<\/p>\n
The theme song was playing in my head. Dun Duduntaah. Dun Dundaaaa.<\/p>\n
I wasn’t wearing a fedora, but my hiking shoes gave me a sense of adventure. I looked around the temple grounds. It was quiet and the sun was quickly rising in the distance. I approached the table in the center of the temple slowly. Took a deep breath. 1. 2. 3. I touched the egg-shaped stone positioned on the table and began to run down the labyrinth of stairs leading out of the temple structure. The theme song played louder in my head. I could feel the large boulder the size of a MiniCooper was barreling down on me. I ran for dear life.<\/p>\n
Finally, outside the temple, somewhat at safety, I paused to catch my breath. I escaped the relentless boulder, but the locals would be here soon. There is no time to rest for an action hero.<\/p>\n
Siem Reap, Cambodia<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Get there early Use your imagination Not just the bigs There’s a jungle temple. The temple with faces carved into the side. The temple by the water. Don’t sleep on the other Angkor temples.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>Tourists flock to the Angkor temples starting at around 8:30AM. If you get there a little after 7, you will mostly have them to yourself (and the little children trying to get money). Being able to move freely is a lot more fun than sidestepping passed foreigners posing for pictures.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>Ancient temples are interesting and pretty to look at, even if many are in ruins. But by applying a little creativity, they come alive!<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>Angkor Wat gets all the press. Tourists line up at 5AM to get a good spot for a sunrise photo. It is the largest religious temple in the world. But too many people visit Angkor Wat and hightail it out of Cambodia. I actually enjoyed the smaller temples more.<\/p>\n
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