It's remarkable, and incredible once you arrive in Seam Reap, Cambodia. The Khmer history the legacy is full on, in your face. It is the drama and excitement that makes you feel wonderful and in awe of the Khmer empire. There is no mistaking the grandeur felt. Those things your tour guide points out, the history and ruins baffle you.
It's like a dream land you've lived through in the original Tomb Raider game and movie. It's as if you're reliving your favorite moments. The same emotions surface all over again, that's the impact on you felt. You pat yourself on the back for choosing Cambodia for a holiday. Wandering around by yourself or led by your guide, you cannot help but feel amazed.
What an incredible time it must have been for this long-gone empire. The people, and their society, their technology and science, beliefs.
It's very easy to lose yourself in time. You feel those distant centuries vanish before you as soon as you encounter the ruins. Tree roots raised, covering the stonework hide the true of time from you. It's this firsthand experience you see for yourself, nature waits for no one. For a few moments you ponder this is what happens after a civilization has fallen. A shiver travels down your spine as thoughts of great sadness swell up.
But you understand this empire enjoyed great prosperity and rule. Thought to be as early as from the 9th century, lasting some 600 years.
It's a reminder how devastating the jungle can be. What once were beautiful architectural creations, their beauty lost to nature and time. All we have left are our imaginations. If the jungle were not kept in check, the roots would consume everything, even the fallen stones. And you notice how well kept and maintained the Angkor Wat Complex site is. In fairness, you may think the Ta Prohm (Tomb Raider) Temple neglected, left to ruin.
Once there in person, that puzzles you. We reckon it's because the roots of the massive Banyon trees are so intertwined with the stones. To remove any sign of the jungle would cause greater damage. The sandstone stonework has no mortar, they're loose for the most part.
It is eerie to say the least, and beautiful as you dwell on its history. The setting for the Tomb Raider films set is part of the larger Angkor Wat site. It's the perfect place for a growing civilization. The jungle gives the ideal cover and protection. The temple complex is all on one level, consisting of various buildings.
You've got to traverse the jungle as much as the crowds, so patience is a must. To protect the ruins from further decline, parts of the site are behind a cordon. That's as much as for personal safety too. Stop yourself crossing over the cordon, because the structures remaining are not safe. Individual stones are some weights and can cause serious harm if they had to fall on you.
With so much walking around, avoid bumping into the crowds, you need rest and refreshment. Dotted throughout the site are shops selling cold drinks and snacks. It's our recommendation you must try the ready to eat coconuts and pineapples. Want to avoid the crowds as much as possible? Arrive early in the morning, taking the earliest tour you can find.
A lot of the popularity of the Ta Prohm Temple arises from the famous Angelina Jolie movie. Actually, since the site got UNESCO World Heritage status, interest has grown. The Tomb Raider Temple pales in insignificance against the whole Angkor Wat Complex.
You wouldn't believe that statement, yet. As much of the tourist footfall arrives to the Ta Prohm Temple Complex, nonetheless. May it be because of the many photogenic opportunities? The jungle growing over the now ruinous temple buildings is so surreal. There can be no complete travel guide to the Tomb Raider Temple. Not whilst neglecting the more prominent Angkor Wat Complex as a whole.
The world's largest religious site for ancient, historic landmarks deserved your full attention.
This archeological site is remarkable. Leaving you breathless, are the many different temple complexes built at different times. There is no fear of you missing anything, provided you're with an all-day tour. The Khmer Empire reigned for centuries and that dumbfounds you. The Khmer Empire is up there with other long-lost and gone civilizations.
As well as the Ta Prohm Temple, there are others as amazing. Other more popular temples include:
If you decide to sightsee yourself, without a tour guide:
It is tiring on a warm day, walking around so being able to move around is paramount to enjoying the site. All the important temples and history are far apart from each other. Knowing where the temples all are is key to not losing valuable time. Booking a tour saves you backtracking on yourself and wandering around, puzzled. Unless you are ultra organized and plan with military precision, you should book a tour.
The tour guide is proficient in leading tourists around such a large complex, you lose none of your time. It's also pointless walking or cycling around without knowledge of a pre-defined route. You must know where the best spots are of historical interest. The most beautiful pieces of architecture are also vital for photography.
The guides are familiar with all those locations, they're happy to share with you. And many of the tours are all inclusive. Including picked up and dropped off at your hotel, your lunch and all passes included in the tour price. The tour guides are also local, and very knowledgeable.
Most guides do speak and understand English, and other languages such as French, Italian and so forth.
The best time to visit Seam Reap and the Angkor Wat Complex site is between November and February. Those are the months that are the coolest, with the least amount of rain. Albeit it's also the height of peak tourist season. If you want to avoid the crowds altogether and can suffer the heat, then plan your holiday for either April or May.
Thereafter, until October is Cambodia's rainy season, with the least tourist turnout.
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The temple interior captured in scenes from the Tomb Raider movie are now off limits. That's to protect the structure and roots. That's not an issue anyway. Your imagination runs riot anyway, out of control. As soon as you near any location of great importance, all kinds of emotion take over. The giant Banyon trees that tower over you, their roots deep into the stonework, amaze you all the more.
It's the true authenticity you traveled so far for, that fulfils your every dream of Cambodia.
What is a bonus for families is that the full Angkor Wat Complex site is super family friendly. Cautious sensibility in good measure of course. But most places where the public can go and look around, it's a great experience. Especially for young kids, there's an amazing family day out waiting for you.
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Hello, we are George and Elle Mae Melyre.
Over the years, amidst work and family life, we have traveled extensively throughout Asia. Any chance to briefly escape or properly holiday in our beloved Asian destinations is eagerly seized, motivated by the enduring dream of leaving behind the UK's dreary cold for tropical climes.