BEEP, BEEP, BEEP! The shrill sound of my alarm broke through the stillness of the early morning, jolting me awake. I squinted at the glowing numbers: 3:50 a.m… Five precious minutes of rest remained before I had to drag myself out of bed—but I wasn’t about to risk missing what I knew would become one of the most unforgettable days of my life.
As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, my parents are avid travelers. Their love for exploring the world started long before my sister, Arli, and I came along. But having kids never slowed them down. In fact, some of my earliest memories are rooted in those adventures, like the time they took us to the temple of Angkor Wat in Cambodia when we were just 5 and 3 years old.
That story has been told countless times in my family. No matter how often I’ve heard it, I still find myself asking them to recount it—the thrill of waking up before dawn, the journey to the temple, and the wonder of seeing the sunrise over the ancient spires of Angkor Wat. Even as a child, I somehow understood that we were witnessing something extraordinary.
If you’re unfamiliar with Angkor Wat, it’s an ancient temple built nearly 900 years ago during the Khmer Empire in Siem Reap, Cambodia. As the largest religious monument in the world, it’s often referred to as the “Eighth Wonder of the World”—and for good reason. The sheer size, intricate carvings, and the spiritual aura of this UNESCO World Heritage Site leave visitors in awe.
The part of this story that always makes me giddy with excitement is the daring climb from the first floor of the temple to the upper levels. Now, you might think, how hard can climbing stairs really be? Well, let me tell you: these weren’t your average stairs. They were thin, uneven, and so steep that climbing them required both your hands and feet. Imagine scaling a ladder made of ancient stone—it was truly unforgettable.
Given the precarious nature of the climb, my mom had fully planned to stay on the lower level with my then 3-year-old sister, Arli. But then something remarkable happened. A kind-hearted local Cambodian man approached us and, without hesitation, offered to carry my sister up to the next level. Before my mom could process what was happening, he gently scooped Arli up and began climbing—quickly and confidently.
I can only imagine the heart attack my mom must have had watching a stranger whisk her baby away up those treacherous steps. But she followed close behind, determined not to let her daughter out of her sight. I was next, scaling the steps with all the determination my 5-year-old self could muster, while my dad trailed behind like a safety net, just in case I needed help.
My whole family and I successfully made it to the top of the temple–and that moment of achievement will stay with us forever.
Looking back, it’s a funny and slightly terrifying memory, but it’s one that shaped me in ways I didn’t realize at the time. For me, it was more than just a climb—it was the start of a journey that opened my mind to the beauty and wonder of the world from such an early age.
17 Years Later…
It was the morning of July 6th, 2024, and by this point, Arli and I were about five weeks into our backpacking journey through Southeast Asia. That day, we woke up in a modest hostel in Siem Reap, Cambodia, a destination we had traveled to for one specific reason: to visit the 8th Wonder of the World, the awe-inspiring temple of Angkor Wat.
Knowing that Angkor Wat is the crown jewel of Siem Reap and a magnet for travelers, the hostel was fully prepared. Breakfast started at 4 a.m., catering to those eager to catch the legendary sunrise over the ancient monument. We wandered down the dimly lit hallway toward the lobby, which was already buzzing with excitement. Backpackers, adventure seekers, and explorers filled the room, all ready to embark on a journey through Cambodia’s most iconic temple.
Our pickup time was precisely 4:20 a.m., and of course, Arli and I were the last ones to shuffle onto the bus. Why? Because we couldn’t resist indulging in toast and fresh fruit! “WILLIAMS, party of two—last call!” the driver shouted. Dropping our half-eaten breakfast, we bolted out into the dark morning, determined not to miss our chance to see Angkor Wat.
The ungodly hour? Totally worth it. Angkor Wat is best experienced at sunrise, or so our parents always told us. And as the bus rumbled off into the night, we couldn’t help but feel a mix of anticipation and nostalgia for the adventure ahead.
We hopped on the bus, and our guide introduced himself, flashing a warm smile. “My name is Sen—like Sin,” he said with a playful chuckle. A Cambodian local with a knack for storytelling, Sen was brimming with knowledge about the monument we were about to witness. He also had a sharp sense of humor and loved cracking jokes, which was both endearing and slightly ambitious for 5:00 a.m. After a debrief that felt about two minutes too long for the early hour, I found myself gazing out the window, captivated by the faint glow of dawn as it began to color the crisp morning sky.
Sen had reassured us that rain or shine, Angkor Wat’s sunrise was beautiful in its own way. But as the hues of orange and pink started painting the horizon, I knew this morning was going to be extra special.
Arli and I were part of a tour group of about twenty other sleepy but eager travelers. True to his character, Sen nicknamed us the “Early Birds”. Every morning, thousands of visitors flock to witness this incredible sight, and Sen was determined to secure us a prime viewing spot. “Early Birds, chop chop!” he shouted as the bus pulled into the parking lot, and we knew he meant business.
Disembarking the bus, we scurried behind Sen as he navigated the buzzing crowd toward the temples entrance. The atmosphere was electric, filled with the hurried footsteps and muffled whispers of tourists racing to beat the rising sun. Yet amidst the chaos, I paused for a brief moment. Closing my eyes, I let the soft symphony of birdsong wash over me. In that instant, I felt a wave of gratitude and excitement, knowing I was about to experience something I had dreamed of for so long.
Suddenly, we turned the corner, and there it was. I think my jaw actually dropped. Angkor Wat, standing tall and majestic, bathed in the soft glow of the early morning light. Puffy clouds drifted above, and the reflection of the temple rippled in the tranquil pool before it. The sight was absolutely breathtaking.
We continued our journey toward the temple, walking down a long stone bridge that spanned the center of the pool, perfectly symmetrical with the entrance. The stillness of the water made the whole scene feel even more surreal. As we passed under the gates, Angkor Wat seemed to rise even closer, its intricate carvings and towering spires now more detailed than ever. It was hard to look away, and we found ourselves completely mesmerized, barely able to process what we were seeing.
We wandered the grounds, taking in the enormity of it all, before scouting the perfect spot to settle in and witness the sunrise. The anticipation was palpable as we found our place, ready to witness the sun’s first light illuminate the temple’s silhouette.
About 15 minutes later, the sun began to peek through the trees surrounding the temple. It was one of the most beautiful moments of my life. Standing there with my sister by my side, watching the sun rise above the temple, I couldn’t help but feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude. Gratitude for being able to witness such a breathtaking moment, sharing it with my best friend, in a place so rich with history and beauty.
After the sun made its way well above the temple, it was time to explore the inside of Angkor Wat. Sen guided us through the gates, and we were immediately captivated by the architecture and detailed carvings, crafted nearly a thousand years ago. The entire time, Sen shared fascinating facts with us. We learned that Angkor Wat was originally built as a Hindu temple but transitioned to a Buddhist temple in the late 12th century and remains an important Buddhist site today. Additionally, the temple represents Mount Meru, the mythical center of the universe in Hindu and Buddhist cosmology, with its central towers symbolizing the mountain’s peaks and the surrounding moat representing the cosmic ocean.
As we explored the ground level, we marveled at the walls, which vividly depicted stories from ancient times, including epic battles and religious ceremonies. When we reached the central part of the temple, we learned something that I found particularly fascinating: the temple’s architectural symmetry. Angkor Wat is a masterpiece, meticulously designed to align with both the physical and cosmic worlds. The layout is perfectly symmetrical, with the central tower and surrounding structures creating a harmonious balance.
We continued to make our way through the enormous temple and eventually reached the staircase that would lead us to the second level. Arli and I climbed up the stairs and walked through small passageways, eventually entering a large, open space that covered most of the second level. At one point, Sen told us to look up, and to our surprise, we saw bats flying around that had made their home in the ceilings. Good thing nothing dropped on us… We were still in awe, wandering around the second level and taking in the amazing views from the surrounding areas.
Finally, we came across the famous thin and steep staircase featured in our parents’ stories. This time, however, there was a new wooden staircase built over the ancient stone, still very steep, but making it a bit easier to navigate.
We began to climb, taking it one step at a time, and the staircase seemed almost vertical as we made our way to the top. My heart was racing a little, as I’m not the biggest fan of heights, especially when there’s no safety protection. But finally, Arli and I both made it to the top, and the sense of happiness and relief was overwhelming. We couldn’t believe we were back at the summit of Angkor Wat, a place we had stood 17 years earlier as children, with our parents, witnessing the same breathtaking views.
We spent several moments at the top, exploring every face and corner of this ancient monument, soaking in the incredible history around us. When it was time to descend, we carefully made our way down the narrow wooden staircase, which, to me, was even more daunting than going up. I felt a wave of relief when we finally reached the second level, and from there, we navigated another staircase back to the ground level. We exited Angkor Wat through the west entrance, a different route from where we had come in.
As we walked away from the magnificent temple, we kept glancing back, unable to look away. In the soft morning light, Angkor Wat seemed almost unreal, its beauty lingering like a dream. Even as we moved forward, the experience stayed with us, etched into our hearts like the ancient stones of Angkor itself.
Thank you for joining our unforgettable journey through the temple of Angor Wat! But the adventure doesn’t end here—get ready for the next chapter, where we uncover the soul of Cambodia’s vibrant capital city, Phnom Penh. Stay tuned!
Xoxo, Addi
