Today is temple day! First stop: Angkor Wat, the largest Hindu temple in the world and was part of the Khmer Empire, 802 - 1219. It is believed that this was originally used as a place of worship but became a mausoleum after the king's death.
Walking to the west gate: the centre gate was for the king, the gate either side was for the monks, and there are 2 gates for the common folk at either end (see below photo). Of course I used the centre gate!
Outside the centre gate:
Cool carvings in the main gate:
Just inside Angkor Wat:
One of 6 libraries:
At the centre of Angkor Wat are 5 temples:
Cool carvings from the 3rd enclosing wall and galleries:
2nd enclosing wall:
Carvings from the 2nd enclosing wall:
View of the west gate from the second level of the 1st enclosing wall:
Next stop, the walled city of Angkor Thom. We had to cross a bridge to get inside the city: on one side were sculptures of Buddha and on the other were demons.
Buddha Annie:
Demon Annie:
There are 4 faces at the top of the gate:
...and a 3 headed elephant at the rear of the gate:
The temple at Angkor Thom:
Lunch - Hot and sour beef with RED ANTS!
Final stop, Ta Prohm. A ruined temple which is slowly being restored but the iconic trees makes this a special place. The gate house:
Trekking through the bush to the temple:
Asian pose!
The boys of Ta Prohm:
Ahhhh....Angkor Wat! Don't forget that after a hectic day of temples you need to relax at Happy Herbs pizza! Loving the blog Sir. You are indeed a gentleman!
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