Siem Reap - Angkor Wat Sunrise

I got up at 4am and was outside the Angkor Wat entrance at 5am. In hindsight I was a bit too early. I had so long to wait until sunrise and I really would have liked to do the walk in with more daylight as I think it would have had beautiful views as you walk across the moat. I have learned what I could do differently next time. I think the entrance of Angkor Wat is definately worth visiting during daylight hours.

I spent time outside taking videos in the dark which I have posted to my instagram and TikTok accounts, if you would like to view them … featheredescapades.

Most other people were walking up the steps at the entrance so after waiting about an hour outside I decided to do the same thing. It was still quite dark and I stumbled a bit with the different floor levels in the old stone buildings.

When I had gone through the main entrance building the view above was before me with the Angkor Wat temple in the distance. I really did not know what I was doing going there for the first time … I will know more next time.

I can see some colour coming up behind the temple. I walked around much of the site looking at it from different angles. I had plenty of time as nothing was happening fast.

There were many photographers waiting for the famous Angkor Wat reflection photograph. Maybe I will try for that next time. To be honest I did not know about this when I went there but have since seen photographs and have put it on my bucket list. I just wondered why so many people with fancy looking cameras were waiting by the water … I should have read the situation better.

The sunrise was not spectacular as I thought it might be. Oh well more reason to try again.

I took the next photo looking back across the lawn from the temple. You can see the reflection pond and the walkway.

There were many vistas to look into and out from inside … lots of mysterious views. Sorry to bombard you with photos but really I have just scratched the surface as there was so much to see and photograph here.

I found that once I was up inside the temple I struggled to find stairs down out of it that had handrails. Most exits were just too steep and made worse by not having something to hold on to and I am talking dangerously so. I felt a bit flustered and trapped for a while as I could not find a way out. I think having big feet does not help either … if you have big feet and walk down small steps you will understand. The steps were made for small feet.

Going up the steps was okay … it was just coming down with nothing to hold on to. Anyway I found my way out in the end … signage is inadequate also.

The views from outside were good too.

I exited via the above exit. As I walked down the road I turned and took photographs as the temple disappeared into the trees.

This was the last day with my tuk tuk driver … I do not recommend him. I have learned a lot and would definately do things differently next time. I got a 3 day pass and used it in 3 consecutive days. I would spread it over a longer time next time I go … it was too much to take in and a lot of walking in hot weather. I think that you have 10 days to use a 3 day pass so I would like to take a bit more advantage of that next time. We live and learn.

Please leave a comment or just say hi 😀