Discovering the Magic of Angkor Wat with a Seven-Day Pass

After exploring Angkor Wat for three days, I rented a motorcycle on the last day and finally experienced the freedom of traversing the Grand Circuit. Riding through the straight forest paths at 60 km/h was exhilarating! I was glad I chose to visit the museum and watch the sunset on the first afternoon, joined a hostel tour for the Small Circuit on the second day, and hired a car for the Outer Circuit on the third day. This way, I could mark important points on the map and freely explore the side routes, enriching my understanding of the different periods and kings' aesthetics. I could identify the carvings and stories, and see how Hinduism and Buddhism intertwined. Why do the four-faced king statues on the city gates smile? How do the gods and demons balance each other while churning the ocean of milk? These experiences gave me a preliminary but holistic understanding. Standing in the same corner I saw on the Lonely Planet cover as a child, I felt happiness and contentment beyond my imagination. Siem Reap, as a travel destination, wasn't as dangerous as I feared. Travelers from around the world have made it lively, and as long as you greet locals with kindness and respect, they are eager to share their lives and work with you. They love taking panoramic photos with you, asking if your hometown has four seasons, and how many rice crops grow annually. When I first got on the bike, I didn't realize I had the turn signal and headlights on. A tuk-tuk driver called out to me from afar and stopped to show me how to operate each button. I loved watching the sunrise and sunset. Siem Reap's flat terrain makes Phnom Bakheng a real Mount Meru, and Angkor Wat is built as an ideal Mount Meru, the center of the universe, closer to the heavens. Whether setting out at 4 AM or descending after sunset, you notice the absence of modern lighting around these temples and mountains, allowing you to walk gently in the same light as 2,000 years ago. Walking these dark paths isn't frightening; they are places built for faith, filled with pure and solemn energy. Moreover, many small spirits live here, from the grass to the high treetops, with colorful and lovely butterflies everywhere. Perhaps the artisans saw them fluttering and created various Apsara dancers, embodying waves and bestowing innate joy and light blessings. #AngkorWat #SiemReapTravel #Cambodia #LittleAngkorWat