Comments on: Angkor Wat, Cambodia: robbed of its rightful place as one of the 7 wonders?

By: Andy Jarosz

Andy Jarosz — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 14:32:59 +0000

Yna, we chose to go without a guide, and just had a driver. We accepted that we missed out on a lot of extra information that a guide would have provided but we balanced that with our own short attention spans,particularly in the heat, and our happiness at moving at our own pace.
Catherine, yes it is easily accessible. I was surprised just how short the flight to BKK was. There are so many great places to visit within an hour’s flight of BKK.
Dave and Deb, you would not recognise it these days I reckon, particularly Siem Reap itself. It is still possible to enjoy the temples without crowds but the windows of quiet time will keep getting smaller.

By: Catherine Wentworth

Catherine Wentworth — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 10:31:51 +0000

Siem Reap is indeed a fabulous wonder! I prefer going there over the Pyramids in Egypt even. At only an hour away from BKK, it is a perfect trip if you only have a short time to spare. Fly to Siem Reap Friday night, visit the wats Sat/Sunday, fly back to BKK early Monday morning. Perfect.

By: Yna

Yna — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 02:06:51 +0000

Ta Phrom is just breathtaking, next to Angkor Wat in my fav list. Thanks for sharing these nice insights. Did you do the tour on your own or you had a guide?

By: Dave and Deb

Dave and Deb — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 12:21:30 +0000

We enjoyed Angkor Wat. I can’t imagine what the crowds are like now as we were there in 2004. The package tourists were just starting to arrive. It was busy then and we spent our day one step ahead of the pack. I have heard that it is insane now. But that still could never detract from its beauty.

By: Andy Jarosz

Andy Jarosz — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 11:32:55 +0000

Thanks Nomadic Chick, Fida, Akila for stopping by and your comments. As the others will agree, you’ll have a great time there Akila. Look forward to reading about it. Just take your time, get up early, and be prepared for lots of kids selling stuff at the entrance to every temple. But it’s a unique place, and I suspect almost every first-time visitor underestimates the sheer size of the complex; we certainly did.

By: Akila

Akila — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 03:37:58 +0000

Beautiful! We are heading to Angkor Wat in a month and a half and can’t wait. I have never been able to figure out how the “wonders” people figure out which sites are worth making the list and which aren’t. I have no idea why the Leaning Tower of Pisa regularly makes the 7 Wonders list because it honestly isn’t that amazing.

By: Fida

Fida — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 22:56:58 +0000

I absolutely agree with you. They belong to the 7 wonders. All of Angkor Watt is stunning. I loved the faces of the Bayon, but like you, Ta Promh fascinated me. I couldn’t stop making black and white photos – now framed up on a wall;) and reminding me every day of that wonderful time. I was there exactly 12 years ago and spent a whole week exploring Angkor and the surrounding areas of Seam Reap.

By: Nomadic Chick

Nomadic Chick — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 19:07:07 +0000

Your photos bring me back there as well. I woefully missed the waterfall of Kbal Spean though. The structures not only impressed me, but I pictured daily life during the kingdom’s heyday. Imagine the relationship one would have to foster with the jungle? The jungle was ‘bigger’ than the structures in my mind. Thanks for the memories!

By: Andy Jarosz

Andy Jarosz — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 18:47:20 +0000

Thanks Dawson, and have a great time in India. It’s an amazing place which I’m sure will leave you breathless, amazed, frustrated, contented, saddened, and all in the space of a day. Will look forward to reading of your adventures.
Cheers
Andy

By: Dawson Russell

Dawson Russell — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 17:48:43 +0000

Andy,
Great to “meet” you. I look forward to following your blog and tweets. I have only traveled a few places so far – Hawaii, Virgin Gorda, Canada, Mexico and Belize but look forward to traveling through Asia very soon. I am leaving for India on Monday for a six week journey and was glad to read your comment about the Taj Mahal. Hopefully one day soon I can experience Angkor Wat.
Thanks,
Dawson