23-Sep-07
David Bowden
The Brunei Times
ANGKOR WAT, THAILAND
CAMBODIA is an intriguing country and one that's now very accessible to many travellers with its open sky policy. The jewel in the country's tourism crown is Angkor Wat - the world's largest religious site.
Visitors to the region soon learn there is more to greater Angkor than Angkor Wat as there are some 1,000 religious sites scattered over 310km sq in northern Cambodia near the township of Siem Reap.
The first temples date back to the late ninth century with the last being completed in the 12th century. Angkor and the Khmer culture were then the most influential in South East Asia but declined for reasons that are still not very clear to archaeologists. The jungles grew back and covered many of the temples for centuries.
Although the Khmer people still visited the temples they were "rediscovered" in the 19th century by Frenchman Henri Mouhot and are now considered one of the world's great archaeological sites. The United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) recognises Angkor as a World Heritage Site, preserved for all the people of the world to enjoy.
The recent opening of the Phokeethra Country Club Angkor Wat means that sporting temple-goers now have the opportunity to play a round or two of golf near the temples of Angkor.
The new golf and country club (Tel: +855 63 964 600, www.accorhotels-asia.com) is located just 30-minutes drive from downtown Siem Reap. The 7,145 metre long, paspalum-grassed course sculpted by Bangkok-based "Designer Golf" is providing a new and challenging golfing experience.
This par 72, 18-hole course near Pock Village covers 155 hectares of former padi fields and includes a clubhouse which includes locker rooms and a restaurant. Few courses in the world can claim ancient ruins as fairway obstacles as archaeologists unearthed a 10th century laterite bridge here during the construction of the golf course. The bridge was once located on the road linking Cambodia to present-day Thailand and it's now possible to drive down it with an iron rather than a vehicle.
There are some challenging bunkers on the course and many holes are well-guarded. Some local knowledge is beneficial and the helpful caddies are there to offer advice and a shaded umbrella when necessary.
Lily-lined streams and ponds can be found around the scenic course and the par 4, 14th hole is the most visually striking. It's also the most daring and, bold golfers who want to reach the green in one shot over the water need pin-point accuracy. Most golfers will play safely and aim to the right to make par or even a birdie. The signature, double-water carry, 18th hole features a pin located on a spectacular island green.
Guests staying at the Sofitel Royal Angkor Golf & Spa Resort receive additional benefits such as priority bookings and free transfers to and from the course. A round of golf costs around US$120 ($180) but special packages covering golf, room and some meals are available.
Dedicated temple-goers can spend days exploring Angkor but others can appreciate the main temples in one or two days. There are organised tours or enthusiastic guides and drivers can be hired to travel around the temples for around US$25 per day.
The highlights of most temples are the bas-relief or engravings on the sandstone walls. These intricate engravings include those of celestial dancers or apsaras. The apsaras line several temple walls but none are as spectacular as those on the walls of Angkor Wat itself. Very few are the same so there are thousands of dancers to be seen throughout the temples.
Ta Prohm Temple has been preserved with entwining roots of huge trees enveloping the stonework. The temple was intentionally left by archaeologists to show visitors what much of Angkor looked like in the 19th century when it was "rediscovered". This is the one that fascinated Angelina Jolie in the movie Lara Croft Tomb Raider.
Siem Reap is now a very trendy town that attracts the hip and cool. Many international hotel chains have established here and there are some smart cafés and restaurants.
Red Piano is a landmark corner restaurant in an old colonial house and its dominant red and green lights are a little hard to miss. Dine upstairs or alfresco on the pavement and note the many images of Angelina Jolie dining here.
The Foreign Correspondence Club offers a great open restaurant and some smart accommodation. For those who seeking designer hotels, the Arts Lounge in the Hotel de la Paix has one of the most innovative interiors with lounge beds and ever-changing coloured lights around the counter.
Raffles Lounge is as plush as the name suggests and is frequented by the rich and famous, wannabes and writers. Visitors from Asean don't require a visa to enter Cambodia.
Visitors to the region soon learn there is more to greater Angkor than Angkor Wat as there are some 1,000 religious sites scattered over 310km sq in northern Cambodia near the township of Siem Reap.
The first temples date back to the late ninth century with the last being completed in the 12th century. Angkor and the Khmer culture were then the most influential in South East Asia but declined for reasons that are still not very clear to archaeologists. The jungles grew back and covered many of the temples for centuries.
Although the Khmer people still visited the temples they were "rediscovered" in the 19th century by Frenchman Henri Mouhot and are now considered one of the world's great archaeological sites. The United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) recognises Angkor as a World Heritage Site, preserved for all the people of the world to enjoy.
The recent opening of the Phokeethra Country Club Angkor Wat means that sporting temple-goers now have the opportunity to play a round or two of golf near the temples of Angkor.
The new golf and country club (Tel: +855 63 964 600, www.accorhotels-asia.com) is located just 30-minutes drive from downtown Siem Reap. The 7,145 metre long, paspalum-grassed course sculpted by Bangkok-based "Designer Golf" is providing a new and challenging golfing experience.
This par 72, 18-hole course near Pock Village covers 155 hectares of former padi fields and includes a clubhouse which includes locker rooms and a restaurant. Few courses in the world can claim ancient ruins as fairway obstacles as archaeologists unearthed a 10th century laterite bridge here during the construction of the golf course. The bridge was once located on the road linking Cambodia to present-day Thailand and it's now possible to drive down it with an iron rather than a vehicle.
There are some challenging bunkers on the course and many holes are well-guarded. Some local knowledge is beneficial and the helpful caddies are there to offer advice and a shaded umbrella when necessary.
Lily-lined streams and ponds can be found around the scenic course and the par 4, 14th hole is the most visually striking. It's also the most daring and, bold golfers who want to reach the green in one shot over the water need pin-point accuracy. Most golfers will play safely and aim to the right to make par or even a birdie. The signature, double-water carry, 18th hole features a pin located on a spectacular island green.
Guests staying at the Sofitel Royal Angkor Golf & Spa Resort receive additional benefits such as priority bookings and free transfers to and from the course. A round of golf costs around US$120 ($180) but special packages covering golf, room and some meals are available.
Dedicated temple-goers can spend days exploring Angkor but others can appreciate the main temples in one or two days. There are organised tours or enthusiastic guides and drivers can be hired to travel around the temples for around US$25 per day.
The highlights of most temples are the bas-relief or engravings on the sandstone walls. These intricate engravings include those of celestial dancers or apsaras. The apsaras line several temple walls but none are as spectacular as those on the walls of Angkor Wat itself. Very few are the same so there are thousands of dancers to be seen throughout the temples.
Ta Prohm Temple has been preserved with entwining roots of huge trees enveloping the stonework. The temple was intentionally left by archaeologists to show visitors what much of Angkor looked like in the 19th century when it was "rediscovered". This is the one that fascinated Angelina Jolie in the movie Lara Croft Tomb Raider.
Siem Reap is now a very trendy town that attracts the hip and cool. Many international hotel chains have established here and there are some smart cafés and restaurants.
Red Piano is a landmark corner restaurant in an old colonial house and its dominant red and green lights are a little hard to miss. Dine upstairs or alfresco on the pavement and note the many images of Angelina Jolie dining here.
The Foreign Correspondence Club offers a great open restaurant and some smart accommodation. For those who seeking designer hotels, the Arts Lounge in the Hotel de la Paix has one of the most innovative interiors with lounge beds and ever-changing coloured lights around the counter.
Raffles Lounge is as plush as the name suggests and is frequented by the rich and famous, wannabes and writers. Visitors from Asean don't require a visa to enter Cambodia.
2 comments:
PLs help Khmer races who had built
Angkor .
Today Khmer Races are oppressed by Yuon-Hanoi & its Puppet CPP.
Sokimex of Sok Kong sucks all the benefit from Khmer People,the ownwer of Cambodia & Angkor.
You all like to preserve Angkor why not its People,Khmer ?
and our head of goverment can not read?
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