Angkor Wat and A Short Stop in Siem Reap

I can remember distinctly the first time that I felt "I have to go travel in Asia." I remember it clearly because I had the thought as I was seeing Googled images of Angkor Wat in Cambodia, one of the world's most incredible archaeological parks, which is the biggest religious monument in the world and spans over 400 acres of land (162 hectares). The countdown began at that moment. I moved from USA to Thailand in November 2017 to teach English and during my very first break from classes, Christmas/New Years Break, I took a bus from Bangkok to Siem Reap to see the splendor of Angkor Wat. The bus was long and I will always remember the moment it arrived in Cambodia, switching from driving on the left side of the road in Thailand to the right side in Cambodia. I had a visa-on-arrival option for Cambodia, which came with an obligation to pay the immigration guard $3 of bribe money or else he would send you back to Thailand. My first experience with the Southeast Asian corruption with which I've become much more familiar over the years. My friend and I paid a tuktuk driver to take us all over the ruins complex for a 3-day pass and, believe me when I say, there was still A LOT of park left to explore by the time we were exhausted and ready for a new adventure. Sunrise on the temples was one of the most memorable moments in the park. Of course the Banyan trees growing on, over, under, and inside of the stone was incredible as well. If you get a chance to check out Angkor Wat in Siem Reap, absolutely do not miss it. Recommended: If you're feeling wild after a day of exploration, ask for a "happy pizza" in town... Just don't ask what's in it!