We have been waiting for this moment since we first starting planning this trip a year ago. As we enter Angkor Wat through the east gate, Gho Vanda explains that this entrance is less busy in the morning and it gives us much better light for taking photos. He’s right!
Angkor Wat is the largest religious site in the world, four times the size of Vatican City. It was originally constructed as a Hindu temple dedicated to Vishnu, but later transformed to a Hindu temple. It dates to the beginning of the 12th Century, and it may have been the funerary temple of Khmer King Suryavarman II.
We start at the walls. Go Vanda explains the history of Angkor Wat and the bas-relief carvings we see here and will continue to see throughout the site.
To reach the upper levels of the temple there is a steep staircase of ~50 wooden steps. But, it is worth the challenge (both up and down). We see the inner chambers of the temple as well as have a view of the entire site.
We start at the walls. Go Vanda explains the history of Angkor Wat and the bas-relief carvings we see here and will continue to see throughout the site.
To reach the upper levels of the temple there is a steep staircase of ~50 wooden steps. But, it is worth the challenge (both up and down). We see the inner chambers of the temple as well as have a view of the entire site.
One of the fun aspects of the Angkor Wat is the number of aspara’s with different hairstyles which have been sculpted on the walls. A strange point is that the center of the temple is perfectly aligned with true north, as confirmed by the compass on Dan’s iPhone. William jokes that this supports the theory that aliens assisted in the construction. Gho Vanda adds to the fun by having us take crazy tourist photos at the center.
We slowly stroll toward the west gate, taking time to look back at the temple. As we walk across the causeway over the moat there is a fantastic restored head of a naga, or serpent. Wonderful!
Angkor Wat is not an official “Wonder of the World”, but I think it’s a close runner-up.
Angkor Wat is not an official “Wonder of the World”, but I think it’s a close runner-up.
Our next stop is a short gondola ride on the moat surrounding Angkor Thom. It gives us a different perspective of one of the gates, all under the watchful eyes of Avalokiteshvara.
It’s around noon when we stop for a picnic Cambodia-style, at a family run restaurant. We sit on the floor of a raised pavilion as the staff, Gho Vanda and our driver bring out the food and explain what it is and how to eat it. In addition to all the salads and sides a chicken has been bbq’d and cut up for us. We “tourists” avoid the feet, but our driver seems to relish chomping on them. The picnic is an unusual experience and we have fun with it.
We’re back at the hotel in time for some pool time and a shower before we go for High Tea at the Sofitel Hotel. A number of days ago we were invited by Bruce, the Operations Manager for our tour operator LuxeVoyageAsia, to the tea. As only Jim has previously been to a High Tea, we quickly accepted. Bruce and his boss Jeremiah are waiting for us when we arrive at the lovely hotel. While we drink tea and coffee and munch on small sweets and savories we chat with them and learn more about their company and their families. It’s fun to say that we’ve done High Tea but it is not something William and I would do frequently.
It’s around noon when we stop for a picnic Cambodia-style, at a family run restaurant. We sit on the floor of a raised pavilion as the staff, Gho Vanda and our driver bring out the food and explain what it is and how to eat it. In addition to all the salads and sides a chicken has been bbq’d and cut up for us. We “tourists” avoid the feet, but our driver seems to relish chomping on them. The picnic is an unusual experience and we have fun with it.
We’re back at the hotel in time for some pool time and a shower before we go for High Tea at the Sofitel Hotel. A number of days ago we were invited by Bruce, the Operations Manager for our tour operator LuxeVoyageAsia, to the tea. As only Jim has previously been to a High Tea, we quickly accepted. Bruce and his boss Jeremiah are waiting for us when we arrive at the lovely hotel. While we drink tea and coffee and munch on small sweets and savories we chat with them and learn more about their company and their families. It’s fun to say that we’ve done High Tea but it is not something William and I would do frequently.
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