Entering the South Gate of Angkor Thom, the capital city of the Khmer empire during the reign of king Jayavarman VII.

Mr. Phann, our tuk tuk driver that took us to the different temples as well as provide some background information.
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One of my favorite temples was the Bayon (1181-1218), it stands in the center of Angkor Thom and has 54 towers and 216 faces of Avalokiteshvara - Lord who looks down.

We were speechless standing in the presence of the towering faces and the muti-level temple designs.


The next morning we hired a 4×4 TIGER to venture out to more remote temples from Angkor Thom.

Our first stop was Banteay Srei (consecrated in 967 A.D.), basically means “citadel of the women”.

Banteay Srei has some of the best carvings of all the temples.

The temple is constructed out of deep red sandstone and some claimed that the carvings were done by women due to the intrique details.

Visitors can buy incense and offered them at the shrines inside the temple.

Next we arrived at Kbal Spean and began a hike up the mountain. I thought it was really funny they have people sweeping the dirt path.

Kbal Spean is also known as ‘Valley of 1000 Lingas’ for the sculptures carved into the riverbed.

Since it was the dry season we were able to observe all the fine details and other carvings along the river banks. It is amazing that the details have not been worn away by flowing water over the years.

The Lingas were believed to fertilize the water of the East Baray and irrigate the rice fields in Cambodia.

Beng Mealea, 77km from Siem Reap on bumpy roads is another temple left mostly untouched after re-discovery. The main gate has collapsed and visitors have to go around to the side opening.

There are many children there which can be hired for a few USD as guides. It is amazing to see them move so freely on these fallen ruins.

The trees have established their hold on every crack and facade in Beng Meala.

Inside one of the main corridors.
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Traditional Cambodian puppet.

A shadow puppet performance in the evening. It was performed in Khmer so we had no idea what was going on, but it was entertaining nonetheless with all the elaborate figures!

















































