Amazing Angkor

So they say it's better late than never. Here's some pictures from my not-so-recent trip to Siem Reap last May.

To me, the ruins of Angkor being a UNESCO world heritage site is a must do in one's lifetime. A great experience! but unless you have an immense interest in Khmer history, culture or architecture, two days exploring this ancient city is sufficient to appreciate it fully. A great tip - if you arrive after 5pm and buy a ticket for tomorrow (USD20), you can enter Angkor today for free.

Do buy a guidebook to Angkor - but only at Angkor itself - there are swarms of child peddlers offering guidebooks and souvenirs for sale. So bargain! I bought mine for USD5 but was later offered the same book for USD2 at the end of my trip.

To get around the Angkor cities, we hired a tuktuk for USD10 a day which took us from one site to the other. A tuktuk decently fits 3 persons.

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Phnom Bakheng

This is where i begin my journey. At the foot of the hill which at the top stands the temple Phnom Bakheng. Great sunset views, apparently

After an arduous climb uphill, finally - the sight of the temple

Only 1001++ more steep steps to go!! I hope the sunset waits for me. These steps are narrow, steep and high. Quite a challenge for someone like me (ie. not a fan of heights)Sunset! I've seen more beautiful sunsets out of my office room window. The sun sets overlooking the Tonle Sap
Devata (female deity)

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Angkor Wat

The world's largest religious monument and said to be the grandest of all Khmer temples which was also a city. An architectural masterpiece.
Bright and early at Angkor Wat. It's not even 6am yet.

bas relief - Khemr art on the walls depicting scenes from Hindu epics. the walls are completely covered with carvings like these Angkor Wat is a pyramid of 3 levels. The steps are steep and narrow. Makes me wonder if people then were smaller and had smaller feet.

at the top of the stairs. I have made it!

A nice pic of Angkor Wat taken with the point&shoot function of my Sony camera

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Bayon

the complex of face towers.

The Linga. Stylised image of a phallus representing the essence of the god Shiva. Hmm...

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Preah Khan

Temple & university built 1191

The heads of these guards crudely hacked off and probably now being displayed by 'collectors'

root of life amid the ruins

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Ta Prohm

it's now about 3.30pm. By now, if you've seen one temple, you've seen them all...

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Banteay Srei

The exquisite ' Citadel of the Women' is a small and unique temple 20kms north of Angkor. We had to pay the tuktuk driver an extra USD5 after much haggling.