Cambodia Day 5 part c

> And again, enjoy some views of Angkor Wat. 😮

Cambodia Day 5 part b

> More Angkor Wat. Impressive.

Cambodia Day 5 part a

> The big kahuna! Angkor Wat! The signature temple in the Angkor and symbol for Cambodia. It is a Hindu temple complex and the largest religious monument in the world. Measuring 402 acres, originally constructed as a Hindu temple dedicated to the god Vishnu breaking from the Shaiva tradition of previous kings for the Khmer empire. Khmer King Suryavarman built it in the early 12th century. The moat surrounding the temple complex is 1 mile square. We arrived early morning just after it opened. The crowds were still something to contend with but a little less than at peak. Our guide Sam brilliantly took us in on the east entrance to exit to the west. It was like swimming up stream. He was quite adept at getting us to the best photo locations with the best lighting. Took a ridiculous number of photos... enjoy a few for the next few blog entries..

Cambodia Day 4 part g

> We did a fly by past Ta Som Temple ( sorry, no pics ) to end up climbing East Mebon Temple built and dedicated in 953 AD. The unique feature of this temple are the elephants proudly stationed on each corner of each of the 3 levels. Of course we had to climb to the top then scoot our way down. East Mebon is a 10th century temple if Angkor built by King Rajendravarman. It stands on an artificial island at the center of the now dry East Baray. Dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva and honors the parents of this king. It is built in the north-south axis with Pre Rup, Rajendravarman's state temple (we visited this temple next) and on the east-west axis with Phimeanakas palace temple ( will visit tomorrow). Our last 6th and last temple of the day is Pre Rup. The Hindu sunset temple built and dedicated in 961 AD. It is now past 5:00 and very obviously a gathering place to watch the sunset. The place was jammed with people and not good light to take many photos. We gave it consideration to stay but then the realization hit. We would have to scale back down the nearly vertical steps in the dark...and with 100's of people. The look on Carol's face was priceless. She was MORE than willing to leave before dark. ☺️

Cambodia Day 4 part f

> Neak Poan temple, the entwined serpents. The temple is an artificial island built in the middle of 5 pools. Built by Jayavarman VII in the second half of the 12th century. Some historians believe Neak Pean represents a mythical lake in the Himalayas whose waters are thought to cure all illness. Many of the Khmer cane here to be healed. It was so sweltering heat, we all wanted to jump in. Would not have been well received by the temple guards....☺️. Could not resist taking a pic of this cute little girl here with her mother who was selling stuff. It is like running the gauntlet now getting in and out of the temples with all the people trying to sell you stuff. Boy has that changed from 7 years ago!!!

Cambodia Day 4 part e

> Having fun with a headless Buddha and scenes from the ruins of Preah Khan temple.

Cambodia Day 4 part d

> Preah Khan temple. Built in the 12th century by Jayavarman VII to honor his father. The temple is flat in design with a basic plan of successive rectangular galleries around a Buddhist sanctuary complicated by a Hindu satellite temples and later additions. It is largely unrestored. Made it intriguing to climb our way around. Keep hearing the theme song from Raiders of the Lost Ark...