Cambodia - Siem Reap

We spent 2 days in Siem Reap
visiting temples in the Angkor complex..
the history, the ruins, the religion...
that was pretty amazing...

Compare to the other two places,
this area is cleaner...
It gets tons of visitors from
Europe, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, China...
so it's maintained better!
Here is also where you can get $4US hour foot/body massage :-)


entering Angkor Thom from the South Gate!


the famous happy face in the Bayon Temple ^_^
Bayon is a well-known and richly decorated Khmer temple
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 center of Jayavarman's capital, Angkor Thom.


Vicky & Doug at the Bayon Temple in Angkor Thom.


Phimeanakas is a Hindu temple in the Khleang style,
built at the end of the 10th century,
during the reign of Rajendravarman, then rebuilt by Suryavarman II
in the shape of a three tier pyramid as a Hindu temple.
On top of the pyramid there was a tower.
It was fun to climb all over the temple...
the stairs are extremely steep!


Elephant ride?
Even the elephant looks Asian! Look at his/her eyes!


Sunset at Angkor Wat!


Ta Prohm has been left in much the same condition in which it was found;
the photogenic & atmospheric combo of trees growing out of the ruins
and the jungle surroundings have made it
one of Angkor's most popular temples with visitors.
The Tomb Raider movie filmed quite a few scenes here!


Banteay Srei Temple is dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva.
It is considered to be the jewel of classical Khmer art.
Built in pink sandstone,
the walls are covered in exquisitely preserved carvings of unusual delicacy.
Because of its small size, fairy-like atmosphere
and extraordinary examples of Khmer sculpture,
this temple is often a favorite with visitors.


Banteay Samré is a mid-12th century temple
dedicated to the god Vishnu.
This was a fun temple, lots of climbing up and down!




Angkor Wat is a temple complex built for the king in the early 12th century
as his state temple and capital city.
As the best-preserved temple at the site,
it is the only one to have remained a significant religious centre since
its foundation - first Hindu, dedicated to Vishnu, then Buddhist.
The temple is the epitome of the high classical style of Khmer architecture.