Temples, Tuk-Tuks and ... more temples!

Our driver, Pang, picked us up next morning in an air-conditioned van to take us to Angkor Wat.  We bought a 3-day Temple Pass for $40, which could be used within 7 days.  We first visited Angkor Thom, built in late 12th century, covering an area of 9 sq km.  Very impressive.  

We were, of course, assaulted by young street vendors offering books, silk scarves, bags and other assorted items. We managed to battle our way through unscathed, then moved on to the Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King.  This was a huge area and was very interesting, except that there were were too many bloody tourists (jumping in front of my camera when I wanted to take a person-free photo) and it was soooo hot and humid.  And we did, of course, get caught by the next lot of vendors and I ended up buying 4 bags and 5 scarves!  Lorraine also bought several bags, and Trev bought a book.  How does this happen, I ask myself every time?


Anyway, back into the van and on to the most famous of the temples, Angkor Wat.  It was built for King Siriyavarman II in the early 12th century as the state temple and capital city.  It is quite amazing, and huge, and several nations have contributed to its upkeep and restoration as part of the UNESCO World Heritage List.  We hired a guide for $20 to take us around the site to explain some of the stories and meanings of the carvings to us.  He was very good, and spoke 4 languages apart from his own language.  Makes us look really uneducated!

We had lunch at one of the little restaurants at the entrance to Angkor Wat, and it was very good.  Again, less than $20 for the 4 of us including drinks.  After lunch, we decided we'd had enough 'culture' for one day, so headed back to our hotel for a swim, then into town for more shopping at the night markets and dinner at a Cambodian Kitchen area near pub street.  On offer were chicken, seafood, 'grilled sexy frog' and, of course, snake.  Lots of atmosphere, people-watching, and good food.


Next day we checked out the Angkor Museum, which was very well laid out, had artefacts and carvings dating from the 6th century, and served a good iced cappucino!  I know this because I finished going through the museum at least half an hour before everybody else, got tired of waiting for them to finish reading every plaque, and I found the coffee shop.  Good move!

We walked back to town via the Royal Residence and gardens, did a little more shopping, dinner in town, then back home to plan our next day .... more temples, perhaps?