A full day at the temples with local guide Sophea who takes us to three spectacular temples from the Khmer Empire - Ta Prom (yes, Lara Croft and the Temple of Doom filmed here), Angkor Wat, and Bayon. We hear stories of the battles through the period 1100 A.D. - 1300 A.D. between Kingdoms of Khmer (now Cambodia), Siam (now Thailand), Champa, etc. So many influences on this place from India to China, and both Hinduism and Buddhism have played a large role in history.

The only word that comes to mind is: mind-blowing!

Incredible that we can just walk among and through these amazing ruins. And to think about the significance of this place - the largest Hindu/Buddhist monument in the world... AND largest pre-industrial city in the world, with a capacity of a million people at its height. We learn about the narcissistic king at Bayon who, instead of finishing Angkor Wat, chose to build a new temple filled with monuments in his own likeness. Joined by saffron-robed monks of all ages visiting Angkor Wat at mid-day -- and at 39-40 degrees, it could be one of the hottest days I've EVER experienced. Wow.