Siem Reap is just south (about 6km) of Angkor, the ancient capital of the extensive Khmer empire. The temples of Angkor are awe-inspiring; intricate carvings and inscriptions adorn each wall and pillar and gigantic moats and reservoirs surround the temples and cities. It's so hard to believe that this incredible architectural feat was accomplished with the use of elephants and human hands alone. Before this trip we knew little to nothing about them so we're glad we visited. It was a "wet season" day but we didn't let it stop us as we pedaled our way to the temples we wanted to visit around the 26 km. complex.
Welcome to Angkor! We were soaked from our ride in the monsoon rain.
Mike in the rain in front of Angkor Wat, the world's largest religious building.
A beautiful Buddha statue at the entrance of Angkor Wat in one of the huge walls. While Angkor Wat began in as a Hindu based temple built by Suryavarman II in the 9th century to honor his deity Vishna, it later morphed into a Buddhist temple with future kings turning to Buddhism. A lot of the temples still have Hindu-esque carvings and sculptures.
A little monkey lives at the top of Angkor Wat. Those intricate carvings manage to cover almost every single wall face of every single temple or building without seeming overdone.
Angkor Wat was a sacred temple to which only the king, servants, and people of high rank were allowed access. Angkor Thom was more like a gigantic walled city surrounded by a large moat and thick high walls that normal people used for everyday life.
Mike and I at Bayon, the main complex inside Angkor Thom. Bayon is famous for it's 216 giant faces carved in the pillars that start down at you with creepy faces.
Carvings and dilapidation at Bayon.
Some temples have been well maintained and the subject of heavy restoration, while others, like Ta Prohm, have been left to nature. This giant tree has taken root as the jungle squeezes in.
Monks climbing over the rubble at Ta Prohm.Incredible...even in the intermittent rain.
1 comment:
OK. You win, the things you are seeing are older than the very old things that we are amazed by.
We are headed out on our own today, in a manual transmission no less. That will be our biggest adventure maybe. But Hans has coached us well in how to get along in every day life here so we hope to get fed and find bathrooms when we need them. You haven't said anything about the bathroom in SE Asia. I'll be looking forward to hearing about all those small daily differences you have experienced. Mom
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