I See Through my LeNs: Siem Reap, Cambodia

Siem Reap (Khmer: ក្រុងសៀមរាប, pronounced [siəm riəp]; Thai: เสียมราฐ) is the capital city of Siem Reap Province in northwestern Cambodia, and a popular resort town as the gateway to Angkor region. The name Siem Reap translates literally to the 'Defeat of Siam'—today’s Thailand—and refers to the centuries-old conflict between the Siamese and Khmer peoples. Under the rule of the Ayutthaya Kingdom in the 18th century, it was referred to as Nakhom Siam.

( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siem_Reap)

For ASEAN passport holders, they do not need a tourist visa. For other nationalities like Americans, we need to have a visa which we can get either at the Siem Reap Airport, or we can apply online. Though I could have applied online, I am kinda adamant of doing it because I am not confident of their website.

Upon arrival, the line builds up for visa. It requires a photo...but it is ok to have none, just pay an extra $2 on top of the visa fee. For me--I have my photo...I don't know where they put it. My visa is pasted on my passport.

photo credit: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=1184987

Unpacking our stuffs at the hotel...

Feeling rich..with all these zeroes.don't be fooled..this is equivalent to US 50cents...
oh..they also accept US dollars and Thai Baht

I am with my travel buddy--Sistah, together with Fr. Jun and Fr. Seb...awesome company..

The place we dine....the famous PUB STREET..

It is lined end to end with restaurants, pubs and shops.
making it the tourist center of town, especially after dark.

Oh no..we did not...just giving you an idea...

Things get going on Pub Street around 5:00pm as people return to town from the temples.

German couple take our photo...together with his wife

Night Market...which actually is also open during the day..that's business.
It offers various selection of souvenirs and curios (other odd interesting stuffs).

ALWAYS, ALWAYS..haggle...slash it at least up to 40-50% from their original price..

It won't hurt if you leave them without buying..

PART 1

Angkor Wat (Khmer: អង្គរវត្ត or "Capital Temple") was first a Hindu, later a Buddhist, temple complex in Cambodia and the largest religious monument in the world. The temple was built by the Khmer King Suryavarman II in the early 12th century in Yaśodharapura (Khmer: យសោធរបុរៈ, present-day Angkor), the capital of the Khmer Empire, as his state temple and eventual mausoleum. Breaking from the Shaiva tradition of previous kings, Angkor Wat was instead dedicated to Vishnu. As the best-preserved temple at the site, it is the only one to have remained a significant religious center since its foundation. The temple is at the top of the high classical style of Khmer architecture. It has become a symbol of Cambodia, appearing on its national flag, and it is the country's prime attraction for visitors. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angkor_Wat)

Now..let me show you what we see inside these temples...
Forgive me...I just put all the pics together...they may be in different places,
I just could not remember the names. Needless to say, they are fantastic.