Today we stepped into one of the most breathtaking places on Earth Angkor Wat, and let me tell you: wow doesn’t even come close. We’ve done some big-ticket sights on this trip including Machu Picchu, Piza, Lurve and so on just a few months ago… but the sheer scale of Angkor Wat? It’s next level. Peru was jaw dropping. This? This felt like stepping into a living, breathing epic.
It’s hard to explain what it feels like walking through this ancient temple complex, surrounded by stone towers that scrape the sky and carvings that tell stories older than most countries. But it wasn’t just the temples that made the day unforgettable… it was our guide and the fact you are not restricted to narrow routes!
We hadn’t planned on hiring a guide, but as we stepped through the main gate, this absolutely buzzing local guide approached us full of beans, grinning from ear to ear. Within seconds he had Georgia giggling with his booming intro:
“ANGKOR WHO?! ANGKORRRRR WATT!!!”
From that moment, we were hooked. His enthusiasm was contagious. Every stone had a story. Every carving came to life through his animated gestures and voices. He got Georgia involved at every stop asking questions, pointing out hidden animals in the bas reliefs, even teaching her how to spot the apsaras (celestial dancers) with different poses and headdresses. She went from quiet observer to mini explorer in no time.
🛕 Why Angkor Wat Matters
Angkor Wat isn’t just the most famous temple in Cambodia it’s the largest religious monument in the world, originally built in the 12th century by King Suryavarman II. First a Hindu temple to Vishnu, it slowly transformed into a Buddhist site. The complex is enormous surrounded by a moat, filled with detailed reliefs that depict epic battles, gods, and daily life from over 800 years ago.
But what really blew us away was how perfectly symmetrical and awe-inspiringly vast the place is. It dwarfs everything else we’ve seen. You walk down one corridor, then turn a corner and realise there’s still a whole city of stone stretching out in front of you.
🌞 The Details That Made It Magic
Sunlight streamed through crumbling doorways, lighting up the ancient stone like something out of a movie. Our guide clapped his hands to demonstrate the “echo chamber” in the Hall of Echoes Georgia tried it and burst into laughter when her clap echoed right back at her. He showed us secret spots we’d have missed alone a Buddha statue wrapped in saffron cloth in a hidden alcove, incense curling up silently into the stone ceiling. Dotty, riding in the carrier, was wide eyed the whole time, Ali overheating in the 34 degrees heat carrying Dotty while Georgia looking for monkeys playing near the moat (sadly we didn’t see any).
We all make it out from the temples satisfied and happy what a great morning it had been!
🍉 Back to the Pool
After a full morning of temples, heat, and history, we were absolutely knackered. But not before Georgia asked for one more shout from “ANGKOR WHO GUY!” and of course, he delivered one final booming shout that had everyone within earshot smiling.
We then took a short trip to another temple and toured around( there are loads) and after which we called it a day, we were knackered!
We wrapped up back at the pool, cooling off and talking about everything we saw. Even Georgia mimicked the chant all afternoon, I guess It was the kind of day that’ll stay with us for years part adventure, part history, and all heart. (We have 2 more days of it to go)
💡 Travel Tip:
Hire a guide at the gate. We didn’t plan to, but it made the experience ten times better. Ours was friendly, energetic, and great with the kids plus, they know all the best photo spots and hidden details. Expect to pay around $15–$25 for a tour, and it’s worth every cent.
