Siem Reap: Tomb Raider

After Hoi An, we made a short detour to Siem Reap, Cambodia to hoof it through visit Angkor Wat and a couple other temples.  #whattheheck #we’reintheneighborhood

Some (benevolent dictator of) fun facts about Siem Reap:  Siem Reap is located in northwestern Cambodia and is the gateway to the Angkor region, which was the seat of the Khmer empire. 

Also, tuk tuks are the primary mode of transportation  #firsttimeinatuktuk

The Khmer empire flourished from the 9^th to 15^th centuries, during which time the Khmer rulers constructed over 1,000 Hindu-Buddhist temples.  Angkor loosely means “Holy City.”  Most of these temples are little more than ruins now but some have been restored.  The Angkor region is home to the world’s largest religious monument, Angkor Wat. 

Angkor Wat:  The first temple we visited was Angkor Wat, arguably the most famous of Cambodia’s temples and definitely the most well-preserved.  

We arrived at 4:50 AM.  Why, you ask?  I am still trying to answer that question myself.  It was ostensibly to see Angkor Wat at sunrise, which I understand can be an awe-filled sight, but the weather was not quite right the morning we went.  In addition, we arrived later than most and so got spots on the periphery so all my pictures look like this:

Angkor Wat (“Capital Temple”) was built in the as a Hindu temple in the early part of the 12^th century and also served as the capital of the Khmer empire.  By the end of the 12^th century, it had transformed to a Buddhist temple.  Angkor Wat’s distinctive features include its 5 towers with galleries running between them, and a moat.

We also saw some monkeys!!!!  #socool

Angkor Thom:  Next, we visited Angkor Thom “Great City”), which was the last capital of the Khmer empire.  Built in the late 12^th century, Angkor Thom covers 9 square kilometers.  Most of the ruins at Angkor Thom have vast displays of bas-relief depicting the various gods, goddesses, and other-worldly beings from the mythological stories and epic poems of ancient Hinduism (modified by centuries of Buddhism).  Mingled with these images are depictions of elephants, snakes, fish, and monkeys, in addition to dragon-like creatures that look like the stylized, elongated serpents (with feet and claws) found in Chinese art, called “nagas.”

Located in the middle of Angkor Thom is the Bayon, a richly decorated temple with a multitude of serene and massive stone faces located on four sides of each of 54 towers.  #thats216facesfolks

Ta Prohm:  Our last temple was Ta Prohm, which unfortunately may be best known for being the setting for parts of the movie Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, starring Academy Award Winner ™ Angeline Jolie.  Built in the late 12^th century as a monastery, Ta Prohm has been kept pretty much in the same condition in which it was found.  That means that much of the structure is covered in beautiful green moss and green lichen and that many parasitic trees have found a home in and around the stones that make up Ta Prohm.

Unfortunately, we didn’t get to see much of the rest of Siem Reap or any other part of Cambodia.  #illbeback 

Next stop, Ho Chi Minh City!