What the Duck in Siem Reap - Part Four

Heading off to the last capital city of the Khmer empire.

In awe of the guardians of Angkor Thom.

WTD can't wait to snap some pictures with his non digital SLR. Lo-fi photography is all the rage, yo.

Checking out the bas reliefs depicting ancient Khmer lifestyles, beliefs and political exchange with other contemporary civilisations.

Deciphering the hidden message.

WTD is truly grateful that these stone structures survived all these years, and that the government allows tourists to access most of the areas.

The great temple of Bayon with its famed 4-faced Buddhas.

At Ta Prohm, where trees have managed to grow from within and over the ruins over time. The tree roots are engulfing the temple like some giant octopus' tentacles .

Back to the main temple. Reliefs of the Hindu-Buddhist devata goddesses of Angkor.

Remembering a scene from Wong Kar Wai's In the Mood  for Love

At the upper gallery of Angkor Wat's main temple. Pity the top level is closed.

Ending off the tour of the Angkor Wat complex at Phnom Bakheng Temple. 

Waiting for the sunset.

Back to the hotel..

And now for some drinks..

Breakfast

Randomly walking around the Old Market

WTD was about to get a heatstroke. He retreated to a cafe for some drinks.

Cooling down at The Blue Pumpkin

Back at the hotel again after a relaxing spa treatment!

He would consider outdoor bathing, but he didn't feel too comfortable with the fact that some residential units overlook the back-garden. (he forgot he was nude anyway)

Away from the mozzies!

Leaving this resilient country. Home sweet home!

What the Duck in Siem Reap - Part Three

 After the trip to the lake, WTD was hoping to get a taste of Amok fish and other local fares. He decided to have his dinner at Viroth Restaurant.

Nice ambience and friendly staff.

Food was great and cheap, but he wished there was sufficient lighting to know what he was eating!

Back at the hotel. For once, WTD felt perhaps his limbs were indeed too short.

He would have stayed in the tent overnight if not for the vicious mosquitoes.

Next morning. WTD woke up early to watch the sunrise over the main Angkor Wat complex (facing west), but it was too cloudy for picture taking..

He was really glad that this structure survived intact over years of colonial rule, war and Khmer Rouge reign in this stricken nation.

First good glimpse of the iconic Angkor Wat central structure.

Exchanging a few pointers with fellow photographers taking pictures of the reflected image of the complex on the lotus pond.

Big wat, small what.

Obligatory tourist shot

Taking in the sights

What the Duck in Siem Reap - Part Two

Continuing from >>What the Duck in Siem Reap - Part One

 

But first, WTD found a watering hole to combat the intense heat. Khmer Kitchen

And draft beer is going at around USD $0.50 to $1 per glass here in Siem Reap. What more could a duck ask for.

Passing by lotus fields on the way to Tonle Sap, the largest freshwater lake in the region.

On the boat to catch a glimpse of the water dwellings. Squatter housing on the shallow banks of Tonle Sap. This city duck didn't know what to expect, seeing the sediments/construction work/packed tourist ferries along the inlet kinda dampened his hopes about this little excursion.

A glimpse of the water dwellings on the main lake, which is home to a sizable ethnic Vietnamese/Cambodian population. WTD suddenly felt very at home.

A slice of modernity with some ingenuity. Life seemed tough here but the residents are a resourceful lot.

WTD's plush camera lenses are met with much suspicion

View of Tonle Sap lake and the Cambodian flag

On the way back to the jetty, WTD witnessed some local boys bathing/frolicking (?) with their duck. "That's not how my kind should be treated!" he yelled, pouting. But the Cambodian duck seemed to be pretty much enjoying the treatment in the heat.

A thoughtful WTD after the trip to the lake. (to be continued...)