Spring Break Siem Reap

Since we were all the way in Southeast Asia, we decided to take a quick trip to Cambodia. Because... Cambodia!! I've always wanted to see Angkor Wat, so this was the perfect opportunity for a few days exploring the temples.

We started in Siem Reap and were taken to our hotel on the outskirts of the city. It's not very big, but we had to take tuk-tuks to get around town. First impression? HOT, so I'm glad we hired a guide to take us around the temples rather than try to go in tuk tuks.

 
The next morning we were met by our private guide, Nol. He was friendly and helpful, though he didn't know very much about the Hindu history and Anil had to give him a few lessons on what we saw. We started at the Angkor complex, where we had to buy our passes. Then, we finally made it to Angkor Wat - the largest religious monument in the world.

Angkor Wat was built in the early 12th century as a Hindu temple for the Khmer Empire, but later switched to a Buddhist temple. There are extensive bas-relief carvings all over, depicting various scenes from Hindu epics.

Standing at the center of Angkor Wat - standing at the center of the universe

 
We also visited several other temples in the Angkor complex.

Banteay Kdei - the "Citadel of Monks' Cells"

Ta Prohm - Tomb Raider Temple - 
originally a Buddhist monastery and university

Ta Nei - a late 12th century temple dedicated to Buddha

  

One of the most interesting temples is Bayon, known as the Happy Face Temple. It was built in the late 12th c as the state temple and center of Jayavarman VII's capital. It's famous for over 200 stone faces on 49 towers (37 still survive).





The next morning, we got up early to see Angkor Wat at dawn. It was nice to get there before the sun rose since it was cooler, though many others had the same idea... This meant we could see a few more temples before it got too hot.

Banteay Srei

Preah Khan

That evening we wandered through the Night Market.
  





On our last day, we visited the floating village of Chong Kneas on Tonle Sap Lake before heading back to Singapore.

The homes along the riverbank

Villagers

Fishing

Overall, it was a great trip... Thanks, Ev!!

Spring Break Singapore

Evelyn's in Singapore, so Anil and I had to go for a visit!
Outside Ev's house on campus at National University Singapore is a reflexology path. Rocks line the path, and if you walk barefoot down it, toxins are flushed out of your body. The more it hurts, the more toxins you have...

and it hurt like heck!!

Lunch at the hawker stands

Nature prevails

We decided to spend the day in Pulau Ubin, a small island on Singapore's eastern coast. It's considered the last kampung village and is definitely on the more rural side.

On the bumboat to Pulau Ubin

We rented bikes and explored the island

The boardwalk through the mangrove swamp

We then headed to the botanical gardens

Cannonball Tree

 

The next day, we explored Singapore.

Even though the city is incredibly green, there are gardens everywhere!

Sri Mariamman Temple

Buddha Tooth Relic Temple

Street snacks

Chili Crab

Mmmmm... snow ice...

We had to go the Raffles Hotel...

Trying a Singapore Sling

Little India

From the top of the Marina Bay Sands

Gardens by the Bay

Nice views!