Temples of Angkor Siem Reap Cambodia

March 2010
First a mini history lesson:
The Khmer Empire was founded in the beginning of the 9th century.  The first Temple was built to represent Mount Meru, the sacred mythical abode of the Hindu gods.  The grandest temple,
Ankgor Wat, was built from 1113-50. In the early 1900's European explorers discovered and started restoration of the ancient city until the mid 20th century when the Vietnam communists used Cambodia as a staging post and the US responded with large-scale bombing, killing thousands of Cambodians, and giving rise to Pol Pot's Khmer Rouge.  From 1975-1979 an estimated 2,000,000 Cambodians were killed by the extreme Maoist party.  The Maoist party was overthrown by the Vietnamese in 1979.   Since the collapse of the Khmer Rouge in the early 1990's the Angkor area has reopened to the world.  Painstaking clearance of landmines and dense jungle along with restoration and conservation of the temples has opened the area to tourism to this incredible archaeological site.

Angkor Wat ( Built 1113-1150)

We came back to Angkor Wat a second day just to be able to climb up to this tallest tower in the center of the temple.  It was closed to the public the 1st day for cleaning.  We had to "rent" a pair of long pants for Jacqueline and I needed a shirt with sleeves in order to enter this part of the temple.

Apsara (celestial or heavenly dancers) are carved throughout the temple.

Most of the Buddah's heads are missing as treasure hunters have stolen them over the years.

The workers were clearing the water grasses from the moat that surrounds the temple.

Weapon bearing warriors.