The enchanted KINGDOM OF CAMBODIA

Timid, the first rays of sunshine tried to overcome a thin layer of clouds that hovered over what a day was the capital of the powerful Khmer Empire. A crowd at the lakeside, in deep silence, gave him worship that sublime moment, as that in trance. Patients. Curious. Glances into raptures waiting for the light of day to invade the great temple of Angkor, in the center of Siem Reap, in Cambodia, to discover a little bit of its secrets.

A glorious past and bloody

The Kingdom of Cambodia was the greatest political and religious center of Southeast Asia during six centuries, from 802 to 1432. Its vast territory encompassed part of Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, Laos and Ia to Malaysia. But, its history is rather dysfunctional. Nothing peaceful. Bloody wars have profoundly marked these lands an

d left the people suffered.

The ninth century was the beginning of everything when King Jayavarman II declared himself " Chakravartin ," the King of the World . And the Khmer Empire flourished. Nothing simple , the boy. But he really had a lot of strength and opened the door to an era of domination that left an incredible historical legacy into an empire ruled by a succession of kings. 

The Angkor foundations that time comes . When the king who worshiped Shiva built a temple in mountain - pyramidal shape to represent Mount Meru , the sacred abode of the Hindu gods . His successor has increased a little empire. Until the king Yasovarman I, who reigned 889-910 , transferred the capital of Roluos to Angkor . So a huge amount of stone temples and palaces were built in a very small radius . The legacy is astounding. There are more than 100 temples. A side by side . It's maddening. Amazing. And the two largest are complex Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom

But everything in this life is cyclical . Angkor declined and was eventually forgotten. The temples were abandoned and the forest took over. This was a tremendous stroke of luck . It helped to preserve this treasure . Four centuries later, French explorers found Angkor protected by nature. The ancient Khmer Empire began to be restored until the conflicts of the twentieth century strongly shook the region

The Vietnam War - which began in 1954 - has hit Cambodia. 

The Vietnamese were using the territory of Cambodia as passing zone and the United States attacked with bombs. This led to the Khmer Rouge, the Communist Party of Kampuchea which terrorized Cambodia from 1975 to 1979. The group's flag was a free society of capitalists and foreign influences. The party ordered a radical agrarian reform supported by torture and mass executions. They were responsible for one of the most shocking and bloody regimes in the world. They took Phnom Penh in 1975 and left the country devastated by a genocide considered the worst in history, with more than 2 million dead.

The Khmer Rouge was driven out by the Vietnamese, but continued resisting with small groups of guerrillas until 1990 when a peace agreement was signed. In 1998, he died the political leader Pol Pot refuge in a distant village.

It is a very recent history. Landmines continue to cause accidents even after all the cleaning of the territory. The wounds are healing slowly, after years of suffering. The country begins to envision peace with the new political reality. Despite the still apparent poverty, Cambodians have turned to smile. And tourism right now is a powerful ally that employs 75% of the population of Siem Reap.

And , oddly enough , in Siem Reap agglomeration of tourists not enough to bother . It is touching to see a country that has been abandoned to their own devices to find a noble and simple way to get up . Its glorious past. Today , they share with the world this spectacular legacy left by the ancestors and he was asleep like a fairy tale , under the jungle for so many years of war . 

 HOW TO GET IN SIEM REAP Siem Reap is the main point from which to explore the temples of the ancient Khmer Empire. It is in northwestern Cambodia. Despite being the most famous city , it is not the political capital but Phnom Penh. But we can say that Siem Reap is the cultural capital of the country.

The planes descend in the friendly Siem Reap International Airport . Vietnam Airlines used to arrive in the country ( from Ho Chi Ming ) and Air Asia to exit ( going to Phuket) . Also gives to fly to Siem Reap Airways , China Southern Airlines , Jetstar , Bangkok Airways , Malasya Airlines, Lao Airlines and others. TIP: Some of these flights are very cheap , around $ 40 or less. Buy Executive passing that still come cheap and you get several perks as VIP room , early boarding , differentiated onboard service and landing in exclusive vans. The low-cost usually charge for luggage. Have common sense and traveling through Asia with only a small volume. The constant heat in this part of the world helps reduce luggage.

The tuk tuks are everywhere in Siem Reap, Cambodia.

LIFE IN SIEM REAP

Siem Reap has a simple knack village. The city exploded as the destination of dreams of people around the world who like to exotic places , from different cultures and who have difficulty in facing grueling heat. The sad thing is to see every moment the stark poverty. It is a journey that stirs the emotions . Awakening moments of reflection . The heart travels from the enchantment of sadness in a second . 

With the large influx of tourists , the city has been developing rapidly and offers both cheap hostels to luxury hotels . This chaotic mixing gist of it is exactly what gives the special touch. Earth people coming and going selling their products ; gaping tourists transiting tuk tuk down and upwards ; and a wave of monks in orange robes. A feast for the eyes and for the soul. The people who were already Hindu today is 95 % formed by Buddhists.

The ideal in terms of hosting is to stay close to the centrinho of Siem Reap . It is called Old French Quarter. The architecture in this region keeps memories of French domination times and night boils . The pace is hectic . The Pub Street is the point of reference to locate. In the streets around there are many restaurants , night markets and spas with all kinds of massage , including one made in the feet by hungry fish .

A day well spent in Siem Reap works like this: early , before the sun punish it's time to move the temples ; near noon , the time when the heat is exhausting it is time to take a break to enjoy the hotel; in the late afternoon new temples ; and at night , as no one is iron , it have a massage in centrinho , taking a walk by the markets and then dinner in the Pub Street.

Street smoothies are everywhere in Siem Reap 

On snake or spider On snake or spider ?

Then , indicate a good hotel to serve as oasis and close to everything, the Amansara . He has a super quiet atmosphere and wonderful decor . Are only 24 suites , each with its own private pool . The rooms are large and combined with a gorgeous bathroom that opens onto the pool . The breakfast is very good. On days when you opt out early to know the temples , coffee can be served after the first visit in an old Cambodian house restored by the hotel at the lakeside . Amazing. Guests also have included another meal that can be lunch or dinner. To choose . The hotel restaurant is excellent and offers both international cuisine and typical of the country. Each guest has a driver with a tuk tuk to go anywhere you want , anytime of the day. Very friendly service and just would not say perfect because they are still learning how to receive tourists . But do everything to please. Recommend!

HARD LIFE IN POST-WAR COUNTRY

 Leaving a few kilometers from the tourist circuit , the reality is still very shocking. The country has a population of 15 million inhabitants spread over an area of 180 square kilometers. The Cambodia bordering Laos , Thailand and Vietnam . Half of Cambodia 's population is very poor and earns the equivalent of 100 reais a month for their livelihood. All this misery is the result of years of an insane war.

They live mainly from fishing and farming villages in very simple . The doors of the houses usually always stay open to receive those who come . They are sympathetic and smiling . The rooms do not have partitions . Only walls in the bathroom. All sleep together and the couple's bed usually have curtains for privacy . During the day , people sit on the floor , even older . The food is still done in stoves and is delicious. On the basis of fish, vegetables and rice .

TICKET TO VISIT THE TEMPLES

The Angkor park occupies a very large area . It is 400 square kilometers. It takes time if you want to know the nearly 100 temples who live there . I stayed 3 days in the city and it was very little. I left wanting to stay longer . He was not ready to leave. It would have been easy for 5 days ( or even more) . The entrance ticket , which is called the pass must be purchased exactly as how long you plan to stay in the city .

•  for one day: $ 20
•  for 3 days $ 40 7 days 
•  for $ 60 . 

The passes are personal and not transferable . Are made only in one of the complex entries in a well- organized booth that starts up at dawn , at 5:00 hours - as the sunrise at the temples is mandatory program - and closes at 18:00 pm.

The queues are usually great at dawn, it is necessary to take a picture on the spot and make the payment. But before long . If the pass purchase is made after 17:00 hours , yet it can be used until 18:00 hours and takes effect from the following day. Good choice for those who want to stay only one day and so will have another very end of afternoon to enjoy some temple .

Go tuk tuk for the temples of Cambodia. It's unique and fun .

Theoretically to cycle through the temples there are two circuits that were created during the period when the French were in Cambodia and are still used today . Both start at Angkor Wat. The short circuit is 18 kilometers, it can be done in a day and covers the central complex of ruins as Ta Prohm and Banteay Kdei . Already, the long circuit has 27 kilometers and takes at least two days to complete . It includes short circuit a few temples such as Preah external Neak Pean , Ta Som and Pre Rup . However , it all depends on your interests, pace of travel and time available .

CARD - POSTAL CAMBODIA , ANGKOR WAT 

Have you ever watched the flag of Cambodia ? She has three horizontal stripes. The top and bottom are blue. The center is red and brings in the center of the design input Angkor Wat. Their sacred towers are the ultimate symbol of the country , the temple is regarded as the most religious in the world work . Since 1982 is considered World Heritage

Angkor Wat temple view Phonom Bakheng .

Angkor Wat means "the city that is a temple." The temple was built to Vishnu , the Hindu god protector of creation. The project is based on a Hindu mandala. In the center are the five large towers . To enter the complex you need to go through a big gap . Inside, the walls that far just seem stones reveal thousands of celestial dancers slots ( apsaras calls) , warriors and animals. Interestingly, the typical dances of the country are based on body positions of these slots and reproduce the stories written on the walls of temples.

The Central Sanctuary is the highest and most sacred . Houses several statues of Buddha. To enter you need to cover your shoulders and legs . The access staircase is very steep and dangerous. If you want to get ahead of the crowd and make the sanctuary just for you just pay a few dollars for the security guards on duty . They release the entrance and to follow to show the altars .

The MYSTERIOUS TA Phrom Ta Phrom is an ancient Buddhist monastery which today looks like a haunted castle. The forest took care of what was left by man. The gigantic roots of the fig trees are like hands holding firm the last stones. The trees have as many as over 300 years . It is amazing and scary.

This scenario was used by Angelina Jolie to record Tomb Raider movie scenes in the shoes of Lara Croft. The ruins has been carefully restored and trees are part of the scenery. They will not be removed. At its peak , the complex came to be kept for 80 thousand employees including 600 dancers and 18 priests .

The AWESOME ANGKOR THOM Angkor Thom means " Big City " . It was the largest city of the Khmer Empire . We came to have 1 million inhabitants . The complex is protected by 10 km of walls 8 meters high. Five gates for entry . Within Angkor Thom has several ruins and the most intriguing is Bayon with their enigmatic faces.

Stone faces the Bayon temple lurk the history of Cambodia for more than 500 years. Are 54 towers with almost two hundred faces serene faces and all different.

The WEE Baksei TEMPLE Chamkrong Another interesting stop , right at the Bayon output at South Gate, is the small temple Baksei Chamkrong . This is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva. Its staircase is very steep and dangerous. Few people circulating around. It is one of the best known. Worth a brief visit while waiting to go up to the temple Phnom Bakheng elephant to see the sunset.

The BANTEAY TEMPLE KDEI The name of this temple means " Citadel of Cells of the monks ." It was used until 1960 by Buddhist monks and is very poorly maintained . Twelfth-century date. It consists of two galleries where born towers and a cloister.

SUNSET at Phnom Bakheng Later in the day , the program is watching the sunset at Phnom Bakheng . That was the official temple of the first Khmer capital and date from the ninth century . Five towers emerge majestic a kind of pyramid that sits atop the hill. The path is steep . Many people choose to climb the ride an elephant.

Also in Angkor Thom has several other interesting temples : Baphuon ( one of the most important of the complex) , Phimeanakas ( palace - temple of X century) , the small shrines Preah Palilay and Tep Pranam , the Terrace of the Leper King , the Elephant Terrace , Khleang and others. You can not know everything . It must select few. 

MOST VISITED Temples 

• Angkor Wat ( people love to watch the sunrise in front of the temple)
•  Angkor Tom (where is Bayon with stone faces and several other temples ) 
• Ta Prohm ( known for the film Tomb Raider with Angelina Jolie) 
• Banteay Srei 
• Roluos ( Lolei , Preah Ko , Bakong )
•  Phnom Bakheng (indicated to see the sunset ) 
• Prasat Kravan 
• Preah Khan ( functioned as a monastery and religious school ) 
• Preah Neak PEAM

BEYOND THE SIEM REAP Temples Only the ruins of the Khmer Empire are already worth the trip. But there are other possibilities that did not have time to explore the country. Floating villages of Tonle Sap Lake where several families live in floating villages . The best known is Chong Kneas . The lake is the largest in Southeast Asia and is 40 minutes from Siem Reap . The capital Phnom Penh is 400 kilometers from Siem Reap . The colonial city of Kompot the era of French colonization . Sihanoukville beach with calm, clear waters. Koh Rong Archipelago and still a virgin.

IMPORTANT CARE Use very comfortable shoes and do not heat up too feet . You will walk a lot , climb many stairs and the heat is damned . Women must cover shoulders and legs in some locations. So go light clothing and has a large scarf that can be tied to quit when needed. Take sunglasses , hat and sunscreen. Avoid eating uncooked vegetables and legumes . Take only bottled mineral water. Try not to move away from areas marked by the risk of landmines. When you can find a monk shooting it, but if you are female do not touch it . Not praise the Vietnam neighbor to Cambodians . They still have many locks of the past. Do not use the Vietnamese hat Nón là in Cambodia. I was warned by police that he could not wear the hat . It's forbidden.