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Zero Chance  > Travel > Siem Reap, Cambodia
SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA - Siem Reap is a small town, nestled among rice paddy fields 4 hours drive on rocky roads north of the capital of Phnom Penh, Cambodia. It is home to the ancient Khmer Empire's great temple ruins. UNESCO has designated Angkor Wat as a World Heritage Site, but there are many other smaller complexes in the surrounding countryside that are just as significant, if not more beautiful to explore. In terms of archaeological significance, it rivals sites like the Pyramids of the Nile, Machu Pichu and the Mayan Ruins of Mexico. But unlike these other places, rampant development has not taken place and visitors are allowed to take in the unspoiled atmosphere up close. This will probably not be the case in a few more years.

Come with me and see Siem Reap through my eyes ...
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Zero Chance > Two pairs of lions guard the outer wall. Here, I used one pair as foreground interest with one of the spires rising in the background.
Zero Chance > This is the west-facing side of the exterior wall in late afternoon. How I got this picture with so few people in it was pure, blind luck.
Zero Chance > The first level has the most interesting wall carvings. Actually, the inner courtyard of the temple was quite disappointing. While it is quite large, there is little in the way of detail found in the other temples.
Zero Chance > This is the south-west temple tower. The temple complex is built around a square with a tower at each corner and a centre tower.
Zero Chance > Steep, narrow stairs rise up 20 metres to the second level of the temple complex. If you want to come down, the best way is to come down backwards with your stomach hugging the steps. At least a misstep means a painful slide down and not a head-first tumble. Keep camera inside a backpack because you will have to use both hands.
Zero Chance > Climbing down the steps is not for the faint at heart. One slight misstep or a slip could be fatal. It is obvious the authorities do not want to prevent people from climbing the steps, otherwise they would have blocked them off. But they are not encouraging it either, by providing only one set of steps with handrail. To those that were too scared, this was a good hour wait to come down these stairs with the handrail.
Zero Chance > At the top level, one can get some interesting high angle shots of monks on the lower level. Their colourful robes contrast against the stark grey walls.
Zero Chance > This friendly monk struck up a conversation with me and claims to have been to HK and asked me if I believed him. I said of course, because monks are not supposed to lie.
Zero Chance > After spending an hour in Angkor Wat, the guide took me to ride an elephant at the base of Phnom Bakheng to the top of the hill from which I could look down at Angkor Wat.
Two pairs of lions guard the outer wall. Here, I used one pair as foreground interest with one of the spires rising in the background.
> Two pairs of lions guard the outer wall. Here, I used one pair as foreground interest with one of the spires rising in the background.
Two pairs of lions guard the outer wall. Here, I used one pair as foreground interest with one of the spires rising in the background.
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