Photo Log - 2011/12 - Cambodia
 My first top in Cambodia was the city of Siem Reap which is about 2-3 hours from where I crossed the border from Thailand. This city is basically base camp for visiting the whole Angkor Wat area, and is therefore perpetually packed with tourists. This is the road up to Angkor Wat, which is 5km north of town. On the way to Angkor Wat (Siem Reap, Cambodia - Mon Dec 05, 2011 - 08:23) |
 On the first day I didn't visit Angkor Wat itself but went through a lot of the surrounding area, which has no shortage of other sights. This is Angkor Thom, the largest attraction in the area. It's a walled ancient city that covers around 10 square kms and contains mostly open space (forest, etc) but also quite a few huge buildings. This is the bridge up to the south entrance to the wall, one of 5 entrances into the city. Entering Angkor Thom (Siem Reap, Cambodia - Mon Dec 05, 2011 - 09:52) |
 Bayon is right at the center of Angkor Thom. It's not as large of a building but it's known for the hundreds of faces carved into the structure. Bayon in Angkor Thom (Siem Reap, Cambodia - Mon Dec 05, 2011 - 10:19) |
 This is one of the many faces carved into Bayon. Bayon in Angkor Thom (Siem Reap, Cambodia - Mon Dec 05, 2011 - 10:36) |
 Angkor Thom also has elephant tours that do a small loop through the southern part of the city. Bayon in Angkor Thom (Siem Reap, Cambodia - Mon Dec 05, 2011 - 11:04) |
 North of Bayon are most of the rest of the sights of Angkor Thom. This is Baphuon, the largest building here, tucked into the forest. Baphuon in Angkor Thom (Siem Reap, Cambodia - Mon Dec 05, 2011 - 11:36) |
 It's not only the size of the buildings that's impressive but they almost all have a huge amount of small detail as well. On most of the ruins these carvings cover quite a bit of the whole surface. Baphuon in Angkor Thom (Siem Reap, Cambodia - Mon Dec 05, 2011 - 11:51) |
 From the top you can get a better sense of the size of the building... Baphuon in Angkor Thom (Siem Reap, Cambodia - Mon Dec 05, 2011 - 12:00) |
 Looking back as I leave through one of the east gates of Angkor Thom. Notice all the figures on the bridge - they have an equal number of angels and demons, each occupying one side of the path. Victory (east) Gate of Angkor Thom (Siem Reap, Cambodia - Mon Dec 05, 2011 - 13:43) |
 Ta Keo is another of the major sights in the area. On some of the ruins they've added wooden stairs to make things easier for people but on others you get to experience the steep climbs without any help. Ta Keo (Siem Reap, Cambodia - Mon Dec 05, 2011 - 14:13) |
 Of all the temples this one has been left the most integrated into the forest. It's known as the Tomb Raider temple since it was used for some of the scenes in that movie about 10 years ago. Ta Prohm (Siem Reap, Cambodia - Mon Dec 05, 2011 - 14:50) |
 Many of the rural buildings seem to be built this way - a minimal ground floor (mostly concrete) with most of the living space elevated to the second story.A village on the way to Kbal Spean (Siem Reap, Cambodia - Tue Dec 06, 2011 - 11:28) |
 A lot of things in Cambodia seem fairly functional but rudimentary. This is what a lot of the farmers seem to use. I guess they just removed the horse and replaced it directly with an engine.On the road to Kbal Spean (Siem Reap, Cambodia - Tue Dec 06, 2011 - 11:36) |
 Kbal Spean is a park around 50km from the Angkor Wat area. It's famous for all the carvings done directly on the rock surrounding and within the river, and for the waterfall it contains. The carvings are a representation of Shiva, one of the 3 major gods, and are said to fertilize the river.Riverbed carvings at Kbal Spean (Siem Reap, Cambodia - Tue Dec 06, 2011 - 12:50) |
 Here you can see more of the carvings within the river itself. They call it "the river of 1000 lingas".Riverbed carvings at Kbal Spean (Siem Reap, Cambodia - Tue Dec 06, 2011 - 13:02) |
 Banteay Srey is a little ways away from most of the Angkor Wat area. It's been nicknamed the women's temple, apparently since it is somewhat smaller and covered with more detailed and "delicate" carvings.Banteay Srey near Angkor Wat (Siem Reap, Cambodia - Tue Dec 06, 2011 - 14:31) |
 Everywhere in Cambodia there are little (or bigger) markets, which is where for the most part people find their goods. They are full of stands around this size. The orange case is the cooler that everyone has for water and other drinks. The stand behind that with yellow bottles? That's a gas station.A little shop near Angkor Wat (Siem Reap, Cambodia - Tue Dec 06, 2011 - 15:32) |
 Angkor Wat is within a huge square outer wall that spans around 1500m per side. The wall is surrounded by a moat which itself is maybe 200m wide. I believe there is only one entrance, on the centre of the west side.The main entrance to the outer wall at Angkor Wat (Siem Reap, Cambodia - Wed Dec 07, 2011 - 07:09) |
 As you pass through the outer wall you enter the huge inner space dominated by Angkor Wat in the distance. It almost doesn't seem that far until you start walking and realize that it's so huge it just appears closer since it's hard to grasp the scale of the structure.Angkor Wat (Siem Reap, Cambodia - Wed Dec 07, 2011 - 08:06) |
 Once you get closer to start to get a more realistic sense of the scale of the building.Angkor Wat (Siem Reap, Cambodia - Wed Dec 07, 2011 - 08:11) |
