Christmas in Cambodia

4:30AM (Siem Reap time), December 25, 2009. Christmas Morning.

The idea was to get front row seats to the daybreak spectacle that is the Angkor Wat sunrise. Considered one of the world’s largest religious structures, the Angkor Wat welcomes millions  of tourists every year. December, especially during the holiday break, is considered high season.

The area of the temple was pitch black when we got there. There are no lampposts whatsoever. We had to navigate our way with torches.

The experience of waiting for the sun to rise behind the peaks of the towers attracts a motley crew of tourists. As it was Christmas Day, we thought most everyone would still be asleep and hung over from the late-night partying at Pub Street. We thought wrong.

Thankfully, our skillful guide ensured we were at the temple grounds before 5am. We secured precious spots right by the bank of the pool, where one can clearly see the five towers’ silhouette.

Seats may be rented for a dollar each but come with your choice of coffee, tea or hot choco. Steaming hot local coffee erased our sleepiness and made us even more giddy with excitement.

By half past five, sun chasers from all over were all over.  Asians (possibly Japanese) with their packed breakfast got the better seats. Most of the fair-skinned tourists arrived later and had to make do with taking photos from the side angles. Everybody was armed with a digital cameras, a number even had impressive tripods.

Needless to say, it was not a silent wait. But it wasn’t noisy either.  The towers amidst the stars were a calming sight. Each one was soon lost in their own thoughts, reflecting. Regardless of religion being there was indeed nothing short of a spiritual experience.  This perhaps is what the Angkor Wat sunrise is all about.

The temple represents the spatial universe. The central tower is Mt. Meru with surrounding smaller peaks. The lower courtyards represent the continents and the moat represents the oceans.  On both sides of each Causeway leading to the main temple structure is a seven-headed naga or a snake figure being pulled by gods and demons in a tug-of-war. This represents the bridge for man to reach the abode of the gods.