I hold my breath to avoid inhaling the thick dust. I can feel tiny dirt particles building up in my hair. Nevertheless， I am excited and more awake now.
Suddenly， my tuk-tuk driver stops in the middle of what seems to be a large dirt field. He points to my right where I can make out a large， dark shadow in the distance. It is still dark outside， but I can see other tourists hurrying in that direction. I thank my driver and head off.
Along with hundreds of other tourists， I rush up the stone walkway toward the magnificent shadow ahead of me. I am on the grounds of Angkor Wat where local monks from hundreds of years ago once prayed.
I feel a sense of intimidation washing over me as I walk past large shadows of unknown shapes. I can vaguely make out the temple’s silhouette， as the sky above slowly turns blue.
People from all over the world scurry about the temple grounds， calling to fellow travelers to join them once the perfect viewpoint is claimed. I find my spot on a cool stone banister， and wait for what is to come.
As the sun begins to rise， the intimidating shadows around us slowly disappear. The sun’s rays introduce us to one of the most beautiful masterpieces in Southeast Asia—Angkor Wat. The temple is overwhelming in size， and even from a distance I can make out the unfathomable detail on the five towers rising above the entryways.
The shadows around me have now become the shapes of mythical creatures. Below the stone walkway to my left is a large pond of water that reflects the image of Angkor Wat under the glowing sun.
The chaotic buzz begins to disappear and I am suddenly surrounded by silence. We have all finished the race， and our prize is right in front of us.
I sit， admiring the magnificent buildings in tranquility and calmness. In the distance， I can finally hear those insects buzzing.
The leaves rustle in the breeze. As I gaze at the scenery around me， I think， “This is exactly what I wanted to wake up to.”
十一月的一個早晨，我的鬧鍾四點就響了。我睜開眼睛，興奮之情頓時湧上心頭。今天，我將要探訪吳哥那些宏偉的寺廟。