. I think the colors, statues, symmetry and setting by the river make for a beautiful setting. Steps are steep though to climb up.

Day 3

Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, សង្កាត់បឹងកេងកង៣ ខណ្ឌចំការមន, Saint 113, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Royal Palace - Palais royal, Samdach Sothearos Boulevard (3), Phnom Penh, Cambodia
National Museum of Cambodia, Preah Ang Eng St. (13), Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Took an early flight to Phnom Penh and went to Tuol Sleng. This is a former school turned prison that details the Cambodian genocide.

Next went to the National Palace and National Museum. The National Palace is clean and a beautiful area, great for photos and worth making a stop to see the Silver Pagoda. Phnom Penh is very poor and could be tough for some people to see.

Day 4

Choeung Ek Genocidal Center, ផ្លូវជើងឯក, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Bakheng, Angkor Archaeological Park, Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia

The prison was a tough place to visit, but the Choeung Ek killing fields were even more so. Not much to say, that and Tuol Sleng are sad places but it is their history and I’m glad we went to both.

Hired a car to take us to Siem Reap (5 hour ride), went to see Bakheng Temple when we got there. Got our first glimpse of Angkor Wat from the top, and got very excited for the next few days.

Day 5

Preah Khan Temple, Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia
Ta Prohm, Angkor Archaeological Park, Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia
Banteay Kdei, Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia
Bakong, Cambodia
Preah Ko, Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia

Bought a 3-day pass for the temples and on day one I was on my own because my friend lost his camera and wasn’t up for exploring. I hired a tuk tuk driver to take me from temple to temple. Ta Prohm, Preah Khan, and Banteay Kdei were the highlights.

Day 6

Angkor Wat, Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia
Angkor Thom, Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia
Bayon Temple, Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia
Tep Pranam, Angkor, Cambodia
Ta Keo, Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia
Pre Rup, Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia
Baphuon, Angkor Archaelogical Park, Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia

Both of us hired another driver for the day and went to Angkor Wat for sunrise. Lots of people there for first light, and then we explored the grounds. It’s incredible. You could spend an entire day there, as it is the largest religious monument in the world.

We then went to as many other temples as we could in one day. Angkor Wat, the entrance to Angkor Thom and Bayon are all absolute must-sees. Bayon is the one with many faces and tons of towers.

Day 7

Preah Khan Temple, Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia
Ta Prohm, Angkor Archaeological Park, Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia
Neak Pean, Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia
East Mebon, Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia
Ta Som, Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia

Last day in Siem Reap, we did some of the temples I went to previously but they’re so amazing that I didn’t mind going back at all. Preah Khan shouldn’t be missed, and Ta Prohm is pretty famous because part of Tomb Raider was filmed there. There are huge trees with roots growing all over and through what’s left of the temple – definitely go to this one, too.

Day 8

Bangkok, Thailand

We hired a car to take us back to Bangkok (had to switch drivers at the border). Took around 5-6 hours, got to our hostel and just had dinner. I had a very early flight out the next morning and flew back.

When people ask me where my favorite place I’ve ever been, I have to give a few answers but I always say the thing/place that has most blown my mind are the temples in Cambodia. More so than even Petra and Machu Picchu, I am just entirely in awe of this place. The level of detail in the reliefs are pretty much unfathomable when you consider the size of temples, and the fact that they’re still standing is as well. Nature and Khmer Rouge have done a lot to bring them down, but they still remain. Trying to imagine what life was like when they were in use is really neat and it really feels like you’re in another world. I think my favorite temple is Bayon, but Angkor Wat and Ta Prohm are right up there. They’re all close to each other and I think the 3-day pass is perfect. I didn’t get bored or think “well every temple looks the same.” I’m not sure that the order of them is important, but definitely leave at least a half-day to explore Angkor Wat. Angkor Thom is even larger, but there are several temples within. It’s very easy to hire a driver for the day (tuk-tuk), and we had the same one all 3 days. Shared meals with him and got to know him a bit, and really enjoyed that experience. Phnom Penh is very different from Siem Reap, but I think it’s important to go there to understand what the Cambodians have been through. I thought Bangkok was just okay, I really liked Wat Arun but there was a lot of traffic and it seemed like a very busy place (especially compared to Cambodia).

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