Travels with Tricia

Tourists walk toward Angkor Wat in Cambodia.

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An Afternoon at Angkor Wat

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Tricia A. Mitchell

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During my maiden (and solo) visit to Angkor Wat, I glimpsed the majestic Cambodian structure at sunrise. Seeing the inky sky gradually awaken over the site and then illuminate it with a shrimp-colored hue was a magical experience. But in the years since, I’d read that the sunrise experience had lost some of its luster, due to massive crowds.

Returning a few years later, Shawn and I decided to arrive at a more gentlemanly hour — well after sunset. Still, we traveled via Siem Reap’s red clay roads, on the back of a bumpy tuktuk.

Me and Shawn.

Built in the early 12th century, Angkor Wat is thought to be the world’s largest religious building – initially Hindu and now Buddhist. Its sandstone walls have weathered harsh tropical sunshine and war with grace.

In lieu of more text, I shall let the beautiful temple show herself off via the images that follow.

Photography & text © Tricia A. Mitchell. All rights reserved.

Tricia A. Mitchell Avatar

About the author

Hi! My name is Tricia Mitchell. I delight in telling stories about my slow travels through more than 65 countries. Some of my highlights have included sharing meals with locals in Armenia, Cambodia, and Tunisia; sipping sparkling wine with French cousins in Alsace; milking goats in a sleepy Bulgarian village; and training with a Japanese mine-clearance team in Laos. My husband, Shawn, and I are based in France’s Loire Valley.

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23 responses to “An Afternoon at Angkor Wat”

  1. ashleypaige4 Avatar
    ashleypaige4

    These photos are absolutely beautiful! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    1. Tricia A. Mitchell Avatar
      Tricia A. Mitchell

      Ashleypaige, that’s kind of you to say – thank you, or as they say in Cambodia (Khmer), “Awkun.” It’s quite easy to become shutter happy at Angkor, so I’ll be posting another batch of pics from Angkor’s other more atmospheric sites in the coming days.

      Reply
  2. travellingflip Avatar
    travellingflip

    Those are awesome photos! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    1. Tricia A. Mitchell Avatar
      Tricia A. Mitchell

      Glad you enjoyed them, Travellingflip! I’ve taken thousands of images so far on this journey through Southeast Asia, so it’s a pleasure to share. Thanks for taking the time to comment on them.

      Reply
  3. Andrew Petcher Avatar
    Andrew Petcher

    Looks stunning – good photos!

    Reply
    1. Tricia A. Mitchell Avatar
      Tricia A. Mitchell

      From one traveler to another, thank you, Andrew!

      Reply
  4. marinachetner Avatar
    marinachetner

    I absolutely adore that photo of the lily pads and flower!

    Reply
    1. Tricia A. Mitchell Avatar
      Tricia A. Mitchell

      They were the lone lily pads in the moat – so pretty and all alone! This image evokes a serene feeling when I see it…

      Reply
  5. Travel Bugster Avatar
    Travel Bugster

    Seems like a neat place to this.

    Reply
    1. Tricia A. Mitchell Avatar
      Tricia A. Mitchell

      It certainly is, Travel Bugster! A must-visit for shutterbugs and those who love culture and history.

      Reply
  6. Zen and Genki Avatar
    Zen and Genki

    Beautiful post, thank you so much for sharing. Love the colours of everything!
    anne

    Reply
    1. Tricia A. Mitchell Avatar
      Tricia A. Mitchell

      Zen and Genki, thank you for the compliment! The Angkorian temples are the perfect backdrop with their dark stone walls, aren’t they? I enjoyed seeing the splash of color with a monk’s robe, colorful costumes, or flora such as the striking water lilies.

      Reply
  7. unpackedwriter Avatar
    unpackedwriter

    Just stunning! You’ve captured more than the essence of the place. I swear I could sense a soul emerging in your photos! Well done doesn’t begin to describe what you captured! – Renee

    Reply
    1. Tricia A. Mitchell Avatar
      Tricia A. Mitchell

      Thank you so much, Renee! I’m guessing that Angkor Wat is on your family’s wish list of spots to see in Asia? It’s such an extraordinary place; I would love to spend a few days in the area exploring all the magnificent temples.

      Reply
      1. unpackedwriter Avatar
        unpackedwriter

        I just showed my husband and we’re both drooling! How funny that you just messaged about it! Your photos are very professional!

      2. Tricia A. Mitchell Avatar
        Tricia A. Mitchell

        Angkor is of course magnificent, but so was our experience in Cambodia’s Takeo province (a spot I’d highly recommend if you’re looking to get off the beaten path too). We stayed at a homestay there, taught English, learned how to thresh rice, and mingled with the locals for a week. What memories!

  8. The Wanderlust Gene Avatar
    The Wanderlust Gene

    Great shots of your day at Angkor Wat – i’ll have to come back to explore some more :)

    Reply
    1. Tricia A. Mitchell Avatar
      Tricia A. Mitchell

      Certainly, it’s a region deserving of many days to explore it! I’ve heard that some of the outlying temples, such as Banteay Srei, are especially worthwhile. Thanks for dropping by and I look forward to learning more of your travels!

      Reply
      1. The Wanderlust Gene Avatar
        The Wanderlust Gene

        Banteay Srei is just gorgeous – like a jewell box, really. The stone is such a deep rusty red, and the carving intricate and almost domestic in scale … I loved it. :)

      2. Tricia A. Mitchell Avatar
        Tricia A. Mitchell

        Do you have any images posted on your site? How long did you tour the Angkorian sites in all?

        We were just saying yesterday how we really miss Cambodia. Perhaps we can make it back soon and see some of the more remote temples!

      3. The Wanderlust Gene Avatar
        The Wanderlust Gene

        Unfortunately, although I started writing about that trip, I got sidetracked writing about my life here in Sri Lanka and haven’t continued with it :(

        I was silly – only scheduling four days (2 halves, 3 full) in Siem Reap – and as you know, you need pretty well a full day for Angkor Wat itself, the same for the Bayon. I had a half day out at Banteay Srei which felt hurried – though I did get lots of shots, I felt most of my time was behind the lens, instead of looking through my own eyes at the carvings. It’s small, and very beautiful.

        I came across a blog the other day with the most fantastic photos of a couple of the ‘outer’ temples – i’ll send you the link if I can find it!

  9. sriramjanak Avatar
    sriramjanak

    beautiful…have to visit this place..

    Reply
    1. Tricia A. Mitchell Avatar
      Tricia A. Mitchell

      I’ve been fortunate to have visited the area twice, but there’s still so much more to explore. The history and architecture are that impressive.

      Reply