Temples of Angkor: Day One

Day One : We jumped right into the heavy- hitters: Angkor Wat , Angkor Thom, and Ta Prohm. 

Angkor Wat- Built in the 12th c. the worlds largest religious structure amazes in two very different ways. You are first hit with the sheer massiveness of the complex. Once you enter you find that every inch is covered by meticulously detailed carvings.  We ran into a group of tourists we met earlier and joined in on their tour. $5 got us a great explanations of events depicted in the bas-reliefs.

Angkor Thom (Great City) is a late 12th c fortified complex in which many breath-taking ruins are located. We'll tell you about a few. Bayon is a ruin that encompasses a collection of 54 gothic towers decorated with 216 coldly smiling faces. The enormous faces of a Bodhisattva bear more than a passing resemblance to the king who financed the project.  As you explore Bayon these smiling faces are always peering down on you from up high, the king is always watching. In addition to the faces & towers, Bayon also is decorated with many bas-reliefs incorporating about 11,000 figures in them. This place behind Angkor Wat was our favorite ruin. 

Other places of interest were the pyramid structures of Baphuon and the smaller Phimeanakas which was worth the terrifying climb, the former is currently in the process of being reassembled. In front of those structures is the Terrace of Elephants which was a giant viewing stand for the king and his court to overlook processions through the central square. 

Another favorite was Ta Prohm Aka Tomb Raider since Angelina apparently filmed some scenes there (guess we should watch that now) This place is unlike any other monument of Angkor. It has been swallowed by the jungle and looks much as it did when the French rediscovered it in 19th c. Moss, plants and roots of enormous trees are covering walls and temple buildings.