Angkor Wat

Despite all the reading and photos, noting prepared me for just how huge Angkor Wat really is.
As we were driving, we saw a body of water that I thought must be a river,
but as we rounded the corner, I realized it was a moat.

The temple complex itself is enormous, each passageway leads to even more.
It felt like a maze. We spent three hours there looking at the beautiful
bas-reliefs, admiring the architecture, soaking up the atmosphere.

Our last day in Siem Reap, we returned to Angkor Wat at sunrise. There were few visitors.
This was a much different visit than our first afternoon in Siem Reap. In the
relative coolness of the morning, we walked though the silent temple and climbed to the top.
The view out over the green of the surrounding area was lovely. We were able
to enjoy the exquisite carvings and sit in peaceful contemplation in the courtyards.
In contrast to the first visit, which felt confusing, I felt that I understood the layout of the
temple and I had a greater appreciation of it. It is huge and majestic. Many of the carvings
are in remarkable condition. This visit felt like a meditation on the temples of Angkor.

-Kathie


Home • Angkor Wat • Angkor Thom • Terrace of the Elephants/Terrace of the Leper King • Bayon • Preah Khan • Neak Pean • Krol Ko • Ta Som • Roluos: Preah Ko/Bakong/Lolei • Prasat Kravan • Srah Srang • Banteay Kdei • Preah Rup • East Mebon • Ta Prohm • Ta Keo • Chau Say Tevoda • Thommanon • Baksei Chamkrong • Phnom Bakeng • Banteay Srei • Tonle Sap • Phnom Krom • Preah Pithu • The Khleangs • Siem Reap