Hello everyone!
The year is just starting and I have taken a look on the calendar to see the holidays. The good news is that there are several long holidays. We are able to schedule a lot of travels this year. Do you enjoy exotic destinations? I am in love with Asia. I have gone various times and I confess that Cambodia was a wonderful surprise and a great passion. So, I am going to share with you what the “enchanted kingdom” has to offer.
This country which today is relatively small (smaller than the state of Paraná, Brazil), has been the greatest political center of southeast Asia. Its territory was huge and included a part of Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar and Malaysia. This lasted almost six centuries and Angkor temple, the most amazing of Siem Reap City, served as the capital for a long time. At that time, an incredible amount of temples and palaces made of stones were constructed within a very small radius. There are over a hundred temples, it’s crazy! However, like everything in life happens in cycles, this powerful kingdom went into decline and was abandoned. Luckily, mother nature took take care of everything. The forest grew and hid the kingdom for four centuries until the arrival of a group of French explorers. They found the treasures left by the Khmer Empire, being Angkor Wat and Angkor Thon the largest complexes.
A visit to Cambodia deserves at least four days. In the streets, the tuk-tuk is the main means of transport. They carry tourists from temple to temple, where buddhist monks call attention in orange clothing. The epicenter of the temples is the humble town of Siem Reap. There are two circuits to visit the temples. The two begin in Angkor Wat which is the main postal card of Cambodia. The Short Circuit is 18 kilometers and can be done in a day. It includes the complex Ta Prohm and Banteay Kdei. The Long circuit is 27 kilometers and takes at least two days so that you can see the temples of Preah Neak Pean, Ta Som, Pre Rup, and the temples of the short circuit. Take into consideration that it is very hot, therefore it is ideal to leave early, stop at lunch time to recharge your energies in a good hotel and leave again in the middle of the afternoon. The months of higher temperatures are november, december and january.
Look to stay near the center of Old French Quarter where there are good restaurants, lively nightlife and delicious massages around the Pub Street. I recommend the spectacular AMANSARA – a super exclusive and very well located oasis. The hotel has only 24 suites, with private swimming pools. The rooms have clean decor and super consistent with the mood of the country, but very luxurious. In addition, each guest has his tuk-tuk with driver to go where you want, anytime. A very friendly service.
I can only thank Angelina Jolie who made me curious enough to go to Cambodia, where many scenes from Tomb Raider were shot in the Ta Prohm temple.
Did you enjoy this week’s destination? Leave your comments below with destination suggestions that you prefer. I would love to talk about it! I hope to see everyone on my Instagram @blogviajarpelomundo
XoXo and until next week!
