October 23, 2024

Today, we began a two-day small group tour of Angkor Wat, costing $45 per person. On the first day, only five of us joined the tour to visit four remarkable temples: Pre Rup, Neak Poan, Preah Khan, and Banteay Srei, collectively known as the “large circuit” of Angkor Wat. Each temple captivated us with its grandeur and intricate beauty, and the well-regulated and organized site ensured a seamless and pleasant experience.

Pre Rup 比粒寺

Neak Poan 涅盘宫

Preah Khan 圣剑寺

Banteay Srei 女王宫

Our knowledgeable guide enriched the visit with detailed explanations, though the sheer volume of information made it difficult to retain everything. These temples, once part of the ancient Khmer Empire’s capital, showcased a harmonious blend of Hindu and Buddhist influences. Their relatively recent rediscovery lent them an authentic charm that stood out from other ancient structures we’ve encountered.

The hot and humid weather was a challenge, but our friendly driver made it bearable. After each stop, he greeted us at the van door with cold water and refreshing eucalyptus-scented towels. Traveling between sites in an air-conditioned van provided much-needed comfort.

On the way back to the city, we stopped at a landmine museum, a sobering reminder of Cambodia’s modern dark history. We ended the day with a lively dinner at Pub Street, wrapping up an unforgettable and deeply meaningful experience.

2024年10月23日

今天，我们开启了为期两天的小团吴哥窟之旅，费用为每人45美元。第一天，我们一共五位游客一同参观了四座令人惊叹的寺庙：比粒寺（Pre Rup Temple), 涅盘宫(Neak Pean),圣剑寺 (Preah Khan Temple) 和女王宫(Banteay Srei Temple), 这些寺庙组成了大吴哥的“外圈”。每座寺庙都以其壮丽的规模和精美的细节让我们惊叹不已，而景区的良好管理也让整个体验十分顺畅愉快。

我们的导游知识渊博，为我们详细讲解了每座寺庙的历史与背景，尽管信息量庞大，难以全部记住。这些寺庙曾是高棉帝国古都的一部分，展示了印度教与佛教元素的和谐融合。它们在近代才被重新发现，因此更显示出其真实与独特，与我们过去见过的其他古代建筑有很大的不同。

炎热潮湿的天气是一种挑战，但我们的好司机每次结束一处景点的参观后，他都会在车门旁递给我们冰凉的矿泉水和带有桉树香味的冷毛巾，再加上车内的空调更是让我们倍感舒适，令行程更加愉快。

返回市区途中，我们参观了地雷博物馆。馆很小却是一段令人警醒的经历，也提醒我们关注柬埔寨近代的悲惨历史。

一天繁忙的行程最终以来到热闹的酒吧街享用晚餐而告一段落。