In Siem Reap, we would ride bicycles or take tuk-tuks to visit the Angkor temples every day. Whenever we passed by Angkor Wat, we would see locals enjoying picnics in groups. Following their example, my friends and I went to the local market. We bought some grilled meat, roasted bananas, fruits, and snacks. Then, we headed to a large grassy area to experience the casual atmosphere.
Although the aerial palace is named a "palace," it is not actually a royal palace. Instead, it was constructed alongside the royal palace and serves as the Shiva Temple. In comparison to other structures, this seemingly unassuming temple is, in fact, the predecessor of Angkor Wat, preserving elements such as Mount Meru, a central tower, gateways, and more. To get a close-up view, we must be prepared to overcome challenges!
Today, I climbed two mountains, and one of them was to visit the underwater carvings at a height of 1500 meters above sea level. These carvings are located at the source of the Siem Reap River - Kbal Spean. It takes approximately 1 hour by car from Siem Reap city center and then about 40 minutes of hiking along a mountain trail to reach there.
Cambodia, surrounded by mountains on three sides, is home to the Mekong River, which originates in Qinghai, China, and Southeast Asia's largest freshwater lake - Tonlé Sap.