Fabulous Angkor Wat and Preah Kahn, Cambodia
We had the next three days to explore the ruined city (really a series of cities) built between 9th-13th centuries by Khmer kings and some of the other carved stone temples, sculptures and bas-reliefs scattered over 155 square kilometers.. I really think everyone knows (or has heard) about Angkor but nonetheless:
- Angkor Wat itself was constructed in the mid-12th century, is surrounded by a moat and dedicated to the Hindu God, Vishnu.
- Its form is a massive "temple-mountain." The temple is one of the largest monuments to religion ever built.
- There are about 2,000 Apsara carvings and bas-reliefs depicting historical wars of Suryavarman along with stories and Hindu mythology. The bas-reliefs around the walls of the outer gallery are 2kms/1+ miles long and tell stories of Vishnu and Suryavarman II's successes on the battlefield. My favorite part of Angkor Wat.
Everyone in the group but us got up very early for sunrise on Angkor Wat. We met them there around 7:00 am and just stood there is awe watching the thousands of tourists there for the sunrise pour out across the moat and either eat breakfast at one of the stands across from it, or head back to their hotels and come back later.
So much in seven years. There are now wooden stairs (opened just a month ago) over the very narrow stone steps. Massive reconstruction by both Japanese and German projects. A main ticket booth to buy a 1-day, 3-day or 7-day ticket. An instant photo is taken of you and minutes later, the pass printed out showing your photograph. Don't even think of trying to sneak into any of the temple compounds. There are guards at every entrance and you must continually show your ticket. The guards check the photo and expiration dates very carefully.
Back to the hotel and a walk into Siem Riep for a light lunch at Viva Mexican Restaurant. (Viva has two locations about two blocks apart in town). Walked back for the intensive afternoon sightseeing.
Preah Khan, constructed by Jayavarman VII in the late 12th century was the first temple. A huge monastic complex with wonderful images, the greenish color on some walls...View image... and the only cylindrical columns throughout Angkor Wat. Preah Kahn originally served as a Buddhist monastery and school.
Neither of us remembered whether or not we saw this temple in 1999 but it was worth seeing now. Very beautiful and I loved the Cambodians around and in the temple compound. Whether it was selling pineapple...
...musicians inside the Temple grounds playing traditional Cambodian music and trying to sell their own c.d.'s...
...or, on the way out, this little girl, just standing there with a "critter" on her shoulders. She never begged, never asked for money, but just stood there quietly smiling. Of course, everyone dropped a few Cambodia rials for taking photographs. I still am not sure what the "critter" was. A possum? Raccoon? Didn't have a clue and all our guide could tell us was that it came from the forest and lived in a tree.
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