We went 4 days with a 3-day site-pass, and for us that was more than enough. We supplemented the 3-days pass with one day of zip-lining activity which provided a nice break for the kids in between temple viewing. We used the 3-day pass by having 1 full day of temple viewing (the first) with a guide but filled the other two days with the morning of temple viewing on our own (i.e. without a guide) and the afternoon of swimming in / lounging at the pool of the hotel.
Overall that combination worked best for us. I was able to finish "Becoming" by Michelle Obama - which I highly recommend by the way. A women's read in my opinion though.
We visited the following temples:
1. Angkor Wat (Day 1)
2. South Gate Angkor Tom (Day 1)
3. Bayon (Day 1)
4. Ta Prohm (Day 1)
5. Preah Khan (Day 2)
6. Neak Pean (Day 2)
7. Ta Som (Day 2)
8. Pre Roup (Day 2)
9. Prasat Kravan (Day 2)
10. Baphion & Elephant Terrace (Day 3)
1. Angkor Wat
This is clearly the most popular and most visited and largest temple in the park. A lot of visitors only have a one day pass and then this is THE place to visit (perhaps together with the Lara Croft one :-) ). So it was VERY busy. This, combined with the fact that is was very hot, requires you to be in the right mindset when visiting. We were relaxed and knew we would have time so were able to float through. I did see some stressed out and overheated families though.. Despite all this, It is a very impressive sight these temples. I felt awe at the fact this is so old, but so sophisticated and wondered a lot how all of this could have been "lost" to human memory for so long. No longer in this connected age …
2. South Gate Angkor Tom
Angkor Tom is the "people city" in the park. The place where all the people actually lived. All other temples were really only for the gods, and not for people. The South gate is one of the entrances to Angkor Tom and spans the river. It is decorated with warriors and looks quite impressive. It is the most visited entrance, which is kind of funny because there is also a North one, equally beautiful, but somehow it is not on the main tourist route. During the Khmer Rouge most heads were severed by the military, but some have been restored since.
3. Bayon - Temple of the faces
Bayon lies within Angkor Tom and is also known as the temple of the faces. I was not really able to take a good picture but basically every "turret" is a 4 faces, facing each direction. It looks quite impressive. Also a busy temple and by this time Mees and Lina needed some encouragement... So there was a good mobile phone distraction.
4. Ta Prohm - Temple of Doom!
The last temple of Day 1. Who did not love Lara Croft! Our first strong female warrior :-). This is where she hung out. The trees overgrowing the temples definitely give it a mystical and somewhat melancholic flavour.
After that, it was time for a well-deserved jump in the pool and some dinner in town. We decided that we could view these temples on our own so we did not feel pressured by a guide who's English was not good anyway. We had a map after all, and could hire a tuk-tuk at the hotel. Excited for the next day!
