A Day at the Temples

We woke up early Saturday (like 4:00 a.m. early) to catch the sunrise at Angkor Wat. I had read that it was something to experience -- and a way to beat the crowds. We jumped in a tuk tuk with our guide for the day, Mr. Hong, and at the ticket booth, discovered that other tourists had apparently read the same thing. Thankfully, our guide took us to the back entrance of the temple where we were able to climb to the highest tower and watch the sun rise to the chanting of Buddhist monks. It was an experience I'll likely never forget.

We explored Angkor Wat, originally a Hindu temple built around the same time as Westminster Abbey. What boggled our mind the most: The sandstone blocks from which Angkor Wat was built were quarried more than 50km away. A mind-blowing feat and an amazing site. 

Next was Ta Nei Temple. Luckily for us, our guide hates crowds (ironic, no?) and took us to a secluded temple where we were the only ones walking around, awestruck. 

Then, Ta Keo Temple and Ta Prohm, nicknamed the Tomb Raider temple where ancient stones are cloaked in moss and smothered by tree roots  -- "There is a poetic cycle to this venerable ruin, with humanity first conquering nature to rapidly create, and nature once again conquering humanity to slowly destroy" (Lonely Planet). 

Our day ended at Angkor Thom, a large complex (10 sq km) home to the Bayon, famous for its 54 gothic towers and 216 smiling faces.  

What's amazing is that these temples have only recently been discovered -- and there's more. But land mines and a lack of funding leave ancient history in the past for now. 

More photos to come. In the meantime, fun fact: Mr. Hong was a clue-giver in Amazing Race 13.