The Temples of Angkor

Our First View
see all photos »

It seems only fitting that, like in South America with Machu Pichu, we end our three months in SE Asia with a tour of the regions most awesome archeological site.

We'd been anxiously awaiting this part of the trip, and after having experienced the temples we can say that it has been, and will remain, a major highlight of our whole trip.  The Temples of Angkor are amazing!

The temples themselves are about 5 miles outside of the town of Siem Reap.  Since we were not very thrilled about the prospect of renting a bike in 90 degree weather(thanks for the suggestion thought Lily), we opted for the most common method of hiring a remorque-moto (a motorcycle with a carriage attached to the back) for $10 a day.

Day One
see all photos »

The pass system for the park is set up in such a way that if you purchase your three days pass (for an expensive $40) after 5pm you receive free admission to view sunset on that day from anywhere in the temple area.  How could you pass up a free sunset at Angkor Wat?  So, under ominous cloud cover we made our way out to Angkor Wat and arrived at the mote bridge just in time for the sky to open up and absolutely pour on us.  However, not to be detored, we bought some rain ponchos from a child and made our way into the Temple.  Amazing!  We walked across the mote on a huge stone brindge to the outer wall area, through a massive entrance gate and out into a huge open field with the four peaks of the temple placed directly in front of us about 300 yards in the distance.  The interior of the Temple is almost completely open for tourists to walk around and explore as they please.  So, we made our way through the temple, up the steepest, sketchiest stairs we've ever seen, and made it to the second level were we were treated to view of the whole area around the temple with sheets of rain pouring down and the sun dropping below broken clouds in the distance.

Suz Looking at the Sunset
see all photos »

On our second day we decided to try to catch Angkor Wat at sunrise.  So our driver picked us up at 5:00 am sharp and took us back to the temple.  I guess that sometimes, depending of course on cloud cover, the sunrise lights up the shy behind the temple in firry reds and oranges, however this was not what we got.  Not to complain though, because since the sun rises directly behind the temple it creates an increasing more visible silhouette of the temple peaks as it rises.  After some time just sitting in silence watching the temple appear out of the darkness we made our way back inside and continued looking around where we had left off the night before.  Aside from the sher size and awesomeness of Angkor Wat, the small detail of the whole structure creates a profound appreciation for the builders and visionaries of this 900 year old structure.  Along the entire outside facing first floor wall of the building are exquisitely detailed carvings that depict ancient battles and events of the gods (Hindu deities, and predominantly Vishnu) for whom Angkor Wat was constructed.  The Bas-Reliefs (carvings) are over 10 feet tall and span the entire length of each of the 600 foot long sides.  In addition to the exterior carvings, there are also inumerable carvings inlaid into the walls through the temple, as well as many Budda statues that have been covered with bright orange cloth, candles, umbrellas, and flowers.  All in all, a really amazing sight.

Closing Time...Everyone Out
see all photos »

Following our visit of Angkor Wat we were taken into Angkor Tomb and the temple of Bayon.  Bayon basically looks like a enormous heap of rocks from a distance, but as you get closer you realize that all of the stone pillars are adorned with huge rock faces looking in each of the four cardinal directions.  In addition to the faces atop the pillars, their are also a many other of the same faces build into walls within the temple.  In total there are over 54 of the huge faces within the Bayon Temple, and at any given place within the temple there can be as many as 15 faces looking down at you.  The faces are supposedly that of King Jayavarman VII, the Donald Trump of Angkor Temples, and apparently that "Big Brother" of the Khmer people.

Angkor Wat at Sunset
see all photos »

After Bayon we spent a couple of hours touring around the amazing Ta Prohm.  The temple was largely overtaken by the jungle before it was rediscovered and cut back by European explorers.  Though now manicured, the temples are still dotted with enormous trees that surround the ruins with snaking roots.  This temple is best known as the film location of "Tomb Raider," and is without-a-doubt the most atmospheric and amazing place of all of the ruins.

On our second full day of adventure we completed the "Big Circuit" by visiting something like seven other temples in the area.  All of them were really interesting, and all served their own purpose at the time, but to be honest, after seeing so many temples they do start to loose their appeal after four or five.  So their was not much to report about here.

Sunrise
see all photos »

The third day was another adventure all together.  We headed out about six miles from the other temples to Banteay Srei which was home to the most amazing and detailed carvings that we have ever seen.  In addition to this temple we continued another 20 miles on a rough and muddy road to the River of a Thousand Lingas.  The area is known for it's amazing carvings of Vishnu and other Hindu symbols right into the river bed.  We didn't know what we were in for, and were a bit questionable during out extreme drive out, but the area was amazing!  The carvings were almost completely in tact despite the fact that they had water running over them for over 900 years.

Suzo
see all photos »

With a full tour of the area over, we are now off to Bangkok and then onto France to meet up with Sus' parent and sister in a couple of days.  Of course this will not be easy because we have a twelve hour bus ride across the washed out dirt roads of Cambodia.  This is apparently one of the worst driving trips in the world, so wish us luck.

We will soon email you from Europe.  Take care everyone!