Pub Street, Linga Bar and Zanzybar in Siem Reap

[friedfrunk]

I stood proudly in the first pic, flexing my non-existent muscles. I felt a strong urge to kick someone over the edge and bellow, "THIS ... IS ... SIEM REEEAAAPPP!!!"

[friedfrunk]

Most temple steps are insanely steep. Like twice the height of regular steps but half the width. I'm talking 60 - 70 degree inclines. I imagine the accident rate to be very high during Angkor Wat's glorious past.

[friedfrunk]

I'm all templed out now.

[friedfrunk]

Pics

[friedfrunk]

The sheer awesome of Angkor Wat makes mongering so trivial in comparison. I was actually ashamed that ladyboyology studies was a side activity to Angkor Wat. And so I decided to test my level of ashamedness. By meeting more ladyboys after Angkor Wat.

A farang and I are getting molested by freelancers. This is just outside my guest house and Zanzybar.

[friedfrunk]

Here's one of the freelancers. Her name's Alin. Errrmm maybe the pics don't do her justice. I hear she's got hairy legs and a furry asstache. So I hear. You can spot Tom Selleck up her crack if you use your imagination.

[Steff]

Wow FF, the pix of Angkor Wat are terrific. The temples are truly amazing but I am more impressed with the stubborn tenacity of those trees!!! Goodness are they determined.

Oh yeah, the LB pix are alright also.

[Rocket J. Squirrel]

Great Angkor Wat photos. When I was in SR I had no LB luck at all. I will definitely go back (for both)

[Steff]

Don't take it personally Rocky. FF is one helluva hansum fella.

[pacman]

(Steff @ Jan. 14 2011,03:26) FF is one helluva hansum fella.  

Yes, he does OK for an amateur...      

In regards to the Angkor Wat photos, take a bow FF, they are among the best pics of the place I have ever seen. I have been threatening to go for a long time, now I must get there.

FF, I have read several times of people feeling they were in the midst of ancient spirits when they walked around Angkor. Some went further & described something very spiritual about the place, that they were in awe of their surroundings & found it very unsettling.

Did you have any such thoughts?

And another question, was the place heaving with people or is it so big everyone spreads out so you don't see them? And is a guide compulsory? Is there any other way of getting the historical info such as one of those do-dads you hire with it all recorded?

That's actually 4 questions in total. Sue me. Please add any comment worth noting that may help a first time visitor. Thanks.

Love Paccie, the amateur's apprentice...        

[guydesavoy]

(pacman @ Jan. 14 2011,05:42) Paccie, the amateur's apprentice...      

Don't be so modest Paccie.

Keep them FLs coming FF . I think on this page so far the camera has been quite fair.

[friedfrunk]

@pacman
Technically Angkor Wat is just one of many temples in the huge site known as Angkor Archaeological Park. That's quite a mouthful, so the collection of temples is simply called Angkor Wat for convenience. You must visit, paccie.

1. You can't help but feel spiritual while exploring Angkor Wat. These architectural wonders are Hindu and Buddhist temples after all. I'm not surprised that some felt the presence of spirits. I didn't. I often found myself very much alone. Traversing a long tunnel towards a Buddhist statue. Or staring wide-eyed at murals in a dark chamber. Or imagining how truly glorious everything must have been centuries ago. It's at solitary moments like these when I felt especially pensive. And for lack of a better word, "spiritual". I was in awe of my surroundings and felt humbled. In spite of the sensory overload of Angkor Wat, my attention tended to focus within rather than without. I was more withdrawn and thoughtful while exploring the ancient temples, if that makes sense.

2. There are many visitors daily but the Angkor Archaeological Park is too huge to feel their presence. It's high season now and the busy Siem Reap city makes this obvious. But not at the temple sites.

3. Guides, whether human or book form, aren't necessary but they are useful for historical context. You'll probably get a tuk-tuk to bring you around for US$10 - $15 per day. That's what I did. Many drivers can explain the history to you. I've also seen a number of visitors on bicycles, armed with just a map and a guide book. Seems like a fun and cheap way to explore Angkor Wat.

4. Many locals at Angkor Wat will try to sell you maps and guide books. But you can get them for free at Siem Reap city. Try your hotel or one of the restaurants. I got mine at an Indian restaurant called Maharajah. Good grub and cheap. The pic below shows the freebies I got from Maharajah: guide book and two maps of Angkor Wat, Drinking & Dining guide to Siem Reap, Out & About guide to Siem Reap.

[farangbah]

(friedfrunk @ Jan. 14 2011,17:59) You'll probably get a tuk-tuk to bring you around for US$10 - $15 per day. That's what I did. Many drivers can explain the history to you. I've also seen a number of visitors on bicycles, armed with just a map and a guide book. Seems like a fun and cheap way to explore Angkor Wat.

I recommend the bike, Package.

As the Honorable FriedFrunk has said, the place is big enough to spread out and find solitude. The bike facilitates that, providing complete freedom and mobility (and quietude).

I'm a huge fan of exploring new places by bike . . .

[friedfrunk]

My ladyboy choices have been questionable lately. It's so fricken dark outside my guest house where freelancers wander. My judgement is impaired. After I drag my chosen company to the room and turn on the lights, it's too late.

Meet Avi. I hear she's got hairy legs and a small cock. But I could be wrong. After all I don't think I have sexual relations with Siem Reap ladyboys.

[friedfrunk]

There's a massage shop on the ground floor of my guest house. With a passable ladyboy masseuse. Her name's Narie. I only knew she was one of ours because my homophobic tuk-tuk driver warned me. He's been trying to convert me off ladyboys. He feels very strongly that ladyboys are bad for his country and for me. Thanks for the masseuse tip-off, pal.

I hear Narie can go to your room for massages and more. She can even strip naked, wank her small tool and anally absorb your cock. So I hear. I seem to hear a lot of rumors about Siem Reap ladyboys. Oh hero, you're such a cool guy for making my posts read this way.