The Ancient Relics

Angkor Wat

UNESCO declared it a World Heritage in 1992; one of the seven wonders of the world. Angkor Wat which once housed a majestic ancient civilisation still poses a 'must' visit spot and you savour in the rich culture of its past as you examine its relics. People of this Hindu Civilisation are great artisans, warriors and farmers. Barter trade and territorial supremacy seemed to rule the day for a people steeped in religious practices.

Just before you arrive at the spot, you will notice a man-made canal that acts as a moat measuring 100m wide and 12 km in perimeter surrounding the world heritage. From days of old the defence system had already been at its helm as survival was the name of the game.

The moat looks peaceful and at ease with nature.

This one day visit is tiring...you walk and walk and walk. The one day affair sapped us of our energy and caused most of us to have a deep slumber that evening.

The contingent from Seafield is ever ready for that banner ; all thanks to the media lady.

At the entrance you will be greeted by vendors ready to dispense the hats...good business tactics and they started ranting 5 dollar, 5 dollar... But how can they argue with teachers? One dollar la. No,no...2 for 5 dollar? Aya 5 for 10 dollar la...deal? Yes ; deal.

Hahaha...deal !

So with the new gotten hats, we were ready to storm the place; come rain or shine.

Encik Rahim and Encik Zaharuddin are real good sports as they blended in with the noisy ladies with ease...our perfect companions all ready to protect us...macho.

Encircling the ancient building, a strong fort stood formidable to potential enemies back then. The soldiers then were tough and real warriors unlike modern days where people fight with high- tech devices ... sigh... why the need to fight?

The entrance to the Hindu Kingdom awed its visitors as it promised a sense of mystery and a revelation to its glorious past.



You can imagine the amount of work we had to achieve for that day... but walked we must because we had come a long way across the seas to see a South East Asian wolrd heritage. San Chey, the guide told us that we had to cover three major spots :

• The South Gate of Angkor Thom
• The world Heritage of Angkor Wat
• Bakheng Hill
  
  

The reminder of preserving Angkor Thom is needful for it not only related the past but is also a gold pot for the poverty-stricken nation. Strange, how things turn out in life...what the past worked on brought new hope and monetary gains to its present civilisation.

There, the group once again relishing in moments of the place.

Aha... you see the lovely hats on the pretty maids?

It's photo time ; you know who's the greatest actress? Madam Ung, the sporting discipline chief ; always acting in school too !

San Chey , the humble and diligent guide was ever ready to pour out the contents of the past by interpreting the pictorial inscriptions on the wall. So many stories that I have got them all mixed up but it basically recounted events, wars, celebrations, daily activities people were involved in then.

To do justice to the inscriptions, you have to pay a visit because I am not able to speak all that San Chey had spoken ; far too many tales and myths.

We could ony deduce that the ancient people were highly artistic and creative and painstakenly crafted works that lasted through decades and even centuries to come. Now we use the computer that saves time and capable of even greater colours and achievements...but no comparison to the laborious work of tenacity and skill. Decades of work involving thousands and thousands of hard workers marked the evidence shown.

Along the tour we saw conservation works been done to maintain and preserve parts that were giving way. Such efforts must be confirmed for the tourism industry.

Surely Ms Tan could not resist that window picture...the perfect history teacher on her tour to fortify her teaching in class ! Sweet Ms Goh simply accompanied her to her joy.

But of course who can beat the media lady and me? Pose, pose, pose...but I enjoyed every second of it...my lovely sister . Notice what we wore? Great minds think alike.

At last the official camera man said it was his turn and the shot must be memorable and he got it!

From a higher point, we could decipher visitors from afar all ready to learn of the past glories of this civilisation.

A warning to potential visitors, be ready to climb up and down and if you have weak knees do take note. We were thankful because many of us were no more that youthful and yet we managed those climbs as well as we could; unharmed.

The tour around the South Gate of Angkor Thom took the whole morning and we were reminded that the second tour was soon to begin after the meal.

If you are not prepared for the itinerary pschologically, you may be caught and be reluctant to move for it was indeed a tough feat ; definitely not for older folks and so if you are still up and kicking , attempt a visit soon.

So began our second part into the inner courts of the one of the Seven Wonders of the world. Madam Ung and I with our hair down posed again la leading the way in.

The History jargon added further hue by that dance step in tandem with a local lass.

We were advised by San Chey to take this image of the Angkor Wat reflected in the waters of a lake nearby as it held the building in its total span.

See...climb, climb, climb. Watch your knees ! It must be appropriate to concur that people then must be lean and healthy. They did not have to buy fitness machinery; everything so natural.

After the great climb, we were again entertained with the many folklores and details of the past inscribed within the four walls.

Teachers...aha...kiasu like craze; everything must be asked and answers must be acceptable. Poor San Chey; he did not know what he was in for.

But this is awesome ; don't you think so?

So out of nothing better to remember by; we played the game ; now you see it , now you don't. Children, aren't you glad your parents and teachers are still capable of fun and humour?

In the temple, there were courtyards of worship and perhaps meetings. Spacious lots were eminent to denote kingly assemblies and court decisions ; I think.

So the courts had its present-day audience all too tired for further arguments; if there were a case on we would have agreed with the decision without qualms !

Then we began another climb to the highest spot where the King only visited weekly for worship and prayers. Many of us defy the challenge and did not attempt it.

So they sat down there waiting for the rest who made the climb.

Just observe the gradient of these steps... was it meant to make access to the courts difficult for security purposes back then? Only the youthful can be at the beck and call of the royal court.

So after we finally finished our rounds of the ancient Wonder, we were ushered into the third part of the tour; Bakheng Hill to see the much-talked about Sunset experience.

By then the thought of slogging for another 20 minutes of uphill climb was too much to bear for some. So they resorted to another mode ; elephant rides! US 20.00 per pc !

Some took the ride...make a guess of the guests !

But the hale and hearty took the challenge again ! You know why I was not in the pic? Camera lady la.

But perhaps the most daunting decision was to climb Bakheng Hill. The climbs were becoming more challenging each time. So be prepared for hard work if you want to scour the grounds of this ancient Wonder. Not all wanted to do the climb again.





When we reached the top, I saw 2 pregnant ladies there. They were bold. But many were already there waiting for the sunset view. People go to great lengths to experience the out of the world. We were fortunate that it did not pour that evening.





Some grounds were holy ground not meant for the public to step on; so the call was respected.




The anxious wait for the sun to set; when was it going to set?

Everyone was waiting for the panoramic view...when was it coming? San Chey you told us at 6.30 but it was already 6.45 and you cheekily revealed that sometimes the sun does not set with the bright orange hue...aha...disappointment !

True enough ; that were the last streaks of colours for the evening; quite disappointing.

When the skies started to darken, it meant we had to descend the hill.

The descent was even more critical ; and yet some of us made it.




On the way down, Madam Ung sponsored some cash for the hardworking musicians who had been entertaining us in our walk up and down.

It was a different experience throughout the day but one that was meant for keeps in our lifetime and it was indeed made more meaningful taking the challenges with friends and colleagues who were there to support and have fun.

And...what better way to end the evening to have our aches and pains removed for the day?

Yes...Massage away our blues...what a day !