We spent most of our time in Siem Reap doing exactly what you’d imagine a theology grad and civil engineering nerd would: exploring temples!

The glowing highlight was Angkor Wat. Having learnt and read extensively about the largest religious building in the WORLD, it was something I always wanted to see.

And it definitely lived up to expectations. It was beautiful in a way that photos can’t capture, no matter how many your husband insists on taking! Bryson and I enjoyed wandering through and looking at the incredibly detailed carvings, structures, and admiring sheer scale of the place.

The whole temple complex is part of what used to be the thriving capital city (Angkor Thom) of the Khmer empire

Exploring the smaller temples around the old city was just as fun as the Angkor Wat.

One of my favourites was the temple covered in giant stone faces. Bryson and I spent ages weaving through the dark corridors, ducking into side tunnels, and then sprinting away from monkeys.

Another temple was literally consumed by the jungle with trees roots surrounding the buildings. Apparently it was used as the set of tomb raider but to Bryson’s chagrin I never saw the movie and didn’t get the references.

Our guide for the day happened to be our grab (uber equivalent) driver we got at the airport. He gave us such an interesting overview of Cambodian history on our way to the hotel that we decided to take him up on a offer of an Angkor Wat tour for the half the price the hotel was offering.

We also explored Siem Reap down visiting pub street, buying souvenirs in the old market and watching the water festival fireworks.

When we weren’t temple running or exploring Siem Reap town, we were in full relaxation mode. We swam, relaxed by the pool and ate lots of a great food. One night we indulged in a huge Unlimited’s barbeque offered by our hotel.

Overall Siem Reap and Angkor Wat were amazing. The religious building nerd inside of me was quite literally in heaven.