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Contact details: Siem Reap Driver Mobile Int:(855)-12-941-715 Local: 012-941-715/011-222-421 Email: siemreapdriver@gmail.com |
Rates and Tours
A whole day tour around Angkor Wat will only cost $25 inclusive of a car and gasoline.
If you would like to check out faraway temples like
Banteay Srey (37Km), Phnom Kulen (50Km), Kbal Spean (49Km) or Beng Melea (65Km) charges is additional. Contact me
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1 day Tour:
1 Day Tour: Start at 8:00am.
=>Angkor Thom=>Chausay Tevoda=>Thommanon=>Ta Keo=>Ta Prohm=>Banteay Kdei=>Angkor Wat=>Sunset at Phnom Backeng
The price is $25 Contact me
Ta Phrom temple -
Photo's of Ta Prohm
Ta Prohm is undoubtedly the most atmospheric ruin at Angkor and should be high on the hit list of very visitor. Its appeal lies in the face that, unlike the other monument of Angkor, it has been left to be swallowed by the jungle, and look very much the most of the monuments of Angkor appeared when European explorers first stumbled upon them. Well, that's the theory, but in fact the jungle is pegged back and only the largest trees are left in place, making it manicured rather than raw like Beng Mealea. Still, a visit to Ta Prohm is a unique, other_ world experience. The temple is cloaked in dappled shadow, its crumbling towers and walls locked in the slow muscular embrace of vast root systems. If Angkor Wat, the Bayoun and other temples are testimony to the genius of the ancient Khmers, Ta Prohm reminds us equally of the awesome fecundity and power of the jungle, there is a poetic cycle to this venerable ruin, with human's first conquering nature to rapidly create, and nature once again conquering humans to slowly destroy. Built from 1186 and originally known as Rayavihara (Monastery of the king), Ta Prohm was Buddhist temple in the Angkor region where an inscription provides information about the temple's dependents and inhabitants. The numbers quoted really are staggering, although possibly include an element of exaggeration to glorify the king. close to 80,000 people were required to maintain or attend at the temple, among them more than 2700 officials and 615 dancers, Ta Prohm is a temple of towers, close courtyards and narrow corridors. Many of the corridors are impassible, clogged with jumbles piles of delicately carved stone blocks dislodged by the roots of long decayed trees Bas-reliefs on bulging walls are carpeted by lichen, moss and creeping plants, and shrubs sprout from the roofs of ornamental porches, trees, hundreds of years old some supported by flying buttresses_ tower overhead, their leaves filtering the sunlight and casting a greenish pall over the whole scene. 
The most popular of the many strangulating root formations is that on the inside of the easternmost gopura (entrance pavilion) of the central enclosure. However, there are several other astounding growths including the famous Tomb Raider tree where Angelina Jolie picked a jasmine flower before falling through the earth into Pinewood Studios. It used to be possible to climb onto the damaged galleries, but this is now prohibited to protect both the temple and visitor. Many of these precariously balanced stones weigh a ton or more and would do some serious damage if they came down. Because there's such a maze of rubble and vegetation, there are predictably some children who manage to duck the security and want to guide you through the temple. Some readers don't like this idea, some do. Either way, the fact of the matter is that these are mostly poor kids from poor families looking for the chance to make some money. it is easy to say that it is somehow wrong and that they should be at school or doing a traditional job, but some westerner have never experienced poverty in a Cambodia sense, and the desperation it breeds. some of the kid will certainly make more money than they are parents ever kid, struggling in the rice fields. if you don't want them to follow you around politely tell them so, but try not to be rude or aggressive, as they are only young. if you want help to fine some photo spots and the like, try and agree on a price in advance. Throwing around dollar bills is not much a good idea, as it breeds expectancy and contempt.
Special 1 Day Tour:
Visit only the most important temples.
Start at 5:00am, sunrise at Angkor Wat =>Banteay Srey (37km)=>Ta Prohm==>Preah Khan=>Angkor Tom=>Angkor Wat=>
Sunset Phnom Backeng
The price is $45 Contact me
Banteay Srey temple - Photo's of Banteay Srey:
Banteay Srei is considered by many to be the jewel in the crown of Angkorian art. A Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva, it is cut from stone of a pinkish hue and includes some of the finest stone carving seen anywhere on the planet. It is one of the smallest sites at Angkor, but what it lacks in size it makes up from in stature. It is wonderfully well preserved and many of its carvings are three dimensional. Banteay Srei means "Citadel of the Women" and it is said that it must have been built by a woman, as the elaborate carvings are too fine for the hand of a man. Construction on Banteay Srei began in 967 and it is one of the few temples around Angkor not to be commissioned by a king, but by a Brahman who may have been tutor to Jayavarman V. the temple is square and has entrances at the east and west, the east approached by a causeway. Of interest are the lavishly decorated libraries and the tree central towers, which are decorated with male and female divinities and beautiful filigree relief work. Classic carvings at Banteay Srei include women with lotus flower in hand and traditional skirts clearly visible, as well as breathtaking re-creations of scenes from the epic Ramayana adorning the library pediments ( carved inlays above a lintel ) However, the sum of the parts is no greater than the whole_ almost every inch of these interior buildings is covered in decoration. Standing watch over such prefect creations are the mythical guardians, all of which are copies of originals stored in the National Museum (p81). Banteay Srei was the first major temple restoration undertaken by the EFEO in 1930 using the anastylosis method. The project, as evidenced today, was a major success and soon led to other larger projects such as the restoration of Bayoun. However, it was not the first time the temple has hit the headlines, because in 1923 Frenchman Andre' Malraux was arrested in Phnom Penh for attempting to steal several of the site's major statures and pieces of sculpture. Ironically, Malraux was later appointed minister of culture under Charles de Gaulle. 
When Banteay Srei was finish rediscovered, it was assumed to be from the 13th or 14th centuries, as the refined carving must have came at the end of Angkor period. It was later dated to 967, from inscriptions found at the site. However, some scholars are once again calling for a revision of this date, given that the style of this temple and its carvings are unlike anything else seen in the 10th century, New theories suggest that like the great cathedrals of Europe, some Angkorian temples may have been destroyed and then rebuilt, or altered beyond recognition, and that the inscription stele at Banteay Srei relates to an earlier structure on the site, not the delicate flower of a temple we see today. Banteay Srei is 37Km northeast of Siem Reap. it is well signposted and the road is good all the way the trip from Siem Reap should take about one hour depended on how you get there the driver will ask for a bit more money to came out there so agree on a sum first, it was so busy on the morning but it is quiet on the afternoon but it so hot,
2 Day Tour:
1st day: Start at 8:00am.=>Angkor Thom=>Chau Say=>Tevoda=>Thommanon=>Ta Keo=>Ta Prohm=>Banteay Kdei=>Angkor Wat=>Sunset at Phnom Backeng
2nd day: Sunrise at Angkor Wat=>Banteay Srey=>Banteay Samre=>Pre Rup=>East Mebon=>Ta som=>Neak Pean=>Prash Khan
The price is $65. Contact me
Phnom Backeng -
Photo's of Phnom Bakheng:
Around 400m south of Angkor Thom, the main attraction of Phnom Bakheng is the sunset view of Angkor Wat. Unfortunately, and inevitably, the whole affair has turned into something of a circus, with crowds of tourists gasping up the steep slope of the hill and jockeying for space once on top. Coming down can be even worse as there is nothing at all in the way of lighting. still, the sunset over the Tonle Sap lake is very impressive from the hill. To get a decent picture of Angkor Wat in the warm glow of the late afternoon sun you will need at least a 300mm lens, as the temple is 1.3Km away.
Phnom Bakheng is all so home to the first of the temple_mouintains built in the vicinity of Angkor. Yasovarman I (r 889_910) chose Phnom Bakheng over the Roluos area, where the earlier capital had been located.
The temple mountain has five tiers, with seven levels ( including the base and the summit ). At the base are _or were _ 44 towers. Each of the five tiers had 12 towers. The summit of the temple has four towers at the cardinal points of the compass as well as a central sanctuary. all of these numbers are of symbolic significance. while the total number of towers, excluding the Central Sanctuary, is 108,a particularly auspicious number and one that correlates to the lunar calendar.
it is now possible to arrange an elephant ride up the hill (U.S$ 15 one way per person ) and the location certainly makes for a memorable journey, if you are O.K the idea of elephants hauling themselves up the steep hill day after day. It is advisable to look in advance, as the rides are very popular with tour groups.
Special 2 Day Tour:
1st day: Start late at 10:00am. =>Floating Village Boeung Tonle Sap Lake Tonle Sap is the largest lake in South-East Asia!Entrance (including a boat trip) is $ 15/person, back to the =>War museum (if You like), ticketprice $ 3/person=> West Mebon at 4:30pm go to get the one day pass for the second day =>Sunset at Phnom Backeng, "this special two days tour is save more momey instead of buying the three days pass to buying the one day pass"
2nd day: Second day is the same as special 1day tour.
The price $60 Contact me
Angkor Wat Temple History -
Photo's of Angkor Wat
Two wonderful temples, as Banteay Srei and Ta Keo were built. The whole Angkor period spans for more than VI centuries, and more precisely from IX till XV century. During this period the Khmer empire reached its maximum splendor as one of the most powerful Southeast Asian kingdoms. In this period the whole area of Angkor was built. We can consider Jayavarman II as the man that started everything. He defines himself Devaraja (good king) and he established the Khmer empire in 802. After him, Indravarman, a king considered by many of its time an usurper: we prefer to remember him for starting building the Baray, a complex irrigation system to bring waters in the area of Angkor. He also started to build the Bakong and the Preah Ko temples. His son Yasovarman went further in his father's project: he built the Phnom Bakheng and the Lolei temples, and with him, Angkor become the new capital of the kingdom. These two king further extent the Baray's system too. Then the capital was moved to Koh Ker for a short period, under the kingdom of Jayavarman IV, a usurper, but after only 14 years Angkor become again the capital under Rajendravarman II. His son, Jayavarman V, was instead a great king, and with him the empire expanded to its maximum. After him, Udayaditavarman II built the pyramid of Baphuon and the western Mebon (we are now at the half of XI century), and here we are really close to the very peak of the Khmer civilization, two great king the left once forever their footstep in the history of this planet and they are Suryavarman II and Jayavarman II. The first king built Bang Melea but it also the one that built Angkor Wat. The second king has built Preach Khan, Ta Phrom and Angkor Thom. As you will see with your eyes these last temples are traces of a high level civilization, with an exquisite taste for art. An enormous job that involved an army of thousands workers doing the hard jobs of building, moving rock, and materials. There was another parallel army of thousands of artists and artisans. Angkor Wat is also them. We will never know their names, or their faces, but what they left us fulfills our hearts with something magic. The walls of Angkor, they also speak about their lives, their customs, and their salaries: Angkor was not only a religious place, but a capital crowded with a million people.
Angkor Wat Temples:
The great temples of Angkor Wat are situated in the province of Siem Reap. This area is considered the biggest temple complex of the world and revealed itself after being hidden in the Jungle for many years.
The whole area is about 400 km that also includes the surrounding forest, so you will need good shoes to make it around that area by feet. Never the less you can also visit the temple complex with a "Remarque" motorbike which is a small motorbike where you can sit side by side in two behind the driver. This is a great way to visit the area as it is very cheap and the driver can tell you much about the temples and history. Taxis are available too, as well as motor and bikes for rent. For those who love to see from the top, you can rent a hot air balloon, or even an helicopter. There are two ways to visit this area and still see the main attractions, the little circuit and the big circuit. The little circuit is 17 km and brings you to the main temples of Angkor. The big circuit takes 26 km and is an extension of the little one but continues on east side of the area. To visit Angkor you have to pay quite a high entry fee, you have choice of three different passes which you can buy at the entrance boot. A one-day pass cost US 20 dollar, a three-day pass cost US 40 dollar and a one-week pass cost US 60 dollar. Remember to have a photo with you if you desire to buy a pass for more than one day. There are more than a 100 temples in the whole area, more than you can see on your visit but the most famous ones you will discover during both circuits trough the temple area.
Angkor Wat:
This temple is 1, 5 km x 1,3km and built by Suryavarman and is considered the biggest Asian pyramid. It is 65m high and divided in several layers. The central part has on the four corners four towers in the shape of a lotus flower. This temple is the largest and most breathtaking temple of the whole complex. The most famous decorations of Angkor are the heavenly nymphs (Apsara), there are more of 300, each one is unique and in total we can group them in 30 different styles. The central temple complex is an 800 meters long bas-reliefs, includes the Battle of Kurukshetra, the Army of Suryavarman II, Heaven and Hell, Churning of the Ocean of Milk, Elephant Gate, Vishnu Conquers the Demons, Krishna and the demon King, Battle of the Gods and the Demons and the Battle of Lanka.
3 Day Tour:
1st day: Start at 8:30am.=>Angkor Tom=>Chau Say=>Tevoda=>Thommanon=>Ta Keo=>Ta Prohm=>Sunset at Phnom Backeng
2nd day: Start at 08:30 =>Prash Khan=>Neak Poan=>Ta Som=>East Mebon=>Pre Rup=>Banteay Kdei=>Angkor Wat
3rd day: Start at 05:00 am=>Sunrise at Angkor Wat=>Banteay Srey=>Banteay Samre=>Roluos Group=>Bakong=>Prash Kor=>Lolei
The price is $95 Contact me
Angkor Thom temple -
Photo's of Angkor Thom:
Angkor Thom was the last and most enduring capital city of the Khmer empire. It was established in the late twelfth century by king Jayavarman VII. It covers an area of 9 km, within which are located several monuments from earlier eras as well as those established by Jayavarman and his successors. At the centre of the city is Jayavarman's state temple, the Bayon, with the other major sites clustered around the Victory Square immediately to the north.
Angkor Thom was established as the capital of Jayavarman VII's empire, and was the centre of his massive building programme. One inscription found in the city refers to Jayavarman as the groom and the city as his bride. (Higham, 121) Khmer capital on the site, however. Yasodharrapura, dating from three centuries earlier, was centred slightly further northwest, and Angkor Thom overlapped parts of it. The most notable earlier temples within the city are the former state temple of Baphuon, and Phimeanqakas , which was incorporated into the Royal Palace. The Khmers did not draw any clear distinctions between Angkor Thom and Yashodharapura: even in the fourteenth century an inscription used the earlier name. (Higham 138) The name of Angkor Thom "great city" was in use from the 16th century. The last temple known to have been constructed in Angkor Thom was Mangalartha, which was dedicated in 1295. Thereafter the existing structures continued to be modified from time to time, but any new creations were in perishable materials and have not survived. In the following centuries Angkor Thom remained the capital of a kingdom in decline until it was abandoned some time prior to 1609, when an early western visitor wrote of an uninhabited city, "as fantastic as the Atlantis of Plato" which some thought to have been built by the Roman emperor Trajan. (Higham 140),
Bayon:
The Bayon is a well-known and richly decorated Khmer temple at Angkor in Cambodia. Built in the late 12th century or early 13th century as the official state temple of the Mahayana Buddhist King jayavarman VII, the Bayon stands at the centre of Jayavarman's capital, Angkor Thom. Following Jayavarman's death, it was modified and augmented by later Hindu and Theravada Buddhist kings in accordance with their own religious preferences. The Bayon's most distinctive feature is the multitude of serene and massive stone faces on the many towers which jut out from the upper terrace and cluster around its central peak The temple is known also for two impressive sets of Bas-relifs, which present an unusual combination of mythological, Historycal, and mundane scenes. The main current conservatory body, the JSA, has described the temple as "the most striking expression of the ' baroque' style" of Khmer architecture, as contrasted with the 'classical' style of Angkor Wat.
4 Day Tour:
1st day: Start at 7:30am.=>Beng Melea(75km)4:30pm get the pass for the next three days=>Sunset at Phnom Backeng
2nd day: 3rd day: 4th day: Are the same as the three days tour.
The price is $155 Contact me
Beng Melea -
Photo's of Beng Mealea:
Beng Mealea is a spectacular sight to behold. It's one of the most mysterious temples at Angkor, as nature has well and truly run riot here. Built to the same floorplan as Angkor Wat, exploring this titanic of temples is Angkor ultimate Indiana Jones experience. Built in the 12th century under Suryavarman 2 ( r1112-52). Beng Mealea is enclosed by a massive moat measuring 1.2km by 900m, much of which has dried up today.
The temple has been utterly subsumed by jungle, and standing just a few metres away from the trees it is hard to tell what lies beneath.Entering from the south, visitors wend their way over piles of masonry, through long dark chambers and between hanging vines to arrive at the central tower, which has completely collapsed. Hidden away among the rubble and foliage are several impressive carvings, as well as a well preserved library in the northeastern quadrant. The temple is a special place and it is worth taking the time to explore thoroughly. There is also now a large wooden walkway to the centre, constructed during the filming here of Jean-Jacques Annaud's Two Brothers(2004).
Beng Mealea is at the centre of an ancient Angkorian road connecting Angkor Thom and Preah Khan in Preah Vihear Province. A small Anhkorian bridge just west of Chau Srei Vibol temple is the only remaining trace of the old Angkorian road between Beng Mealea and Angkor Thom; between Beng Mealea and Preah khan there are at least 10 ridges a bandoned in the forest. This is a way for extreme adventures to get to Preah Khan temple ( p231); however , don't undertake this journey lightly.
It now costs US$5 to visit Beng Mealea and there are additional small charges for cars and motorcycles. Make sure you work out in advance who is paying this. It is best to undertake a long ay trip combining Beng Mealea, Kbal Spean and Banteay srei. At the very least include BanteaySrei, as you almost pass it a long the way.
Beng Mealea is about 40km east of Bayon (as the crow flies) and 6.5km southeast of Phnom Kulen. By road it is about 80km from siem Reap and is a two-hour trip.
There are two routes to Beng Mealea,but the shortest and fastest is currently via the small town of Dam Dek on NH6 towards Phnom Penh. Turn north immediately after the market and continue on this road for 25km. The main road bears left towards Phnom Kulan but take this road, go straight ahead.you will eventully come to a T-junction.
For the second, longer route,take the road towards Banteay Srei and follow the right fork to Phnom Kulen , continuing right at the major crossroads along the base of the holy mountain. Follow this route for about 35km until you leave Kulen behind and come to a T-junction.
This T-junction is where the two different routes meet. Veer left at this junction; it is another 10km or so northeast to the village of Beng Mealea and the temple is to the main intersection in town. The final 10km or so used to be a mess of miserable sand and mud, but there is now even some tarmac- this is another of these private roads and partly privatized temples, where profit takes precedence over preservation. It usually costs US$2.50 for a car, US$1for a motorbike, but that is each way, believe it or not!
5 Day Tour:
1st day: Start at 7:00am.=>Phnom Kulen (waterfall 50km)
2nd day: Start at 8:00am=> Beng Mealea (75km)4:30pm get the three days pass for the next three days=>Sunset at Phnom Backeng
3rd day: 4th day: 5th day: Are the same as the three days tours
The price is $215 Contact me
Phnom Kulen -
Photo's of Phnom Kulen:
Phnom Kulen is considered by Khmers to be the most sacred mountain in Cambodia and is a popular place of pilgrimage during weekends and festivals. It played a significant role in the history of the Khmer empire, as it was from here in 802 that Jayavarman 2 proclaimed independence from Java, giving birth to modern-day Cambodia. There is a small wat at the summit of the mountain , which houses a large Buddha carved into the sandstone boulder upon which it is built. Nearby is a large waterfall and above it are smaller bathing area and number of carvings in the riverbed, including numerous linga. The bad news is that a private businessman bulldozed a road up here in 1999 and now charges a US$20 toll per foreign visitor, an outrageous fee compared with what you get for your money at Angkor. None of the toll goes towards preserving the site. You can buy a cheaper ticket for US$12 from the city Angkor Hotel in Siem Reap, surprise, surprise, owned by same businessman!
The new road winds its way through some spectacular jungle scenery, emerging on the plateau after 20km ascent. The road eventually splits, the left fork leading to the picnic spot, waterfalls and ruins of a 9th century temple, the right fork continuing over a bridge and some riverbed carvings to the reclining Buddha. This the focal point of a pilgrimage here for Khmer people, so it is important to take off your shoes and any head covering before climbing the stairs to the sanctuary. The views from the 487m peak are tremendous, as you can see right across the forested plateau.
The waterfall is a an attractive spot, but could be much more beautiful were it not for all the litter left here by families picnicking at the weekend. Near the top of the waterfall is a jungle-clad temple known as Prasat Krau Romeas, dating from the 9th century.
There are plenty of other Angkorian sites on Phnom Kulen, including as many as 20 minor temples a round the plateau, the most important of which is Prasat Rong Chen, the first pyramid or temple-mountain to constructed in the Angkor area. Most impressive of all are the giant stone animals or guardians of the mountain, know as Sra Damrei ( Ele-phant Pond).These are very difficult to get to, with the route passing through mined sections of the mountain and the trail impossible in the wet season. The few people who make it, however, are rewarded with a life-size replica of a stone elephant. A full 4am long and 3m tall and smaller statues of lions, a frog and a cow. These were constructed on the southern face of the mountain and from here there are spectacular are views across the plains below below. Getting here requires taking a moto from Wat Pre Ang Thom for a bout 12km on very rough trails through thick forest before arriving at a sheer rock face. From here it is a lkm walk to the animals through the forest. Don't try to find it on your own; expect to pay the moto driver a bout US$6 ( with some hard negotiating) and carry plenty of water, as none is available.
Before the construction of the private road up Phnom Kulen, visitors had to scale the mountain and then walk a cross the the top of the plateau to the reclining Buddha. This route takes more than two hours and is still an option. About 15km east of the new road up kulen, the trail winds its way to a small pagoda called Wat Chou, set into the cliff face from which a tuk chou (spring) emerges. The water is considered holy and Khmers like to bottle it up to take home with them. This water source eventually flows into the Tonle Sap lake and is thought to bless the waterways of Cambodia.
Phnom Kulen mountain is a huge plateau around 50km from Siem Reap and about 15km from Banteay Srei. To get here on the new toll road, take the well-signposted right fork just before Banteay Srei village and follow this, going straight ahead at the crossroad. Just before the road start to climb the mountain, there is a barrier and it is here that the US$20 charge is levied.
To walk to the site, head east a long the base of the mountain at the major crossroads .After about 15km, there is a wat-style gate on the left and a sandy trail.Follow this to a small community from where the climb begins. It is about a 2km climb, including a new staircase up the final cliffs, and then an hour or more in a westerly direction a long the top the plateau. This route of the pilgrims of old should cost nothing if you arrive after midday, although it takes considerably longer.
Moto drivers are likely to want about US$15 to bring you out here, and rented cars will hit passengers with a surcharge, more than double the going rate for Angkor; forget coming by remorque as hill climb is just too tough.
Floating Village
For tour information please Contact me
Photo's of the Floating Village - The Cambodia great lake is Boung Tonlea Sap it is the biger lake in south east asia.
Chong Kneas
This famous floating village is now extremely popular with visitors wanting a break from the temple, and is an easy enough excursion for visitor wanting a break
from the temple it's simple to arrange yourself visitors arriving by fast boat get a preview,as the floating village is near
Phnom Krom,where the boat docks.It is very scenic in the warm light of the early morning or late afternoon and can be combined
with a view of the sun from the hilltop temple of Phnom Krom. The downside is that tour groups tend to take over,and boats and
up chugging up and down the channels in convoy, Part of the floating village. it has displays on flora and fauna of the area,as
well as information on communities living around the lake.The village moves depending on the season and you will need to rent
a boat to get around it property.a tourist police association has fixed boat price from $12 to $15 per person depending on
how many people you have on one boat?to visit the floating village,
Kompong Phhluk:
More memorable than Chong Kneas,but also much harder to reach,is the flooded forest of Koompong Phhluk,
alongside an other_worldly village built on stilts.The flooded forest is inundated every year when the lake rises
to take the Mekong's overflow,and as the lake drops the petrified trees are revealed.Exploring this area by wooden
dugout is very atmospheric.Further inland from the lake is the village of Kompong Phhluk itself, where most of the
houses are built on stilts of about 6m to 7m high,looking like it has come straight out of a film set.
Prek Toal:
Prek Toal is one of three biospheres on Tonle Sap lake, and the establishment of its bird sanctuary makes Prek Toal the most worthwhile and
straightforward to visit. it is an ornithologist's fantasy,with a significant number of rare breeds gathered in one small area,including
the huge lesser and greeter adjutant storks,the milky stork and the spot_billed pelican,
Visitors during the dry season ( December to May )will fine concentration of birds like something out of a Hitchcock film.As water
starts to dry up elsewhere know that the best time to see birds is early morning or late afternoon and this means a very early start or
an overnight at Prek Toal's environment office, where there are basic beds for $7.
Traditional Khmer Dance
Photo's of Traditional Khmer Dance
For tour information please Contact me
Traditional "Apsara" Dance Performances
The fine boned young princess, clad in silk and glittering jewels, performed beneath the stars on the open pavilion within the palace
walls, accompanied by the Royal dance troupe and the "pin peat" orchestra: Gongs, drums, xylophones, horns and stringed instruments.
Selected by her grandmother, Queen Sisowath Monivong Kossomak Neary Rath Vattana, to become a dancer when she was only a baby.
She toured the world as the "white Apsara" or principal dancer of the classical Cambodian ballet. A stunningly graceful, 2000 year old blend
of sinuous hand gestures and sinuous body movements, all deep with meaning. Responsible for its rebirth, she became the symbol of classical
Khmer dancing, dormant since the 15th Century, when the glory of Angkor faded and with it the Khmer cultural dominance of Southeast Asia.
In reviving the classical dance, Queen Kossomak and Princess Buppha Devi brought the dance not only to the world but also for the first
time to the Cambodian people. In the past, the classical dance was the Royal dance, performed only before Royalty to commemorate their
dynastic ancestors and to honor the gods.
History:
The origin of Khmer classical dance is debated. Many Khmers and even some French historians of Cambodian history, such as George Groslier,
believe(d) that the dance form is an unbroken tradition dating back to the Angkor period. Others have argued that Khmer classical dance, as
seen today, developed from, or was at least highly influenced by, Thai classical dance innovations from the 19th century. It should be noted
that Thai dance ultimately descended from Khmer dance of the Angkor period after Ayuthaya sacked Angkor and adopted it's traditions, however
the dance form then is thought to be different from today. Dance from the Angkor period is thought to have had much more of a religious purpose
than today, often being performed with ceremonies. (That, however, does not mean that Khmer classical dance today is not religious in any sense.)
The Angkorian dance involved large groups of dancers; there have descriptions of thousands of female dancers at Angkor. Angkorian dancers were
bare-breasted while the classical dancers of today wear costumes which more than cover their bosoms. Ancient Khmer dance started with Indian
influence and later may have received Javanese influence in which flourished for 600 years until the Khmer empire at Angkor was sacked in the
late 15th century. 
The dance tradition of the Khmers struggled to survive after many of its dancers were taken to Thai court of Ayutthaya.
During the post-Angkor era, the Khmer kingdom of Oudong became a vassal state to Siam where it derived many Thai cultural influences which
the Thais had melded with that of which they received from Angkor and from other cultures of the Southeast Asian realm. Not much is known
about Khmer classical dance during this period. In the 19th century, then King Ang Duong, who had spent many years of his life at the Thai
in Bangkok, restructured his royal court with Thai ingenuity. This restructuring also affected classical dance of the royal court (a symbol
of the king's wealth and power) whose costumes were remodeled after Thai classical dance costumes. Also during the 19th century, several
Thai dance troupes settled in Cambodia and some dancers even joined Cambodian dance troupes such as those belonging to mandarins (high
officicials) and prominent members of the royal family.In the early 20th, dancers of the court of King Sisowath (second son of King Ang
Duong to reign) were exihibited at the French Colonial Exposition in Marseilles where they captured the heart of French artist Auguste
Rodin who painted many watercolors of the dancers. Many writers had compared classical dancers to the bas-relief of apsarases which may
have lead to the strong affinity many people have for the two today. After World War II, Khmer classical dance underwent a renaissance
brought on by former Queen of Cambodia, Kossamak Nearireath, the mother of then Prince Sihanouk. Costumes had a new Khmeresque look,
which were more distinguishable from Thai classical dance costumes. Lyrics for the music of classical dances, which were previously
sung in Thai, were translated into Khmer. This once-again-reformed performing arts was then introduced to the Cambodian public where
it now remains a celebrated icon of Khmer culture often being performed during public events, holidays and for tourists in Cambodia.
The Royal Ballet of Cambodia often perform for guests of the state and toured many places abroad, including France and the USA.
This is a lie don't believe it Khmer classical dance suffered a huge blow during the Khmer Rouge regime during which many dancers
were killed because classical dance was thought as of an aristocratic institution. Although 90 percent of all Cambodian classical
artists perished between 1975 and 1979 after the fall of the Khmer Rouge, those who did survive wandered out from hiding, found one
another, and formed "colonies" in order to revive their sacred traditions. Khmer classical dance training was resurrected in the
refugee camps in eastern Thailand with the few surviving Khmer dancers. Many dances and dance dramas were also recreated at the
Royal University of Fine-Arts in Cambodia. The Royal Ballet of Cambodia was the main troupe of classical dancers in Cambodia before
the Khmer Rouge regime, but since Cambodia has gain it's peace, a few other professional and amateur troupes have risen.