(Nov 2nd)
At Angkor Wat just after sunrise.
The temples of Angkor are said to form the largest temple complex in the world. There are a lot of temples, and they are huge. We got up at the crack of dawn (well, earlier actually) to catch sunrise at Angkor Wat, but were faced with overcast skies and no sunrise. Fortunately the hordes of tourists dispersed after sunrise giving us a few hours of peace to explore the temples. With only one day in our schedule to visit temples, we visited the highlights around the "Small Circuit" -- Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, and the Wat Ta Phrom, the "Tomb Raider Temple" featured in the movie. It's certainly impressive to think that these temples were built by man well before industrialized machines were available. The zoo of visitors somewhat detracted from the experience -- we especially enjoyed some brief moments of solitude at some of the smaller temples and at mealtimes when the big tour groups were at breakfast or lunch.
Towers of Angkor Wat
Climbing the steep steps of Angkor Wat
Crowds through the door of Angkor Wat
Ascending steep steps at Wat Bayon
Faces peer out of the spires at Wat Bayon in the walled city of Angkor Thom
Faces at Way Bayon
Wat Ta Phrom ("Tomb Raider temple") is where the temple meets the jungle. Centuries-old trees have overgrown the stones.
Crazy tree roots at Wat Ta Phrom
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