DAY 4: Southeast Asia: Wonders of Cambodia, Vietnam & the Mekong
Day four began very early, before sunrise. We woke in the dark for a sunrise visit to Angkor Wat, the most famous temple in Cambodia, departing the hotel at 4:50 a.m. Somehow, it didn’t feel too painful; after weeks of waking between 2:30 and 3:30 a.m., our bodies were already halfway there.
The bus carried us quietly toward the site just outside the city. When we arrived, it was still pitch black. We waited on cool stone steps outside the moat that surrounds the vast temple complex, sitting in near silence as we watched the horizon for signs of dawn. About twenty minutes later, light slowly began to rise, revealing the immense stone structure of Angkor Wat, once a Hindu temple and later a Buddhist one, standing strong and timeless against the changing sky. It was breathtaking in its scale. The outline of Angkor Wat is on the Cambodian flag and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. We toured the immense area, spending two hours among the ruins.
Our guide, Buth, shared stories through the Whisper listening system, weaving together history and personal reflection. Alongside details of the temple, he told us about his own life and what marriage looks like in Cambodia. He laughed as he explained that when he was 23, his father told him it was time to marry, pointed to a neighboring woman, and said he should choose her. One week later, they were married.
We returned to the hotel around 8:30 a.m. and enjoyed breakfast before resting for a bit. Later, we headed out on foot to explore the town, politely declining the steady stream of tuk-tuk offers along the way. At the Old Market, we found a Hello Kitty pajama set for Sophia.
Back at the hotel, I took a nap while Chris caught up on reading. We also checked in with Buth and handed over our passports and visas so arrangements could be finalized for the Emerald cruise ship we board tomorrow, a reminder that the next leg of our journey is just around the corner.
In the afternoon, we headed out again, this time toward Pub Street, a lively area filled with bars, restaurants and shops catering to tourists. We shared a Hawaiian pizza and a Coke, then wandered through a few shops before heading back to the hotel.
The evening brought something special: our welcome dinner and cultural show at the Satcha Cambodian Handicraft Incubation Center. The performance was incredible, featuring singers, Apsara dancers, puppeteers, and musicians, each sharing pieces of Cambodian culture through movement and music. The outdoor handicraft village was equally impressive, showcasing artists in training, painters, sculptors, seamstresses, and more.
Dinner was served family-style and was delicious. We ate together with our tour group (the Red Group), sharing food, conversation, and the growing sense of camaraderie.
Back at the hotel, we settled in for the night and finally enjoyed a solid, restful sleep.