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Traveling Back In Time At Angkor Wat
One of the best things to experience during travel is to wake up in a new place. It is such an amazing feeling. Currents of pure excitement surge through your being and strange feelings of ecstasy fill you.
This very feeling overwhelmed us as we woke up in the wee hours of the morning in a hotel in Siem Reap, Cambodia. We pulled the window curtains aside and saw it was still dark. But we were up and raring to go. The morning promised to begin on a spectacular note. We were about to experience something that was a dream all these years. We would be visiting the famed temple of Angkor Wat and watching the sun rise from behind the magnificent temple!
The Moment of Magic
We drove in silence through the road that led from the city of Siem Reap to the Angkor Archaeological Park. None of us spoke. We were all immersed in our own thoughts. The air was pregnant with anticipation. Though it was early morning, we could spot a lot of tourists on the way, som in Tuk-Tuks, some on bicycles, some in tourist buses and cars. All headed towards the point of attraction, the Angkor Wat Temple.
As we reached the parking lot, darkness was just giving way to light. We hurried along a long pathway that wound itself towards the largest religious monument in the world. Cool air blew across the huge water body with lotus flowers floating on it as we followed a sea of humanity making their way to watch one of the best shows put up by nature.
Our guide with his local knowledge and insight guided us to a vantage point where we could get the best views of the sunrise. The Angkor Wat temple was a dark shadow in the distance as we stood near a small lake to get the best view of the sunrise. Behind us, all along the lake men, women, and children from probably every corner of the world waited with bated breath for the magic to happen.
A collective gasp broke through the crowds as the first light of the sun pierced the clouds to caress the temple of Angkor Wat. The temple which had been a dark shape till now was bathed in an orange hue. The towers of the huge temple glistened in the ethereal glow of the sun. We were all overwhelmed by the sheer beauty of the spectacle that was unfolding before us. It was as if we had walked straight into a dream. We stood in front of one of those glossy pictures of the Angkor Wat temple bathed in the light of the early morning sun. But this was for real! We soaked in the moment and internalized the experience for we knew that these moments are rare in ones; lifetime.
We glanced back and were amazed at the size of the crowd behind us, now revealed as the cloak of darkness was thrust aside.
Back To Reality
The surreal atmosphere that enveloped us ensured that we were in a daze, in a totally different plane of existence. It was then that one of our phones rang and transported us back to reality. It was a call from home enquiring about our wellbeing, the fact that we were on Airtel international roaming ensured that we stayed seamlessly connected to our loved ones. We have been Airtel network subscribers for a long time and have always found it convenient and hassle-free to just switch on international roaming on our own connections. This is so much more convenient than taking a new connection and SIM card for our travels along with sharing our ID’s in a foreign country.
The call from home broke the magical spell of the sunrise, but it also reminded us how fortunate we were to be at the iconic site. We shared a live video with our family members, thanks to Airtel speed even on international roaming. which is more than sufficient for our favorite and frequently uses apps like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. The pleasure of the moment was multiplied manifold as we shared those moments virtually with our family. Indeed one of the benefits of technology and good internet speed is the ability to stay connected wherever you are.
Inside The Angkor Wat Temple
The sun was above the famous temple. The crowd had dispersed. The mammoth size of the Angkor Wat Temple complex measuring 1.6 Million square meters, ensured that the huge crowds just disappeared inside its fold. We too followed our guide to spend the next few hours lost in awe as we gazed at the artistry and engineering brilliance of the people who walked the earth during the 12th century. The temple is filled with scintillating Bas reliefs, many depicting the scenes from Hindu mythology, some telling stories of victories in war of the Khmer kings. Exquisite carvings awe you as you are stunned by one beautiful carving after another. You find graceful figures of Apsaras gazing at you from unexpected nooks and crannies. Apsara whose stone face radiates a pure beauty that has endured the relentless passage of time and withstood the ravages of nature. We spent hours walking through long corridors, climbing up steep stairways, to satisfy our thirst to learn more about this massive and magnificent temple. We could have spent the whole day and more inside the Angkor Wat temple complex, but practicalities of our schedule meant that we had to make our way out.
As we walked back looking at the beautiful lotus flowers floating on the lake, again as if on cue the phone rang. It was an important call from a client who shared some information about an upcoming project. We were really waiting for this information and were glad that he could reach us so conveniently and seamlessly all the way from India. It was such a relief that our mobile network which was one of the best networks was so reliable.
As we got back into our vehicle, hunger pangs started gnawing at our entrails. All the early morning excitement had made us hungry and our stomachs craved for something. A quick search on our mobile helped us locate an appropriate vegetarian restaurant quickly. Weren’t we glad that we did not have to depend on any hotel WiFi, thanks to the cost-effective Airtel plans, we were connected on the go and the experience was so liberating! Thanks to the marvels of the latest technology at our fingertips.
The sunrise at Angkor Wat ranks as one of the best and unique sunrises that we have ever seen in our lives. Which was your favorite sunrise? Do let us know your thoughts through our comments section.
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All the pictures are so beautiful. I try to contact my friend or family members via normal Calling them or whatsapp calls if possible when I’m traveling.
It is so important to have internet connection when traveling abroad. Not only does internet help you find local attractions but most importantly it helps stay connected with friends and family back home.
Mobile connectivity is so important these days. And especially while travelling as it can help you if you are stuck.
Wow, this is so stunning. The history we have is incredible. I mostly video call them on messenger, whatsapp, google duo and text them on these platforms as well.
I usually stay connected on whatsapp or call them from calling card. BTW all the clicks are amazing and beautiful
I too recently used airtel international roaming in Sri Lanka as its important to stay connected with family and friends wherever you are. Great article.
Such a beautiful place it is… I agree internet connectivity is very important whenever you travel… for me whatsapp video calls are mandatory always
Man, that shot of the crowd at Ankgor Wat brings back memories. I had not expected to see so many people there. Not only that the fact that they were artificially filling up the moat. I would still love to visit Ankor Wat again someday. Beautiful temples.
I had been to Angkor Wat couple of years back, and had a great experience similar to yours. I like how you have explained the interior look of the temple. It is fascinating to come across such antique art of the temple. Great to know that you had a memorable time out there!
This is such a beautiful article written like a poem. I literally felt like being there. It’s nice to see such lovely articles and yes I totally relate to
How important it
Is to stay connected with clients, family and friends on international travel. Once when I travelled I missed a wonderful work opportunity just because I was not reachable. From then on I understood the importance.
Visiting Angkor Wat can feel like traveling back in time. It’s a mesmerizing historical place and one of the wonders of our world. Your pictures look absolutely amazing too! Keep up the great work
I can visualise the moment when the first rays of the sun fell on the Angkor Wat Temple. It would be totally a dreamy moment. Glad to know that you were well connected through Airtel’s International Roaming. I was thinking about some good mobile connection. I might look into Airtel.
Quite rightly titled going back in time and guess that is what exactly the Angkor Wat gives you a feeling of. I am planning to visit it next year and though have read quite a lot of posts about it this one only helps me plan better. I bet the visuals that you shared with your family would have been breathtaking and I want to experience that moment. So much history is truely magical and being a history buff can’t wait to experience the magic
This is something I definitely want to experience and I really want to visit this region. I have seen photos of the huge crowd of people who go to see the sunrise, I just hope it didn’t spoil your experience. Sometimes it’s worth getting out of bed in the early hours to make magical memories like this.
You have done good collection of pictures here. it is very important to internet connection when traveling abroad. I usually stay connected with family members and friend on whatsapp and call.
This post took me back to our trip to Angkor Wat. There is so much history in and around the temples and every monument is soaked in century old legends and myths. I was fascinated by the connections that I could draw to Hinduism practiced in India and yet there were some stark differences in the mythology and traditions of both the countries.
Sunrises sure are special. In fact each morning I love walking down to my local beach to watch the sunrise above Rangitoto – the volcanic island off the Auckland coast. But if you want to know my all time favourite one – getting up at 4.30am to climb 700 steps up to the East Cape lighthouse in New Zealand to be the first in the world that day to see the sun rise.
I loved your Angkor Wat posts and especially this one as it really takes us to back in time with useful information and tips. I must say the sunrises of this place is wonderful and really it one of the best in world. Good to know that Airtel has good network here and it works fine without any hiccups. Hopefully, I will visit Angkor Wat soon.