morning, I wake up at 4:43am, camera, sketchbook, water, Khmer pass, shoes, check check check. I head downstairs for a 455 tuk tuk ride up to Angkor wat. Download monday morning quarterback in the lobby to read on my phone on the drive up. As we cruise through the checkpoint station I realize alot of people head up to the temple for this sunrise.
Upon arrival it becomes painfully obvious that this is a paparazzi event and angkor wat is the celebrity. I move past the couple hundred people just at the main guard gate, some waiting for the early morning shot, others just snapping away because that is what tourists do and I move closer to the actual complex.
Another heard of photogs at the refection pond waiting for the two for one shot. I say screw it and try to make it into the wat and around to the back before the sun actually rises.
upon arrival in the lower courtyard it is beautiful empty, free of the paparazzi and people in general. As I stand gawking at the architecture one of the security guards approaches me and asks "you want to go up?" into the highest tower. We negotiate an appropriate bribe And then hop the fence and run up the stairs to the central tower.
we get up to the top level and he gives me a hushed guided tour, the top level is in process of being restored and is gorgeous, with a different god looking out north south east and west. We can see all the people down at the reflecting pool clamoring for shot position and it Feels cool to be up in the restoration area getting a private tour of the central tower.
it's 654 and I'm off to get some breakfast. Meet a Norwegian girl named turiel at breakfast who reccomendation surrin island in Thailand. Enjoy the day everyone
great story! have fun xo
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