Sacred Waters and Ancient Ruins: Aditya's Thrillophilia Review of a Trip to Cambodia
We had always talked about visiting Cambodia, and one day, we just decided to make it happen. After browsing through Thrillophilia's tour packages, we knew they were the ones to help us plan the perfect trip. Their booking process was so easy, it felt like we were already on vacation!
Floating Villages and Sacred Blessings
Our journey in Cambodia began with a scenic evening on the Tonle Sap Lake. We had heard so much about the floating villages, but nothing prepared us for the real experience. The boat ride was smooth, and as we sailed through the water, we could see children waving at us from small boats, their faces lit with excitement. The village life around the lake was fascinating - houses floating, people busy in their daily routines, and fishermen casting their nets. As the sun began to set, we stopped at Phnom Krom to take in the view.
“Wow...just look at the colours!” I said, pointing to the horizon.
“I know! It’s like the entire world is glowing,” my partner replied, smiling.
We sat there for a while, taking in the peaceful ambience, and I couldn’t help but feel grateful for starting our trip this way. It wasn’t just about sightseeing; it was about experiencing a part of the world that was so different from our everyday life.
The next day, we headed out on a journey to one of Cambodia’s hidden gems - the Beng Melea temple. This was definitely not one of those crowded tourist attractions. We drove through a thick jungle and arrived at the temple, which looked like it had been reclaimed by nature. Giant trees twisted around the ancient stone ruins, and I could almost imagine what it must have been like centuries ago.
We spent a good part of the afternoon exploring the ruins, taking pictures, and trying to figure out how such a beautiful temple had stayed hidden for so long. It wasn’t until later, when we visited Wat Damnak, that we had a completely different experience. A monk greeted us at the pagoda and led us to a small prayer area for a blessing ceremony - it was such a peaceful and uplifting moment.
The monks chanted blessings, sprinkled holy water on us, and tied sacred threads around our wrists. The calmness of the ceremony stayed with us long after we left the temple.
Exploring Angkor and Its Wonders
On day three, we visited the Rolous group of temples and I could hardly believe how ancient these structures were. They dated back to the 9th and 10th centuries and Lo Lei, Preah Koh, and Bakhong temples were all impressive in their own way. What stood out the most for me, though, was the detailed carvings and architecture that seemed to stand the test of time.
“Can you believe this place is over a thousand years old?” I said as we walked around Bakhong Temple.
“I can’t even wrap my head around it. The fact that these temples are still standing is incredible,” my partner replied.
After spending time at the Rolous temples, we headed to Banteay Srei, a much smaller temple but one that had the most incredible detailed carvings I had ever seen. I was really taken by the history and beauty of this place. I mean, it was clear that the Khmer civilization had a deep appreciation for art and storytelling, and Banteay Srei was proof of that.
The day wasn’t over yet. We visited Banteay Samre Temple, which was surrounded by beautiful relics depicting Hindu gods. By this point, we were starting to get temple fatigue – but not here. The relics were so stunning, and it felt like every part of the temple was a piece of history we didn’t want to miss.
The Angkor Temples and Our Phnom Penh Adventure
Day four brought us to Angkor Wat, one of the most famous temples in the world. As we walked through its massive gates, I couldn’t help but feel in awe of its grandeur. There was something undeniably powerful about standing in front of one of the largest religious monuments in the world. The carvings inside were breathtaking, and the sheer size of the temple was enough to make you feel small.
“This is unbelievable. I thought I knew what to expect, but this… this is beyond anything I imagined,” I said, looking up at the towering spires.
“I think we could spend days here and still not see everything,” my partner replied, taking pictures and trying to capture the scale of the place.
After spending time at Angkor Wat, we explored Angkor Thom and its incredible Bayon Temple. The 54 towering faces of Bayon were mesmerizing. It was like they were watching us from all angles, and it gave the whole place an eerie yet fascinating feeling.
Later, we made our way to Phnom Penh, where we visited the Royal Palace, It was simply majestic, with its silver floor tiles glittering under the sun. The Silver Pagoda was another real highlight, but what truly amazed us was the visit to the Toul Sleng Museum and the Killing Fields. Learning about Cambodia’s tragic history during the Khmer Rouge regime was emotional, but it gave us a deeper understanding of the country’s resilience and strength.
“Such a powerful experience. I don’t think we’ll ever forget this,” I said, reflecting on the day as we left the museum.
“Yeah, it’s definitely something we’ll carry with us,” my partner agreed, a solemn look on their face.
Our time in Cambodia was full of contrasts - from the peaceful temples to the intense history we learned. But it was these experiences that made our trip a memorable one.
Read More: Thrillophilia Cambodia Reviews