We hired our taxi driver from the airport, to take us via tuk tuk on Tuesday morning at 8:30, to visit the Angkor Wat temple complex. “Angkor Wat was built in the 12th century by King Suryavarman II (reigned 1113-1150) of the Khmer empire. The religious complex of Angkor Wat comprises more than a thousand buildings, and it if the largest religious structure in the world, covering some 400 acres.” “The city of Angkor served as the royal center from which a dynasty of Khmer kings ruled one of the largest, most prosperous, and most sophisticated kingdoms in the history of Southeast Asia. From the end of the 9th century until early in the 13th century, numerous construction projects were undertaken, the most notable was Angkor Wat, as a funerary temple to deposit his remains. All of the original religious motifs derivied from Hinduism.” “Angkor Wat is famous for having some 2000 unique celestial nymphs carved into its walls.”
We continued on our tuk tuk visit, to visit Angkor Thom. “King Jayavarman VII built Angkor Thom, as a Buddhist stronghold in the 12th century. At its zenith around 1200, the city was one of the largest in the pre-industrial world, with a population of up to one million in the area. It was sacked in 1431 by Siam, and abandoned by 1609. The Bayon temple is famous for its towers adorned with over 200 massive stone faces. The nearby Terrace of the Elephants is a 350 meter viewing platform for royal ceremonies.” “The Bayon is also known for its bas reliefs depicting historical events and everyday life in the Khmer Empire.”
We visited Ta Prohm, the temple complex made famous by the film Raiders of the Lost Ark. “Built by King Jayavarman VIi in 1186 as a monastery and university, it was left largely unrestored, preserving its lost in the jungle atmosphere. It is 1 km east of Angkor Thom, and home of the iconic “Crocodile Tree” - kapok tree. It is also known for its intricate bas reliefs.”
We visited several other temples in the Angkor Wat Archaeological Site. All were incredible! We had an unforgettable day! We had lunch after visiting Angkor Thom, in a local open air place that our tuk tuk driver recommended. We each had Khmer specialities that were delicious. Angkor Wat - we loved the faces carved on the bridges, the bas reliefs everywhere, the intricate construction… all of it! I couldn’t capture Angkor Wat in photos. It was too vast.
Our last stops were at Banteay Kdei, built in the 12th century and known as “the Citadel of Chambers,” and at Srah Srang, a reservoir built in the 10th century, known as “the Royal Bath.”
