My best friend C, who never runs, suddenly said to me, "let's go to Angkor Wat for half a horse."! I almost didn't drop my chin. For me, who had already set my goal for the Nagoya Women's marathon in March next year, C's proposal didn't enter my eyes at all. Running a marathon in Cambodia? make fun of! Can the backward place organize the game well? Would it scorch to run in such a hot place? Unwilling, C sent me the half horse experience of Angkor Wat written by my predecessors. This unique experience of shuttling between the Millennium temples and running under the smile of Khmer finally moved me. If you think about it, isn't it good to regard half horse as a warm-up for the whole team next year and urge yourself to train? So he readily agreed to sign up. Since then, the topic of our conversation is no longer all kinds of gossip, but to share the experience of running every day. With a common goal, we are bursting with positive energy!

It is of great significance to complete the first half horse of life in the first trip with my best friend.

There is a direct flight from Beijing to Siem Reap by Air China. The arrangement of going late and returning late is very suitable for people who highly value their holidays. At the end of the year, it's exciting to visit the world-famous Angkor Wat by taking advantage of the weekend's busy work break. What's rare is that LG is willing to accompany me. At 11 p.m. local time, the plane landed in Siem Reap on time. December is the coldest season here. Although the temperature is still as high as 34-5 degrees during the day, it can drop to 27-8 degrees at night, which is quite comfortable. And because it is the dry season, there is no sticky hot and humid feeling. From the north, we have already changed our short sleeves on the plane and can't wait to embrace the summer.

Before I came here, I heard that the customs in Siem Reap had done a bad job of collecting tips from Chinese tourists. C, who arrived earlier than us, had already suffered a setback when he arrived in the morning. She also reminded us that we should try our best to choose the younger and more decent looking office workers. When LG and I entered the country, we chose a young office who didn't look so obscene. LG walked in front of the office, and after looking at his passport and entry form, he said "tip" in Chinese. LG pretended not to hear it and asked: pardon? Repeat "tips" in English. LG said firmly: no! Office is helpless. By the time I entered the country, the office probably knew that we were together, but it didn't embarrass me. In the face of demanding bribes, we should be bold to say no! Only when we all boycott, we will not let this evil act become arrogant.

Sitting in the Tuktuk car arranged by the hotel and walking in the night of Siem Reap, I remember that I was discussing my work in a conference room in the financial street of DIDU a few hours ago, but now I am in a small city in Southeast Asia. Suddenly I feel unreal.

Near zero, we took a Tuktuk and rushed to the hotel to have a rest.

I got up on Saturday morning and was in a good mood when I saw the sky was extremely blue. There are many hotels to choose from in Siem Reap, which can be said to be thrifty. Although the city of Siem Reap is relatively backward, as a tourist destination swarmed by tourists from all over the world, the hotel, catering and other facilities and services here are commendable. The boutique hotel we chose is very small, less than 10 rooms in total, but it is equipped with a swimming pool (which seems to be the standard of Southeast Asian hotels), and the breakfast of the hotel is simple and delicious. More than 300 yuan a night, including breakfast, also including pick-up, cost-effective. Compared with traveling to Europe, traveling to Southeast Asia is much easier to spend money on.

Outside the hotel is a dusty street, but inside the hotel is clean and tidy.

LG said that Cambodians show a kind of humility in dealing with people. Maybe he got the impression from the front desk of the hotel. When we arrived last night, our front desk staff were two young boys. They didn't seem to be very proficient in business, but they were respectful throughout the whole process, and even felt cautious for fear of offending the guests. However, if you know that Cambodia is one of the least developed countries in the world, there are still one third of the population struggling in poverty, living on only $1 a day; If you understand that Cambodia has experienced more than 20 years of war since the 1970s, and the nightmare has just awakened, it is difficult to heal the wounds in people's hearts, you can easily understand the "fear of life" shown by the people here.

I'm sorry I didn't bring my swimsuit.

Although I haven't really seen Siem Reap and contacted Angkor Wat, I have a good feeling for it. Before I came here, I had a cram study of Cambodian history. In other words, the name of "Cambodia" is unknown. Cambodia was called "Funan" in the Han Dynasty, "Zhenla" in the Sui Dynasty, "Jimi" in the Tang Dynasty, and "ganbozhi" in the Yuan Dynasty. After Ming Wanli, it became "Cambodia", which sounds like a place where bandits gather. Siem Reap is even more interesting. As we all know, Siam is the ancient name of Thailand. In 1431 A.D., the Thais invaded Khmer and plundered all the treasures and Golden Buddha temples in the palaces of the Zhenla Dynasty. Khmer was forced to move its capital to Phnom Penh. It is said that Siem Reap means "defeat Thailand". How directly Cambodians express their hatred for Thais.

This photo of leaning on the porch is reminiscent of lover

We were going to have breakfast at 6:30 and go out at 7:00 to be early   Bird, to visit the Bayon temple before the crowd. I didn't expect that the breakfast in the hotel was slow. We had to wait an hour to get on Tuktuk. There are three treasures to travel to Siem Reap in the dry season: shawl, long skirt and cornice hat. Shawl car can block ash, walking can be sunshade, in case to have air conditioning place can keep warm. I didn't take it with me this time. Fortunately, a hemp shawl with the color of salted vegetables was presented in the half horse's competition bag. I didn't care about the beauty, so I immediately used the modeling experience of Turkish travel to arm myself. Why a long skirt? On the one hand, the short skirt is rejected by many temples, on the other hand, the elegant long skirt really matches the temperament of Angkor Wat. Not to mention the eaves hat, in addition to shading can also concave shape. Just pay attention to the stability of Tuktuk. Otherwise, it will be blown away like mine

My x artifact was blown away by a gust of wind, thanks to the foreigners riding behind to help pick it up. From then on, I dare not be arrogant on Tuktuk.

Along the way, we had a light breeze and chatted happily. It wasn't long before we arrived at the gate of Angkor Wat scenic spot. Small circle, big circle and outer circle are the three regular routes for Angkor Wat, which usually takes about five days. This time we mainly come to take part in the half horse race, visiting places of interest, just playing soy sauce. In the end, I didn't go to Bakun mountain, Queen's palace and bengmili, but I was very satisfied to see Khmer's smile, visit the Tomb Raider site, tabron temple and Angkor Wat. Tickets for Angkor Wat are divided into 1-day tickets, 3-day tickets and 7-day tickets. The prices are US $20, US $40 and US $60 respectively. In addition to a few scenic spots such as bengmi column, it can basically cover the scenic spots with large and small outer rings.

We bought a 3-day ticket with photos printed on it.

After checking into Angkor Wat, we sat on the Tuktuk and began to pay attention to the race route tomorrow. Angkor Wat half marathon just around the "small circle" for a week, covering the Angkor Wat's elite attractions such as Angkor brother, temple, Bayon, Bayon... The facilities of the competition have been built up, and the number of kilometers is also marked on the ground. As the Tuktuk continues to move forward, I can't help but feel nervous when I see that the number of kilometers on the ground is increasing. My breathing also begins to imitate the "inhale exhale exhale" of running. God, how can it feel so far every kilometer!

Tuktuk drove to the entrance of the South Gate of Tongwang city and put us down. Due to the narrow entrance, vehicles had to queue to enter. We could walk down and take photos. I pointed to the archway of Tongwang city and told C that we would run through here tomorrow. And by the time I get here tomorrow, I've already run about 19 kilometers. Victory is in sight! Think of here, the mood immediately relaxed. Tongwang City, also known as great Angkor, is the capital of Angkor Dynasty, the most magnificent capital in Southeast Asia history, with a population of more than one million at its heyday. It was destroyed many times in the war, rebuilt several times, and finally abandoned in 1426.

Tongwang City

The stone carving "stirring milk sea" outside the South Gate of Tongwang city attracted our attention. In the west is the team of Shura (good God), and in the East is the team of Asura (evil god). They hugged the seven snake king's bodies and tried their best to "stir the milk sea"“ "Stirring the milk sea" is one of the most famous stories in Hindu epic, which is widely reflected in Angkor Wat architecture. The legendary immortal dew is hidden in the milk sea at the foot of Xumi mountain. The good God and the evil god reach an agreement to use Naga's body as a lever to stir the milk sea. After thousands of years of churning, the milk sea finally dried up and exposed the dew. Then the good God and the evil god fought for nectar in the century war. At this time, Vishnu, the great God, appeared and turned into a beautiful woman with the sea water, leading away the evil god. Then the good God was able to take away the immortal nectar. While the good gods were enjoying the nectar, an evil god, disguised as a good God, mixed in and drank the nectar. While the nectar was still in his mouth, he was discovered by the sun god and the moon god and reported the matter to Vishnu. Vishnu immediately shot Falun blood drops and cut off the head of the evil god. The body of the evil God died immediately, but the head that drank a mouthful of manna got eternal life. This head hates the sun and the moon to the bone, chasing the sun and the moon endlessly, occasionally swallowing them into the throat, but the throat is broken, so the sun and the moon will still come out. This is the origin of the solar and lunar eclipses in Cambodian mythology.

On the west side is the procession of Shura.

Tongwang City

On the east side is the team of Asuras.

Tongwang City

"Churning the sea of milk" produces 14 essences, shared by Vishnu, Shiva, Diva and God. In addition, there are three kinds of Goddess generated from the waves, and Lakshmi became Vishnu's eternal companion; The fairy Apsaras gave it to the gods; The wine goddess varuni (Sura) was reluctantly assigned to Asura“ The Apsara created by "stir the milk sea" appears in large numbers in the carvings of Angkor Wat. In Chinese culture, these fairies are the familiar flying apsaras.

Are these two the legendary Aspara?

Tongwang City

The outer wall of Tongwang city is surrounded by a moat 100 meters wide.

Tongwang City

Entering Tongwang City, I was first attracted by a big tree. This kind of towering, intertwined, sun blocking old tree has always been my cup of tea. I can't help but lift up my skirt and run to take a group photo. In Siem Reap, I'm afraid these old trees have the closest relationship with Angkor Wat. Angkor Wat, hidden deep in the tropical rain forest, was buried in the wilderness for more than 400 years after the collapse of Angkor Dynasty, and its existence has been forgotten all over the world. At this time, the attack of trees began, gradually nibbling and disintegrating the Millennium Monument. Angkor Wat was discovered in the middle and late 18th century. In 1860, French biologist Henry moo accidentally discovered the remains of this magnificent ancient temple in the virgin forest in search of new tropical animal specimens. In the past few hundred years, many temples have been entwined with ancient trees, forming a delicate and special relationship of destruction and symbiosis. This is particularly prominent in the tabulung monastery that we will visit later.

Tongwang City

Bayong temple is located in the center of Tongwang city. Even those who have never been to siem reap or bayong Temple must have heard of "Khmer's smile". This mysterious smile is hidden here. Different from what I originally imagined, the smiles of bayong temple are not so "grand". From a distance, you can only see the towering pagodas, which are old and mottled, with broken walls and ruins... And the smiles on all sides of the pagodas can only be seen when you walk into the temple.

From a distance, the towering stone towers are carved with "Khmer's smile".

Bayong Temple

The 49 pagodas in the bayong temple, together with 5 gate towers, have 216 well arranged smiles. These pagodas are different in height. They travel among many pagodas, and their generous smiling faces sometimes appear above you, sometimes behind you, and sometimes suddenly appear in front of you. These pitiful and speechless faces are always watching you, which makes people feel awed.

Bayon temple is the last national Temple of Angkor Dynasty and the only one   A Mahayana Buddhist temple. The Bayon monastery was built during the reign of one of Angkor's greatest monarchs, jayabama VII, who replaced Mahayana Buddhism with Hinduism. As a result, Buddhist elements such as lotus and Bodhisattva statues have become an important part of the architecture of bayong temple. Different from other temples, what people see here is no longer the endless struggle between the two forces in Hinduism, but the indifference, tranquility, tolerance and constancy in Buddhism.

We look up and revel in the "Khmer smile".

Bayong Temple

Each pagoda has a generous and compassionate face on all sides.

Bayong Temple

It is said that the smiling faces of every Buddha statue in the bayong temple are based on the prototype of jayabama VII. Although the authenticity remains to be studied, after seeing the statues of jayabama VII collected by Jimei Museum in Paris on the Internet, we found that their smiles are really similar. In the beauty of Angkor, Mr. Jiang Xun said that when he was studying in France, he often went to Jimei Museum and silently looked at the statue of jayabama VII. He was infected by his smile. When I saw this kind of smile, I also understood the feelings of Mr. Jiang Xun.

Each face is similar and different, the same is the mysterious and quiet smile.

Bayong Temple

This is the so-called "Khmer's smile", which is comparable to the Mona Lisa's smile and makes Angkor Wat famous in the world. It is said that everyone has a "Khmer's smile" that can move them most. Did you find it in it?

Eyelids slightly closed, as if insight into the heart; The corners of the mouth are light, as if they can contain everything;

Bayong Temple

Buddha is a typical Khmer face: square face, gentle eyebrows, wide nose, full lips.

Bayong Temple

The most gratifying thing is that when you walk through a porch, you suddenly find a smiling face outside the porch. Such a location is often surrounded by many tourists.

"Khmer's smile" also witnessed our friendship.

Bayong Temple

If I can, I think I will often come here in a daze.

Bayong Temple

The relief murals of bayong temple are second only to Angkor temple in scale. In addition to the mural themes commonly seen in Hindu temples such as battles and palaces, there are also many pictures of Khmer people's daily life, such as scenes of markets, fishing, festival celebrations and so on, which are very vivid. In addition, because the Khmer people at that time also believed in Hinduism, there were some Hindu sculptures in the temple. It can be seen that this monarch is more enlightened in religion.

A long wall full of reliefs surrounds the Bayon temple, on which the secular life scenes of Khmer people are carved.

Bayong Temple

It's said that if you don't learn some basic knowledge of Hinduism before you come to Angkor Wat, you can't understand the numerous murals in the temple, and you can only watch the excitement when you come. In order to avoid becoming a tourist, I specially read the beauty of Angkor by Jiang Xun, watched the same series of videos, and looked up some information on the Internet. For example, I have learned to recognize Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, and I am also curious about the plump fairy Aspara... My LG is funny. Since I learned about Linga, I went to every temple to find its trace

Linga... Where are you? I want to worship you.

Bayong Temple

One of the important missions of girls' travel is to take photos. These ruins of Angkor Wat are the best setting, and they are absolutely the holy land for photography. You can be very artistic in any corner where there is no one.

Although there is an endless stream of tourists to bayong temple, it is not difficult to find a quiet corner.

Bayong Temple

We often meet local children in Angkor Wat. It is said that most of them come from poor farmers nearby, and most of them drop out of school because of poverty. They sell various small commodities to tourists in various scenic spots of Angkor Wat to make money, and some beg directly from tourists. This little girl is what we met in bayong temple. Her obstinacy and willfulness attracted my eyes. Instead of selling goods or begging to tourists, she sat on the porch and enjoyed herself. She didn't cooperate with or resist your demand for taking photos. She was very personalized.

Barefoot, dark and pure eyed children are the most common local people in Angkor Wat.

Bayong Temple

It's almost noon when I come out of bayong temple. After being roasted by the sun for nearly 2 hours, we felt seriously dehydrated and couldn't wait to run out for water. Coconut is the best natural drink here, but it seems not as sweet as I drink in Thailand.

It's not sweet, but it's really thirst quenching.

Image platform

It's also where we'll run tomorrow. I'm really not interested in visiting carefully in the hot sun. The scene of jayabama VIII selecting the mount, inspecting the army and meeting the envoys of various countries at the elephant platform is recorded in the records of Zhenla Fengtu written by Zhou Daguan, the envoys of the Yuan Dynasty (the history of Cambodia is mostly written on the leaves, which has long been lost)《 Zhenla Fengtu Ji is a precious material for the study of Cambodian history all over the world.

Out of the bayong Temple continue to go north, not far away to the Douxiang platform.

Image platform

Today's Douxiang platform is full of weeds, but the fine stone carvings still let us clearly see the vivid Hindu beast.

Image platform

It happened that a bicycle race was held at Angkor Wat that day. Why didn't I know the news!! It turns out that this is a charity bike race that has been held for 10 years, called bike4kids. The competition is open to all ages and is divided into four gears: 17 km, 30 km and 100 km. Participants only need to register and donate to Cambodian charities dedicated to protecting children and preventing human trafficking. The vehicles for the competition can be rented from the partners who organize the activities and will be delivered to the scene on the day of the competition. All in all, it is a happy and leisure charity competition. Interested students can pay attention to bike4kids.org and take part in cycling and running together next time. If you think it's not enough, you can jump into the moat and swim again. Isn't it a good "tiesan"?

The bike4kids charity bike race also looks like a good event.

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Of course, even if you don't take part in the race, you can rent a bicycle in Siem Reap. Riding in Siem Reap is a good choice. Many foreigners like this way.

It's a beautiful picture. I'm looking forward to riding Angkor Wat when I come back to Siem Reap.

Image platform

In the hot midday sun, we just want to get on the Tuktuk. I made an appointment with the driver to get on the bus near dianwangtai, but I couldn't find the driver in a pile of Tuktuk cars. Just when we three were listless by the sun, we were finally found by the driver, driving the car towards us. It is estimated that he has been looking forward to our appearance for a long time. I have to praise his good eyesight. At the beginning, every time we came out after visiting a scenic spot and looked around in confusion, he saw us first. Our drivers are simple and shy like local people. Although they can only speak limited English, they treat people sincerely. They prepared free iced mineral water for us on the road and always happily accepted the price we paid.

The reason why we arranged to visit the temple at noon is that the whole temple is surrounded by huge trees, so we don't have to worry about the sun any more! Of course, the reason why the tabron temple was included in the "must go" of my trip is that "it mainly depends on temperament". Tabulung temple is a temple built by jayabama VII for his mother in the middle of the 12th century. Corresponding to tabulung temple is Shengjian temple, which was built by jayabama VII in memory of his father. The biggest difference between the temple and other temples at Angkor Wat is that the ancient trees of heaven are intertwined with the temple. The developed and strong roots of trees are intertwined with the pagodas and walls like a python. This is a kind of beauty of fighting between nature and civilization.

It's a good choice to arrive at the temple at noon.

Ta Prohm

Although my teammates were tired, I was excited when I walked into the temple. I don't like tabron Temple because of Tomb Raider, although tabron temple is famous for this film and attracts a large number of tourists. I like the temple because there are many big trees. What's more, the ancient trees here are different from other places. Their roots are not generally developed. Their trunks are tall and straight, towering like the sky, and the green leaves on their branches show vitality. Look up and see life.

People who know me well know that I have a special preference for big trees.

Ta Prohm

The Cambodian government alone can not protect and repair Angkor heritage. In 1992, UNESCO listed Angkor Wat as an endangered world cultural heritage site. Since then, many countries, including China, have participated in the restoration of Angkor Wat. It is India that is responsible for the restoration of the temple. I don't know if it's because the Indians are trying to save trouble, or if the restoration of the temple is too difficult, if the big trees are removed, the temple will collapse... In the end, it basically retains the appearance of the temple when it was found. Therefore, we have a chance to see the magical scene of the temple when it was discovered.

In front of these ancient trees, human beings are becoming smaller and smaller.

Ta Prohm

The female style of the temple is prominent. It is said that the Angkor monarch had an unwritten habit that if a temple was built for a family member, the family member would be regarded as the incarnation of the god worshipped in the temple. Here is dedicated to the "goddess of wisdom", her appearance should be designed according to the king's mother.

Is there no sense of disobedience in tree roots, temples and Buddha statues?

Ta Prohm

Ta Prohm

Any corner of the temple, whether it's the walls firmly held by ancient trees or the ruins covered with moss, seems to explain how nature erodes and melts human civilization. The moss here is very different from the moss I have seen in temples in Kyoto. The moss in Kyoto is like an exquisite carpet in a Japanese courtyard, which is gentle, implicit, low-key and luxurious; The moss of tabron temple is another kind of wild beauty, just like the trace of barbarians.

Where the roots of ancient trees can't be touched, nature is occupied by moss.

Ta Prohm

Is manglin the mystery of the temple, or is the temple the beauty of manglin? Is the temple engulfed by the big tree, or does the big tree bring endless vitality to the temple? Maybe this is a kind of predestined dependence. The place where a large number of tourists line up to take photos is the classic scene of Tomb Raider. Here, once dancing "Tomb Raider" Laura vigorous figure.

It is said that this is the scene of Tomb Raider.

Ta Prohm

Bless us to finish the race tomorrow~

Ta Prohm

Angkor Wat has been separated from civilization for several centuries, and finally awakened by modern civilization. Some people say that in the tabron temple, "the tree and the tower are two wrestlers who hold each other, but this competition is not in minutes, but in centuries." This description is very appropriate.

The roots of the banyan tree are like the powerful tentacles of the squid, wrestling with the walls of the temple.

Ta Prohm

Hundreds of years ago, maybe it was a pile of bird droppings that brought the tree species to the wall. The abundant sunshine and rain make the seeds take root, germinate and grow into towering trees. However, the impregnable wall was about to collapse. Is this the reincarnation of the world?

Ta Prohm

There are two basic elements in Khmer temple architecture: the multi-storey square altar of the three-dimensional temple mountain and the cloister of the peaceful temple. The temple of tabulung temple is seriously damaged. The multi-storey square pagoda is not obvious, but part of the cloisters are still well preserved. Although the cloister here is not as beautiful as the murals of bayong temple, you can hear the echo of history when you stroll through it. And even if the sun is high outside, I still feel cool in the corridor.

We will eventually travel hand in hand

Ta Prohm

After visiting tabron temple, I planned to continue to visit Angkor temple, and then go to Bakun mountain to see the sunset. However, both team-mates proposed to keep some leg strength to run the marathon tomorrow. In addition, the sun at this time is so poisonous that people lack the courage to walk the long approach road in front of Angkor temple without any shelter. So we changed our plan and planned to go back to the city for lunch, take a nap, and come out for a walk at 4 or 5 o'clock. Lunch was in the Khmer kitchen, which C had stepped on yesterday. It's not expensive, especially mango   shake。 If we eat in this restaurant these days, doesn't it seem that we are not creative?

Khmer kitchen products are good.

Ta Prohm

At the beginning of December, the sunset time in Siem Reap is around 5:30 p.m. At 4:00 p.m., we are going to go out for a walk to feel the city. The Siem Reap river divides the city center into two parts from north to south. Due to the dry season, the river is slightly short of water. The lawns on both sides of the river seem to have no one to repair, which seems a little casual, and few people rest and play in the lawns. Compared with the road where motorcycles and Tuktuk cars run about outside the pedestrian road, it seems very quiet here.

The Bank of the Siem Reap river is a place for local people to relax.

Ta Prohm

As Siem Reap is already a very mature tourist city, it costs US dollars here, and most tourists come to see it. There are all kinds of high-end restaurants and stalls, and bars and night markets are more lively than those in China. It's certainly not real local life. Most of the Cambodian people we can contact are just people who provide services to us, such as drivers, hotel attendants, restaurant attendants, scenic spot staff and so on. Walking in the streets of Siem Reap, you can finally get a glimpse of the daily life of the local people.

Although Cambodian people are not rich, they are happy.

Ta Prohm

There are often sour horns on the streets of Siem Reap.

Ta Prohm

Is this Vishnu?

Ta Prohm

The half horse at Angkor Wat seems to be a great event in Siem Reap. There are many banners on the streets. It turns out that this Centaur has a history of 20 years, and it is not the kind that has sprung up in recent years. Angkor Wat half marathon was held in the 1990s with the support of Japanese runners. Its purpose is to relieve the victims of war mines. It is a public marathon. It brings more courage and hope to Angkor people who come out of the smoke of gunpowder.   In previous competitions, many mine victims will participate. Therefore, Angkor Wat Centaur is not only a competition, but also a reflection on war.

With a history of 20 years, half horse at Angkor Wat is a local event.

Ta Prohm

During our walk, we met many people running by the river. It must be warming up for tomorrow's half horse. This makes us suddenly have a sense of urgency and start to stretch on the spot... For tomorrow's game, we are both looking forward to and nervous.

Suddenly a group of stretches came on the main road. I was also drunk.

Ta Prohm

Old   There are many restaurants in the market.

Ta Prohm

All kinds of fruits and shakes are my love.

Ta Prohm

Next to the old market is the bar street. This is the most prosperous and bustling place in Siem Reap, and also a gathering place for tourists from all over the world at night. The bar street is about 1 km long. It is a pedestrian street in the evening. There are restaurants and bars on both sides of the street. It is very busy. Tomorrow night, when we finish, we must have a drink to celebrate!

The bustling Siem Reap bar street is a good place for evening entertainment.

Ta Prohm

I didn't expect to meet hard in Siem Reap   Rock   Cafe。 In fact, there is no lack of one side that is in line with the international trend. For example, in the street a slightly crude shopping   In the mall, I saw rimova store

Pretend to be in Las Vegas

Ta Prohm

Considering that we have to get up early the next day and we haven't had a good time tonight, we are going back home. Go back to the hotel, pack up the game equipment and go to bed at 9:30. When I wake up at 12 o'clock, my brain starts to get excited. I force myself to close my eyes and go to sleep again. During that time, I have a lot of dreams about the game

Tomorrow, look at me!

Ta Prohm

At 3:40 in the morning, the alarm clock wakes me up. I brush my teeth, wash my face and change my clothes like a robot. And the most important thing is breakfast. It's hard to figure out what to eat this morning. In the end, the braising beaker worked. I put the rice into the cup before I went to bed last night, and this morning I made a big bowl of warm Mian silk porridge. Although the taste is not as good as the porridge I made at home, I'm still very happy to eat this in a foreign country with salted eggs, meat floss and rice cakes.

It's easy for us to leave at 4:30 a.m. to get to the match site.

In Siem Reap at the beginning of December, the temperature is about 23, 4 degrees to 33, 4 degrees, and the temperature difference between day and night is large. Before the sun comes out, the feeling is more pleasant. Before dawn, a large number of runners gathered from all over the world, mainly Westerners, but also a lot of Japanese. It is said that hundreds of runners from China came to compete. I'm very happy to be one of them.

A large number of runners had gathered before dawn.

Cut in: for this competition, I also deliberately solicited all kinds of Sponsorship: for example, I borrowed my sports watch from my beautiful colleagues (I am usually a blind runner); Looking for tiesandar to sponsor energy glue and salt pill; Peer C also brought me a big bag of Merlot... Thank you very much for your support!!

My sports watch is borrowed

We queued up to go to the bathroom and walked to the starting point of the game. At about five o'clock, the East was already bright. Angkor sunrise is a famous landscape. If I didn't take part in the competition today, maybe I would run to the pool of Angkor temple to watch the sunrise. In fact, the starting point of our running is at the gate of Angkor temple. Close but not close, can only sigh, the magnificent shock of the scene in their imagination.

The sun rises at Angkor Wat not far away. It must be very beautiful.

From dark till dawn.

It's close to 6 o'clock and the starting line is full of players. Although it is called Angkor Wat half marathon, it is actually divided into four groups. In addition to the ordinary half marathon, the conference also specially opened wheelchair half marathon, in addition to 10 km and 3 km projects.

It's really an international marathon!

It's more exciting to be here with runners all over the world.

We thought we would start at 6 o'clock on time. It turned out that there was also a speech session of leaders. According to reports, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, a controversial political figure who has been in power for 30 years, originally planned to attend today's starting ceremony. He also revealed that he would not only shoot himself, but also run for a while. However, Hun Sen was unable to attend today's competition because he went to meet King Sihamoni at Phnom Penh airport this morning. We missed the chance to see the true face of this political strongman who has been in the army for half his life. Instead, song anlai, Vice Premier and Minister of Cabinet Affairs, attended today's ceremony. Song an shot again and took the lead in running in front of him.

The players are looking forward to the sound of the gun.

We're new runners, ready to go.

It's so hot. It's hard for you to dress like this.

Just as excited as the competitors are the local children. For them, today is like a festival. If the biggest difference between Angkor Wat half marathon and other marathons is not the historic sites, but the children who have been accompanying us along the way. They appeared in groups at the side of the track, enthusiastically extended their small hands and we high five refueling; They are astute in the supply point nearby, quickly collect the players throw away the plastic bottles. This marathon for foreigners, in addition to watching the fun, is more important to earn some pocket money. At a young age, they have to experience the hardships of life.

Along the way, there are always local children reaching out their little hands and clapping high fives with you.

More important than watching the fun is making money for the family.

Small shoulders have to support the burden of the family.

Cambodian children all have big black and white eyes. There is a kind of power in their pure eyes that can directly hit the softest part of your heart.

The monkeys came to the party.

The ordinary half horse is behind the wheelchair group and leaves at about 6:30. First, let's take a look at our competition line. It basically includes the essence of the "small circle" of Angkor Wat: after starting from brother Angkor and about 1/4 of the moat along the south, it continues to run south to 4 kilometers. Continue to run along the moat of Angkor temple in the 6-7km section; There is no special scenic spot in the 7-10km section, but there are many trees along the way, so it is not sunny; 10-13 km will pass by bantikade temple and tabron temple; The 13-15 km section will pass through Chajiao temple. The road condition is poor and there will be more vehicles on the road; After 16 kilometers, from Shengli gate to Tongwang City, there will be more and more historic sites; After about 18 kilometers passing through dianwangtai, douxiangtai and bayong temple, you will run under the smile of Khmer. This section of the road will be relatively dry, and there will be more loess on the road; When you run out of Tongwang city at about 19 km, you will pass between Shura and Asura in "stir milk sea". The last 2 kilometers is a straight road to victory, as you gradually approach the end, there will be more and more people cheering, let you forget the fatigue along the way.

The red one in the picture is the route of this centaur.

C and I have never run half a horse before the race. We usually train for 10 kilometers. As we have run as far as 15km, we have reason to believe that we are sure to finish the race on the same day. After all, the closing time is three hours. Even with confidence, the game was not easy. Although Siem Reap in December is the coldest season of the year, it still feels very hot when running. And although I repeatedly told myself to start slowly, due to lack of competition experience, I couldn't help being brought fast by other players at the beginning, so that I felt panting when I was 2 km away. In fact, the moat of Angkor temple is very beautiful in the soft light in the early morning, but I'm not interested in appreciating it when I'm counting the kilometers and trying to calm down.

On the way to the game, although there are trees in most places, it is still hard to cover the heat.

My heart is depressed during the 2-6km period. Usually I run effortlessly, but now I find it difficult. This section is a turn back route, so the runway is slightly crowded. A lot of people will specially run to the middle of the road and clap high fives with their returning runners. I just want to avoid it far away, not because of anything else, but because I obviously feel that the air is a little thin. At this time, the distance between C and me also widened. I ran in front of C about 2km, but I didn't pay much attention to whether she passed me. When I turned back 4km, I noticed the people on the opposite side all the way, but I didn't see C. I thought she might have run in front of me. I feel heavy when I'm 5km. I don't know whether I should blame my lack of training or the fast physical consumption in this hot day.

There is such an admirable player in the crowd.

I was afraid that I would be dehydrated in the case of sweating a lot, so I hardly missed any supply point. By the time I ran 6 kilometers, I had drunk water for the second time. Because the water bottle is relatively large, it will increase the burden to hold it all the way, so most of the players twist it open and take a drink and throw it into the nearby garbage can, or give it to the roadside children to collect bottles. It is suggested that the organizer provide mineral water in small bottles next time to avoid waste.

Volunteers at each supply point enthusiastically handed us mineral water with the cap loosened.

6-10km, slowly find your own rhythm. Back at the junction of us and the 3km group on the Bank of the moat of Angkor temple, we were envied to see them reach the destination so easily. I ran and suddenly saw a familiar figure in front of me: ah, C is in front of me! I followed up quickly. As I ran with her, I thought, is C too troublesome to take off her orange wristband? Running, suddenly found wrong, C wearing blue compression stockings, in front of the girl is wearing socks. Sorry, I've got the wrong person

The foreigner is too hot to go into battle naked.

Along the road of 10-13km, there are more and more scenic spots. Some players began to stop to take pictures. I didn't stop. I know what I'm doing. Once I stop, it's not so easy to get up and run again. I took a salt pill from my pocket and put it in my mouth. Although many people don't think it's necessary for a half horse to eat this, because of sweating a lot in the first half of the journey, they are still prepared to avoid salt loss and cramps. When I ran for 10 kilometers, it was almost 8 o'clock. There were more cars, Tuktuk cars and motorcycles. I could smell car exhaust from time to time on the road. The road condition itself is not very good, there are exposed yellow sand in some places, and the ground is relatively hard. I told myself to keep running 15 kilometers.

Cars, Tuktuk and motorcycles will also appear on the runway.

On the way there will be cramps and injuries. On the one hand, we do not pursue speed, as long as we finish the race before closing the door; On the other hand, pay attention to listen to your body's voice, don't force it. I have seen a report that the reason for the high accident rate of half marathon is that many "rookie" runners believe that half marathon is a full marathon, and the difficulty is also 50% off. A centaur can stick to it only by his own willpower. In fact, any sport pays attention to scientific training and reasonable physical distribution in the process of competition. This is especially true for marathons, so always remind yourself to do what you can and be responsible for your body.

On the way, there are many athletes in the medical center asking for treatment.

Because I drank too much water on the way, I was suffocating after 14 kilometers! no Stay! I saw that there was no toilet nearby, and I couldn't take care of so many when I was in a hurry. It was convenient for me to go directly into the nearby woods, and I was entangled by spider webs; Vaguely, I feel that the hiding position will be swept by Yu Guang of the runners... Alas, it's all kinds of embarrassment!

Running in the hot sun is a real test.

As the toilet changed the pace of running, the speed from 14km to 15km fell down again. After running 15 kilometers, I raised my hand to see that it had been 2 hours, and the speed was slower than that of usual practice in Beijing (who said the excitement of the race would run faster). But now I have 100% confidence that I can finish the match easily in 3 hours, so I don't have any pressure. After running 15 kilometers, I finally want to enter Tongwang city! The players in the competition are from victory   The gate enters Tongwang city. Volunteers on both sides of the gate applauded and encouraged the players who passed through the gate. Entering Tongwang city means victory is not far away.

After entering Tongwang City, there are more historic sites, but less shade.

Originally, he made an appointment with LG. After we set out, he met us at the 16 kilometer supply point from the terminal against the race line. I ran to 16 kilometers full of expectation, but I didn't see him. But I had to move on. All the food you eat in the morning is now digested. I quickly took out the energy glue, while eating, while looking for traces of LG. Finally, in the crowd to see him retrograde! It turned out that he encountered traffic control on the way from the terminal and had to make a detour, so the original 4 km road took more than 2 hours! Compared with him, it seems that I run very fast, ha ha.

People who concentrate on running don't care to enjoy the beautiful scenery around them.

After seeing LG, I began to be lazy and changed from running to fast walking. At this time, I found that there were many people around like me. When walking 18 kilometers, I saw the Douxiang platform I visited yesterday; In the distance, I saw the Khmer smile on the bayong temple, as if praying and blessing for us

After entering Tongwang City, I saw more and more people start to walk.

After meeting with LG, we can finally play happily. Of course, you can't be careless and pay attention to the change of the speed at any time, otherwise you will cry to death if you miss the closing time. From the South Gate of Tongwang City, about 19 kilometers away, I met the familiar statue "stirring milk sea". Today as a runner here, compared with yesterday as a tourist here, more joy, more excitement, more strong sense of achievement.

Don't be too happy. There are two kilometers ahead.

Is it cool to run in Angkor Wat, where the historic sites are right next to you?

In the last 2 kilometers, I felt relaxed, but I was lazy. To finish the game as the goal of me is still not slow. Until the last few hundred meters, in front of the cheering crowd in the corridor, in full view of the public, it was a bit humiliating not to sprint, so he pretended to run to the end. Sprint that moment, feel very happy. For the first time in my life, I did it!

This sprint seems to have no momentum.

At the end of the race, the players cut off the chips and returned them to the organizers for medals.

It's hard won to show that the medal is precious.

The beauty who loves running can't hide the joy of finishing the race.

If C hadn't dragged me to this competition, my first half horse medal would never have appeared in 2015. I don't even think I have the ability to finish. A lot of things are like this, try hard to try what you think is impossible, stimulate your potential, and then constantly improve yourself to a new level.

If you don't try and work hard, how do you know you can do it?

The first medal, for me, is very gold.

Take photos everywhere, that's what it's like.

I don't think the sprint is handsome enough, so I can "disguise" here.

LG and I are also looking for C everywhere. I haven't seen her since I ran away with her about 2km. After I came out of the woods, I firmly believed that she should be in front of me. C in order to reduce the burden, we didn't bring a mobile phone, so we were lost. At this moment, I especially want to celebrate the joy of victory with her! A few minutes later, LG finally found C! It turned out that she was sprinting behind me. We "meet again after a long time" and are very excited to share our feelings along the way. We all feel that the actual competition is more difficult than usual training. The main reason is that the heat of the weather leads to high energy consumption and lack of competition experience; We all feel that this competition is a great experience. Although the process is hard, the result is very satisfactory. It will become a good memory of our life. Looking back on the past two months since we signed up for the competition, we shared our running experience every day and "trained" together at the Pearl River side in Guangzhou. These efforts and sweat made today's medal. After hanging up the medal, we need to make up a sprint hand in hand!

After hanging up the medal, we sprinted again hand in hand.

We are the best partners.

I was worried at first that Cambodia would not be able to organize a marathon. In fact, it is not. After all, Angkor banma has 20 years of experience, so the overall organization of the event is satisfactory. For example, the temporary toilet here is very clean and can be flushed, and there is also a place to wash hands outside; For another example, the supply points here are densely distributed, with water, energy drinks and bananas for every 2 or 3 kilometers; Several medical rescue points can be seen on the way; There is no deposit for chips here; There are massage service and free self-service catering at the terminal... Overall, I feel better than that of Beima.

The buffet at the end is very tall. Snacks, fruits, drinks... Are free!

The volunteers of the competition provided services enthusiastically.

The first 50 players who arrive at the finish line can enjoy horse killing chicken free of charge.

We can only find a big tree silently and stretch by ourselves.

On the next day, the organizers of the competition released the photos and results of the competition on the Internet. The so-called high-definition photo is only over 700 K, but it costs nearly 35 US dollars. What a shame!

You have a firm eye, don't you?

Grades don't matter. It's finisher that matters.

Half a horse is less than three hours of persistence; Next year's Nagoya Women's all horse race is less than seven hours of persistence. As Feng Tang said, life is actually a marathon everywhere. Most of the time, the short ups and downs are not controlled by human power. It's the most correct attitude to be sincere and do what you think you should do.

After the run, we went back to the hotel for breakfast (the hotel kept it for us until 11 o'clock), brunch to be exact. Then take a big sleep, check out at 2 p.m., and there is plenty of time to spend in Siem Reap before the 12 p.m. plane. We are going to visit Angkor temple first. Foot strength is OK, hee hee, it seems that the strength of the competition in the morning has been reserved.

Monks outside Angkor temple.

Angkor temple

Brother Angkor is the most important part of Angkor brother, so it is a major event in our trip to Siem Reap. Angkor temple has a broad moat as its outer boundary, with a total area of nearly 200 hectares including the outer boundary, forming a rectangle with a width of 1.5 km from east to west and a length of 1.3 km from north to south. Angkor temple was built as a miniature of Hindu Cosmology: the moat represents the mythical ocean, and the three concentric corridors represent the continuous mountains around Mount Sumi, where the gods live; Pagodas represent mountains.

It's easy to see who to imitate.

Angkor temple

Unlike most other temples in Angkor, which face the East and face the sunrise, the main gate of Angkor temple faces the West and faces the sunset. According to the funeral custom in India, the cemeteries all face west, while the sacrificial temples face east. So there is speculation that Angkor temple is the mausoleum of suyabamo II. Angkor temple, known as one of the four wonders of the East, appears on the Cambodian flag, which is enough to see Angkor's status in the eyes of the Cambodian people.

Walking on the long approach road of Angkor temple in the afternoon, it's so hot!

Angkor temple

Angkor temple is divided into three levels of cloisters. On the first level, there is the longest "relief cloister" in the world, which runs counter clockwise for 800 meters. It mainly depicts the scenes of the ancient Indian narrative poems "Moco bharata" and "Ramayana". To understand these murals, you need to do your homework before you leave. For lazy people like me, you can take a look at the beauty of Angkor by Mr. Jiang Xun (there are books and videos online); Take another book of May blooming with you (borrowed by my colleagues).

Angkor temple

Monks are looking at the classic story "stirring the milk sea" in the Indian epic "Ramayana".

Angkor temple

In addition to the large-scale epic reliefs, there are also many graceful reliefs of Aspara fairies on the walls of Angkor temple.

Angkor temple

Angkor temple's mysterious and distant but not gloomy atmosphere, dark gray tone and thick stone texture are very suitable for people's photos. But it was so hot that we were tired of posing.

Rest in the name of taking pictures.

Angkor temple

After running half a horse, the sitting posture was obviously increased when taking photos.

Angkor temple

The first floor corridor of Angkor temple is divided into inner and outer floors. This design can ensure sufficient light and avoid the sun and rain. Even in the hot afternoon, walking in the inner corridor still feel cool, you can enjoy the murals at ease.

The inner corridor is comfortable and cool

Angkor temple

The outer corridor is sheltered from the wind and rain

Angkor temple

In addition to the two-story cloister, there is an open platform. As we walk here, it seems that time goes back to the early years of the Republic of China.

Angkor temple