This morning we decided to rent bicycles to see the Seventh Wonder of the World. We each pay $2.00 to rent a bike for the day and we’re off to Angkor Wat. It is the “City of Temples,” the largest religious monument in the world spreading over 400 acres. Historically, it was originally a Hindu temple dedicated to the god Vishnu for the Khmer Empire but by the end of the 12th century, it was transformed into a Buddhist temple. It is massive, incredible, stunning and a national treasure. As the symbol of Cambodia, it is pictured on money and proudly adorns the center of the country flag. This ancient city was hidden in the jungle for over 400 years, abandoned by its people, overtaken by trees, and withstood droughts, and monsoon rains. This is just the temple to have our bicycles and time to ourselves. We explore, climb, and thoroughly enjoy ourselves with water bottles and snacks in our backpack to endure the heat and hours we were there.
I wasn’t thrilled about the decision to “ride a bike” to the temples but it wasn’t as bad as I imagined. My mega amounts of vitamin C and over-the-counter drugs helped my runny nose dry up and have a good night’s sleep so I was feeling better for this excursion. And it’s flat as a pancake. You get this cool breeze while you’re biking all to be fooled when you stop and start dripping with sweat. It’s part of the wanderlust. We’re on our way back to Ta Prohm, our favorite wat. This temple became known internationally because it was featured in a video game then movie called, Tomb Raider. We just walk, climb, sit to take it all in.
On our bike ride around the temples leads us to a balloon flight over Angkor Wat. Because it’s not sunrise or sunset, the most popular times to board, we have no problem getting onto this tethered balloon ride. It’s a little cheezie when you think it’s going on an actual free-floating ride but the view was specular. We float up 400’ to enjoy a bird’s eye view of the majestic Angkor Wat, other wats, beautiful green fields, and lush trees. There are, however, very chilling, sobering thoughts as well. Somewhere out there, just two miles away from Angkor Wat is Wat Thmey, Killing Field in Siem Reap. Most of the men, women, and children were taken from cites, “tools toward capitalism” states, Pol Pot. Out there, in a field, they were brutally assassinated and buried in mass graves.
We return our bikes to our guesthouse around 5:30 pm, rest, and shower. Our room has no air conditioning but fortunately, the ceiling fan works well enough. Dinner at an excellent restaurant, and Oh, look, cooking classes. Signed up for tomorrow!
