Bucket List: Solitude at Angkor Archeological Park

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Cambodia, Siem Reap, Solitude at Angkor Archeological Park

This article was previously published in this blog in May 2022. Written as an article in my series of Post-Trip Recollections Series, this trip was for me in every way a bucket list travel item in a very unique way. Why? Because it was my first time taking an airplane in almost 3 years. Mid-2022 was the period when worldwide travel restrictions imposed to combat the COVID-19 pandemic was slowly being lifted.

I also wanted to use this chance to re-visit the Angkor Archeological Park. Usually crowded with tourists pre-pandemic, I thought then that it was my chance to re-visit Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom, without the crowds. Having more time to study the historical archeological artefacts at my own leisure would be an amazing experience.  And I was right. Compared with my previous visit to these same sites, this visit allowed me much time to slowly walked through the sites, read about their histories and marvelled at the architectural wonders that had withstood the test of time.  

Surely, the experience of solitude at this renowned UNESCO World Heritage Site qualify to be listed in my personal Bucket List.

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And so I just returned home yesterday from a trip to Siem Reap. This trip was my first flight in 30 months and second overseas trip in just as many months. The 30-month travel hiatus was because of international border restrictions that began in March 2020 because of the COVID pandemic.

During the trip, I visited Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom. This being my second visit to Siem Reap, I limited my archeological sites' visits to just these 2 places, spending more time to study and appreciate the splendour of both sites.

Photo collage of my visit to Angkor Thom, Angkor Archeological Park, Siem Reap, Cambodia (2022)

In-between, I also had time during the trip to walk around the city of Siem Reap to explore the many back lanes during which I discovered many beautiful and quaint cafes where delicious food and aromatic coffees were served by friendly staff. Indulging in my serendipitous walking tours without maps and fixed plans allowed me to enjoy whatever that came by way.

Photo collage of my trip, Siem Reap, Cambodia (2022)

Photo collage of one of my cafe stops, Siem Reap, Cambodia (2022)

In summary, this was a good and enjoyable trip; a much welcome return to my wanderlusts and overseas  travels. With all those walking over 5 days, I also returned home with a huge blister on one of the toes on my right foot. But it was all worth it, the blister a proudly-worn badge that showed me that I had been there and walked those streets in distant lands once again! 😀

Photo collage of my visit to Angkor Wat, Angkor Archeological Park, Siem Reap, Cambodia (2022)


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